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Gracie Hackenberg has a huge passion for motorsports. She is a senior engineering major at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. She started a collegiate race team at Smith and prepped a 1999 Mazda Miata to compete in the Grassroots Motorsports 2017 Challenge. Gracie began her career in the world of modern racing working at Hale Motorsports while they competed in the Pirelli World Challenge and now works at Donovan Motorsports learning to prepare and modify vintage racecars. By the way, Tim Suddard, editor of Grassroots Motorsports Magazine was a past guest here on Cars Yeah.
SHOW SPONSORS
Covercraft • MetronGarage • Christopher Kimball Financial Services
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
Working hard for something we care about is called stress, but working hard for something you love is called passion.
CAREER & LIFE CHALLENGES
A big lesson I learned happened during my freshman year Smith College. I had always been a good student and athlete in high school, and I actually failed a class and was placed on academic probation. I was embarrassed, thought I was a big failure and didn’t think anyone would ever hire me. I realized that experiences can be more important to me as grades. I spend extra hours working in the machine shop or doing internships, and I am satisfied even if I make a B in a class because I know I have gained skills and knowledge in other ways.
FIRST SPECIAL VEHICLE
My first special car is my 1999 Mazda Miata. I spend all my time and money on that car, and can’t even drive it off the track. I ride my bicycle everywhere I go. I love that car because I have done the work on it all on my own.
BEST AUTOMOTIVE ADVICE
Take as much pride in your tools as you do in your car.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
The RPM Foundation has been an incredible resource for me.
RECOMMENDED BOOK
An Incredible Journey, by Lyn St. James
PARTING WORDS OF ADVICE
If you are a young car enthusiast like I am, find a mentor who is excited to teach you.
WHERE TO FIND GRACIE
Ghackenberg1@gmail.com
SHARE THE INSPIRATION
Your opinion matters, and I will greatly appreciate your support.
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