American Extreme E team Chip Ganassi Racing has announced their first driver to be enter the 2021 Extreme E all-electric off road series, the off road Trophy Truck Champion and X Games medalist Sara Price has been confirmed as their first signing for the upcoming season.
27-year-old Price also becomes the first confirmed driver for Extreme E outside of the Extreme E Drivers’ Programme, she also become the first female driver for CGR in their 30-year long racing history.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me and something I’ve been working my whole career for. When you think of the name Chip Ganassi, you immediately think about winning. It’s a team I’ve long admired whether it be in INDYCAR, NASCAR, sports cars or rallycross. Chip’s teams define winning.” Price said.
“As a racer, that’s the type of owner you want to race for. He’s a former driver and I’m honored to represent the team while also becoming the first female driver for CGR and Extreme E. The 2021 season seems far away but there is much to be done to get ready in a new form of racing and for the challenges the series presents. It’s a very exciting time not only for myself, but for this championship and the climate and environmental issues it intends to bring attention to.”
She started her racing career with dirt bikes when she only was eight years old, throughout her career she became a 19-time national champion and she also became the first-ever Kawasaki factory supported female driver.
In 2010 she claimed a X Games medal in women’s Super X and in 2012 she made her four-wheel-drive racing debut, for now she is competing in off road in the desert Trophy Truck Championship and also works as a professional stunt driver for the film industry.
“Today’s announcement of Sara Price as a Chip Ganassi Racing driver is significant. Yes, she is a female, but first, Sara is an accomplished race driver.” Mike Hull, Managing Director at Chip Ganassi Racing, said.
“She has proven herself in the all-terrain arena on two and four wheels from a young age. Her next step represents her craft globally with several firsts. She makes Chip Ganassi Racing the first to unveil an Extreme E driver; the first female in the series; and, the first female driver in our team’s 30-year history.
“The series promotes a world’s-first gender equality platform. The teams will each have a male driver counterpart who swaps the driving chore in the same race car ‘at the turn’ by driving head-to-head in multiple heat races to get into the final. Our drivers will unselfishly share in support of each other to get it done on-track and off-track.
“Equal teammates have always defined Chip Ganassi Racing’s culture. Extreme E is about innovation through engagement. Its message to preserve the environment and protect the planet will create social awareness. To be a part of what the future holds in partnership is a very positive step. Our entire team is excited to have such a quality person in Sara to help stimulate team growth.”
Price is one of the many female drivers to be entering the Season One of Extreme E, as the series also becomes the first in the world to have a 50/50 drivers line-up of both female and male drivers. The Season One will include a five-round campaign spread all around the world with a state of the art race format.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Sara Price to Extreme E. As a driver she has already achieved so much and with the support of an incredible team like Chip Ganassi Racing I’m sure she will be a force to be reckoned with behind the wheel.” Alejandro Agag, CEO and founder of Extreme E, said.
“This is a great milestone as Extreme E now has its first confirmed driver. Chip Ganassi Racing has certainly set the bar high with Sara and we look forward to welcoming the rest of our competitor field over the coming weeks.”
