Completing the third week of SCCA Women on Track and the Sports Car Club of America celebrating Women’s History Month, we present another seven women who are blazing tracks, roads, dirt fields, and autocross courses.
This week, SCCA Women on Track’s profiles run the gamut, from 50-year member Carol Cone to a pair of near-high-school graduates who are not only college bound, but also racing together with their family. There’s also SCCA stalwart Cindi Lux, whose name has become synonymous with top-level performance both in SCCA Road Racing and SCCA Pro Racing. There are plenty more profiles below, so keep reading.
Also, follow along throughout March as daily posts will be made on the SCCA Women on Track Facebook Page, with a weekly wrap-up available here on SCCA.com.
Elizabeth Jolly
New England Region | 8-year member
Program Areas: Solo and Road Racing
Elizabeth, or EJ, is a veteran autocross driver who has begun the transition into SCCA Road Racing. She has completed two Club Racing Experiences and plans to begin racing in the SE30 class next. She advocates for the sport, even tempting her friend Audra Teller into trying road racing. As EJ talked about her second day in CRE she exclaimed, "That was so great! I felt like, man, I can do this, it's OK."
She is a Porsche and BMW aficionado and really likes the community of her new SE30 racing buddies. We can’t wait to see how EJ continues to have #funwithcars.
Madison Kleck
Lone Star Region | 1-year member
Program Area: Road Racing
Madison, or Maddy, Kleck started kart racing in 2018 and has since graduated to SCCA Road Racing along with her twin sister Elise and younger brother Cole. Making it a family affair has given Maddy the opportunity to spend quality time with her family and do something she loves. Maddy has been racing an F4 U.S. Championship car in SCCA’s Formula X class at Motorsports Ranch Cresson and Hallet Motor Racing Circuit, as well as testing with Crosslink/Kiwi Motorsport. She and her sister are graduating from high school this May, and they plan to do more road races this summer, branching out to events beyond Texas. In the fall, Madison will be attending Baylor University and has been accepted into their Engineering Program.
Maddy says that the SCCA has given her the opportunity to do what she loves. “The support, knowledge, and equality in a predominantly male sport has made all the difference,” she said. “I don't feel like a woman trying to compete in a male sport. SCCA has provided an equal playing field that encourages women to compete alongside men.”
Elise Kleck
Lone Star Region | 1-year member
Program Area: Road Racing
Elise Kleck, like her twin sister featured above, started karting in 2018 and has moved up to SCCA Road Racing. In her first Formula X race at Hallet Motor Racing Circuit, she finished on the podium. She and her sister are graduating from high school this May, and they plan to do more road races this summer, branching out to events beyond Texas. In the fall, Elise will be attending Baylor University, studying business and entrepreneurship.
To Elise, the SCCA is an amazing organization that provides knowledge, support, experience, and guidance to its members and drivers. “Where else would a girl who loves cars and racing as much as I do have the opportunity to compete at this level?” she said. “It's because of the SCCA that I can compete and continue to feel confident that women do have a place in motorsports."
Cindi Lux
Oregon Region | 36-year member
Program Area: Pro Racing
Cindi is a smiling face in the SCCA Pro Racing-sanctioned Trans Am Series paddock you won’t soon forget. She started racing in 1987 at Willow Springs in California, and has since won 14 road racing championships with more than 95 victories, over 170 podiums, and well over 50 pole positions. She has spent the last seven years racing in the SGT class with the Trans Am Series in a Dodge Viper. In her 26 races, she’s racked up 10 wins, nine second place finishes, five third place finishes, 13 poles, and set nine track records. She is very grateful for her time with the SCCA and knows the foundation for a successful pro career is thanks to her SCCA Road Racing background, where it all started. We will continue to cheer Cindi on during this – and hopefully many more – seasons of Trans Am competition.
Lauri Burkons
Neohio Region | 34-year member
Program Area(s): Volunteer for Road Racing & Time Trials
In 1989, when Lauri found out that she could participate in motorsports without being a driver, she jumped at the chance. The following year, she became a flagger at her local events and ultimately found her way to professional racing. She served as a Champ Car series flagger and observer in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but also kept active in SCCA Road Racing events.
“I found out what a racing ‘family’ is, so I stayed,” Lauri recalled. “The friendships have developed over time, and there are so many people I would not know or love if I had not been introduced to SCCA.”
This year, Lauri blazed a trail by becoming the first woman appointed as Executive Steward of Great Lakes Division.
We’re looking forward to seeing Lauri continue to be an example and mentor for future SCCA Women on Track.
Carol Cone
Atlanta Region | 50-year member
Program Areas: Solo & Volunteer for Road Racing
Since first attending the Solo National Championships in 1973, Carol has been involved in many aspects in the SCCA, specifically the Southeast Division, behind the wheel and behind the scenes. At 80-years old, she is still autocrossing and volunteering Regionally, and competing at SCCA Solo events Nationally.
Layne Lindemann nominated Carol for this year’s SCCA Women on Track showcase, and had this to say: “She was one of the first women I met in our local Region when I first started coming. When I found out her age and that she was still racing despite not being super competitive, it was my first true understanding of what the SCCA and Solo has come to mean to me. She does it because it's fun. It challenges her. The camaraderie is unsurpassed. And seeing the joy on her face when she is helping a newer driver or a novice is one that needs no explanation. If you've ever had #funwithcars at an SCCA event, experienced a flyer run, or saw a student you taught perform the skill you just showed them, you know the look – and the feeling. If you see Carol at an event, you should definitely take the time to chat with her. And when you leave the conversation having lost track of time in some of her fantastic racing stories, and maybe even learned a thing or two, you will understand what the SCCA has meant to her and the impact they've had on each other.”
Alison Lee
Detroit Region | 5-year member
Program Areas: RoadRally & Solo
Alison started participating in SCCA events by coming to autocross with Sawyer Stone and riding along. After one event, she wanted to get behind the wheel and drive too. After a year of autocrossing together, the pair started competing in RoadRallies with Sawyer navigating and Alison driving, but the fierce competitor in Alison wanted to win, so she traded seats. After switching, their scores dropped, and she was hooked. Two years after her first rally, Alison navigated her way to the 2020 RoadRally National Championship in Stock class, and USRRC wins in 2020 and 2022. Alison has also taken on the role of co-chair for Son of Sno*Drift, carrying on one of the longest-running rallies in the Detroit Region.
"I've always been interested in cars and competition, but never found an outlet for it,” Alison said. “SCCA introduced me to new ways to have #funwithcars and have fun with so many great people."
Want More? Follow Along!
You can find an archive of all women featured in the Women’s History Month showcase by scrolling down on the SCCA Women on Track webpage.
