American driver Amanda Sorensen is a pioneering figure in modern motorsport, seamlessly competing at the highest levels of both drifting and off-road racing. Her career, ignited by childhood races against her brothers, has led to historic milestones, most notably becoming the first female driver to podium in Formula Drift. We recently had the chance to chat with Amanda, here’s her story.
All photos ©️ Amanda Sorensen
Amanda Sorensen’s racing career started with racing her brothers. Once she had a taste of the adrenaline rush of a side-by-side battler, her professional path was set. “Motorsports was kind of a family hobby that turned into a career. My dad used to race a long time ago. I have two brothers. When we were young, we were racing each other in go-karts. Afterwards, we went into off-road racing, and I’m now in drifting. No matter where we are racing, I was always racing against my brother, Brandon. He had always taken it upon himself to challenge me to be better and has been a good mentor.”
Since focusing on drifting, Amanda has made history by becoming the first female driver to stand on the podium in Formula Drift in 2024. In the 2025 season, she has also expanded her horizon, taking her drifting campaign overseas. “I’ve been competing in Drift Masters as a wild card in Poland and Ireland, as well as in Drift Spain. It’s crazy to see the difference in the culture overseas versus in America. America is very entertainment-based. Overseas, the fans are very loyal, clinging to their driver. The fans there are definitely expressive.”
The fans and the atmosphere around me have been a very good influence and motivation. My team and my sponsors are very supportive, and they all want to see a female driver go pro.
Earlier in Amanda’s career, she had extensive experience in off-road racing. Since the 2023 season, she reconnected with this foundation by making her debut in Extreme E with Chip Ganassi Racing. “I grew up racing off-road. There was a pause for a while because of the amount of focus that we put into drifting. When Chip Ganassi Racing called for me to race in Extreme E, I was really excited, because I’ve always had a passion for off-road racing. It’s so fun.”
Juggling drifting and off-road racing simultaneously throughout the season requires her to flex different skill sets. “Drifting is very mentally tough, while the off-road racing is more physically tough. When it comes to drifting, it’s a judge-based sport. You are always working against the judges. When racing in the Extreme E and Extreme H. It’s more racing against the clock. So they’re very different from each other. The communities are very different as well. Because of the diverse driving opportunities I’ve had, I have a quick way of adapting to new vehicles and different atmospheres.”
Drifting has a high demand for mental strength, but all motorsports have that crucial mental element in delivering high performance. Amanda has recognized this and has been actively working on this aspect of her training. “I can be very self-critical, being tough on myself. Sometimes I can let the pressure and the nerves get to me and affect my performance. In drifting, there’s no room for error, so I need to work on it. I’ve worked with mental coaches to learn how to channel it into growth rather than pressure.”
The industry is changing now, and women in motorsport are very relevant. There’s a lot of support that you can find from brands. Previously, it was very hard to find the funding as a female driver.
Besides simply being a driver, Amanda has cultivated a strong social media presence as an influencer in fitness, fashion, and motorsport. For her, this is an extension of building an authentic personal brand. “My approach was more about the authenticity. It wasn’t necessarily about focusing on growing my social media because of sponsors and brands. My focus was on allowing me to connect with the fans and the partners. I’m very intentional about what I share, and I just focus on representing brands that align with who I am, staying true to my lifestyle, and my values.”
Looking ahead, Amanda aims to secure a long-term position with a top-tier drifting team. Her goals are to continue progressing, winning, and representing female drivers on the global stage. We wish Amanda all the best of luck in her endeavours!
Paddock Sorority 
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