Dear Friends,
Here’s hoping you’ll enjoy reading our first newsletter. Some of you have been with us from the start, others may only have just recently heard of us – we’ve taken the liberty of including you in our mailing list since you had expressed an interest in our mission and appreciate your consideration.
Our story is simple, our mission is ambitious: to change the face of the motorsports industry, one girl at a time.
Founded in 2021, the Della Penna Motorsports NextGen Foundation honors the legacy of IndyCar team owner and legend, John Della Penna. Starting as a race car driver after moving to the US from Argentina at the age of 20, John won championships in multiple formula series and eventually founded Della Penna Motorsports. He understood the incredible sacrifices and many barriers to access for motorsports, of which money is just one. He also understood the importance of mentors to up-and-coming drivers and sought to provide opportunities for those who didn’t have the resources to compete. His daughter Michelle was an integral part of his racing life and saw first-hand how little diversity there is in the sport and across the industry.
Our programs focus on the next generation of girls with VIP programs of initiation through racecourse visits and karting programs, karting scholarships those with talent and drive and week-long mentee fellowships in motorsports organizations to learn more about what the industry can offer.
The inaugural VIP event on September 18th at Laguna Seca’s Firestone Grand Prix was a huge success. More than fifteen girls from the Radical Monarchs in Oakland California joined us at the track. The day included a private suite at the Lakebed Hospitality, garage tours with the Andretti Autosport and Vasser-Sullivan teams, driver meet and greets with James Hinchcliffe and Ed Jones and capped off the day with Cara Adams, lead chief engineer and designer for Firestone tires. The Monarchs were curious, inspired and left feeling empowered. A special thanks to the individuals and organizations who opened their arms, garages and doors:
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Cara Adams Firestone Andretti Autosport Arrow McLaren Racing James Hinchcliffe Indy Car
Ed Jones Laguna Seca Weathertech Raceway Vassar Sullivan Racing
Our next meet and greet will be at the Los Angeles Auto Show Nov. 18th-28th https://laautoshow.com where we will exhibit our vintage Indy Car and racing memorabilia. Please reach out to us for details. After the holidays, we’re planning our first ever hands-on, in kart learning experience in the Bay Area with the support of women icons in motorsports. Want to attend? Sponsor? Volunteer? Please contact us! As you know, these programs are expensive and time-consuming. We can count on the community for support… whether it be folks in the motorsports world offering scholarships or fellowships, speaking at events, donating equipment or contributing to costs. We can’t do this without the financial support of our benefactors and corporate sponsors. Please reach out to either Michelle or Susan for details about upcoming events, contributions or sponsorships. We are humbled by the support of the motorsports community and look forward to seeing you soon.
Warm wishes,
Michelle Della Penna Susan Lucas-Conwell
President & Founder Acting Executive Director
mdp@nextgenfoundation.org susanlc@nextgenfoundation.org
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Support Our Program
A Supporter level donation of $100 will get mentioned on the website, the programs, and brochures for the events.
A Benefactor level donation of $500 gets all of that plus opportunities to attend select events.
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DPMS is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to organizations with 501(c)(3) status may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax professional to determine deductibility.
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