Women Shifting Gears: Samantha Tan and the Rise of Female Car Culture

For decades, car culture has been defined by one image: loud, male-dominated, and competitive. But the narrative is shifting. Women are not just showing up — they're leading, tuning, building, and racing with vision and skill. Among those reshaping the motorsport landscape is Canadian driver and team owner, Samantha Tan.

Samantha Tan: From NASA to Global GT Stages

Samantha began racing at 16 under the National Auto Sport Association. By 2016, she founded ST Racing, stepping up as both owner and driver. Her team won the GT Class Championship in the 24H Series in 2021, and in 2022 she delivered BMW’s first global win with the new M4 GT3 at the 12H Mugello.

As the first Asian-Canadian woman to run a GT racing team at an international level, Samantha has become a role model — not just for aspiring racers, but for anyone breaking into the performance automotive world.

Driving Change: Representation Matters

Samantha’s impact isn’t limited to results. As a BMW M Motorsport Global Ambassador, she champions diversity, mentorship, and representation in motorsports. Her leadership is pushing a new generation of women toward the paddock, the pit lane, and the podium.

Watch the Story Unfold

This video dives into Samantha Tan's journey — from building her team to balancing pressure on and off the track.

Why It Matters

Samantha’s rise is part of a larger story. More women are building engines, designing aero, managing pit crews, and dominating race classes across the globe. Car culture isn't changing — it's evolving. And Samantha Tan is proving it belongs to everyone with the courage to compete.