I Want to be Someone Who Inspires People

It was the International Women in Engineering Day on June 23. This year, we are rolling out a special series for this occasion.

Last year after Maria Herrera’s historical wildcard entry in Moto3 with an all-female crew, we interviewed the master-mind behind it – Aurora Angelucci, the brain behind this wildcard entry, Founder and CEO of Angeluss – Women Sport Management. This season, Aurora introduced three female engineers to her team Angeluss MTA. We are bringing you the stories of these three extraordinary women for this International Women in Engineering Day. We have already brought you the story of data engineer Angela Benavente and mechanic Tania Jaume Rueda. Today, we give you the last installment in the series, the story of mechanic Uxia Rodriguez Nerba.

All photos © Uxia Rodriguez Nerba & Angeluss MTA Team

Uxia was brought to the motorsport through mechanics during her time in high school. Then her curiosity for motorsport locked her fate with mechanics. “My first exposure to motorsport was at the time when I was studying first in high school. I escaped from my classes to go to the mechanics, and the boys from the cycle of my old institute supported me a lot so that I could continue with my dream. What really made me decide to be a mechanic is the curiosity I felt for the motor world and the feeling I had when hearing an engine roar.”

However, Uxia’s dream wasn’t immediately supported by her family. Luckily things all worked out in the end. “At first it was difficult because I didn’t have the support of my family, but I worked hard every day to get to where I am. When my parents saw that this was my dream, they also started helping me a lot.”

Similar to Tania’s story, Uxia also came to ET Racing school to craft her mechanicing skills and first became part of the ETG Racing program where students from the school apply what they learn on track. “My first opportunity came in the world of endurance racing. ETG Racing program helped me contact a team of the 24H of Montmeló last year in which I participated as a mechanic and it was a very enriching experience.” 

Besides endurance racing, Uxia’s early experience through ETG Racing also included rallying. But this season, through Aurora’s program, Uxia came to Moto3, something very different from those car racing experiences. “Last year I participated as assistance in the Palamós classic rally. It’s totally different from what I’m doing right now, you can’t compare it. The size of the pieces and the complexity of the set are two factors that differentiate it.”

Through the workshop at ET Racing school, Uxia learned about the methodology of mechanics. She put in continuous effort and sacrifices to become a better mechanic. Now, she works in the Moto3 paddock towards her long-term goal. “I want to represent women in the world of motorsports, to be an example as a mechanic, and to be someone who inspires people. I have to be constant and work day by day.”

At her third Grand Prix, Uxia welcomed a hard-earned victory with the team, and that has obviously become her best memory so far. “All the experiences I have had so far have been good but the moment of victory in Austin is undoubtedly a moment that has marked me for life.”

We always wrap up our questions with advice for young kids dreaming to be on the technical side in motorsport. Here is Uxia’s advice. “Never give up. If you have perseverance and make an effort every day, you can get where you want, and whoever says otherwise wouldn’t bother you.”

Between Grand Prix weekends, Uxia would rest and study. Now we are in the middle of this long summer break, Uxia would go back to her home in Galicia. She would be enjoying her time with her friends and continuing with her study. We wish Uxia all the best of luck this season and in her future career!

We would like to thank Aurora Angelucci and the Angeluss MTA Team for their support in making the series happen.