Throughout Women’s History Month, we’re bringing you a series of articles covering the involvement of women within the Sports Car Club of America®. From autocross to road racing and beyond, women have played an integral role in this Club –without women in motorsports, SCCA would not be as great as it is today.

SCCA's separate and distinct rally programs range from the action-packed, mud-flinging fun of RallyCross® to the peaceful and cerebral challenge of precision competition in RoadRally. Either way, rallying in SCCA has always depended on women.

Within the RoadRally community, it's important to be precisely on time and on course, all the time. Heading up the board that produces SCCA’s RoadRally ruleset is Jessica Toney, who brings a wealth of experience to one of SCCA's most complicated programs. She gets support from other long-time rallyists including Jeanne English, who is a longtime leader in RoadRally efforts in Southern California, and Cheryl Babbe, who publishes Road Rally eNews and has a long history of leadership in Arctic Alaska Region.

"Motorsports has always been a part of our family," Babbe said. "We moved to Alaska in 1973 and I discovered RoadRally in the spring of 1974. I fell in love with the sport. I was in high school and knew many other kids who got involved in rally. I stayed with it, and I started the Arctic Alaska Region, specifically to have a home for RoadRally."

On the RallyCross side, driving stars like Brianne Corn have used SCCA RallyCross as a springboard to events like the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Beginning in SCCA Solo® as an autocrosser, Corn became the third woman in history to win an SCCA Open class National Championship title, doing so in 2011. Then in 2012 she became the first woman to win an SCCA RallyCross National Championship. She then claimed three more RallyCross National Championship titles from 2018-2020.

Rebecca Ruston has been a leader in RallyCross organization in the Pacific Northwest, and has served as RallyCross director for Oregon Region from 2009-2016. Ruston became a RallyCross Safety Steward, then the NorPac Divisional Steward, joined the RallyCross Safety Committee, put on National events, and trained other Safety Stewards and event chairs.

"I think I was given leadership positions because I show up and I do the work," Ruston laughed. "It was more about being a willing worker than anything else."

Even with all that experience – and plenty more as a competitor – Ruston still finds some people haven't gotten the memo.

"I continue to find people in all kinds of motorsport – and life – who assume and treat me as if I'm not as capable and knowledgeable as a man," she admitted, "even when the man interrupting me is actually less capable and competent! I have also had several men like Doug Heredos and Russ Kraushaar who were extremely supportive as friends and mentors. I think they consciously promote women and generally provide mentorship and positive feedback whenever they can."

Asked for her advice on continuing to make SCCA motorsports a place where women can succeed, Ruston's advice is direct.

"We can all make more space for women in motorsport – and the rest of life – by listening and supporting anyone who shows an interest or aptitude," she said. "If you have the ability to be a mentor or facilitator, that's a gift that is very rewarding, no matter the gender of the mentee. Everyone can do a better job of seeing women and including them in the conversation. We're really missing out if we don't welcome anyone who wants to contribute. Celebrate fast women!”

If you’re a woman looking to get more involved in motorsports, consider applying for one of SCCA Women on Track’s 2025 scholarships. Applications are being accepted for the following scholarships through May 31, 2025:

• RoadRally Scholarship
• RallyCross Nationals Scholarship
• Runoffs Volunteer Scholarship
• National Time Trials Scholarship (Time Trials Nationals)

In addition, donations to the SCCA Foundation can be earmarked for SCCA Women on Track via the Foundation’s website. More information about SCCA Women on Track can be found by heading to the groups page on SCCA.com.

Photo by of Brianne Corn earning her fourth RallyCross National Championship title in 2020 by Danial Ebling