Meet Professional Racecar Driver & Drifter Amanda Sorensen

It’s no secret: fueled by adrenaline, precision, and grit, the world of racing has long been a boys’ club. But that’s changing, thanks in no small part to Amanda Sorensen.

At just 22 years old, Amanda isn’t just participating in the racing world — she’s rewriting the rules. She is one of the youngest and only female drivers in Formula DRIFT and the first ever to claim a podium position in the league. Whether she’s drifting her way through hairpin turns or navigating rugged terrain in an electric SUV, her presence is a constant reminder that tenacity and talent can go a hell of a long way.

That said, Amanda’s journey hasn’t been a leisurely lap around the block. Navigating the male-dominated and high-stakes racing world isn’t for the faint of heart; it’s taken the kind of relentless drive that Amanda is now known for.

On a recent episode of The Team Ignition Show podcast, host and fellow racecar driver Leticia Bufoni sat down with Amanda to learn more about her story.

Background: Getting Behind The Wheel

A Las Vegas native, Amanda came by her love of racing, honestly. Her dad, Randy Sorensen, used to drive offroad trucks, creating parts and shocks in his own shop as part of the hobby.

It wasn’t until a pit stop on a family road trip that Amanda got her first taste of racing. Driving back to Vegas from Utah, her dad noticed a go-kart track on the side of the road and took Amanda and her brother, Branden, to check it out. Because Branden was nervous about getting behind the wheel, Amanda took to the track first to show him how it was done. Soon after, he followed — and the rest, as they say, is history.

In the years that followed, Amanda’s passion for all things racing only grew. At age 9, she claimed top honors in the Las Vegas regional Rotax MicroMax Championship. When she was 11, Amanda debuted in Mod Karts, which features custom-built mini race trucks. Only three years later, she won her first Polaris RZR side-by-side championship.

When Amanda hit the age of 16, she discovered drifting — something that would set her on one of the most exhilarating career paths imaginable.

Career: Breaking Barriers & Making History in Formula DRIFT

According to Amanda, drifting is “the hardest discipline of motorsports hands down.” Despite its level of difficulty, she soon fell in love with it and began eyeing top-level competition. Working closely with her family, she learned computer-aided design (CAD) and welding as she worked her way up to her ultimate goal: Formula DRIFT.

After years of dedication, practice, and commitment to her craft, she made her Formula DRIFT debut in 2021. In 2023, Amanda joined the Chip Ganassi Racing team in Extreme E, an off-road race division that uses spec electric SUVs.

“We focused on the sustainability side of things,” says Amanda of the experience. “We had these big legacy projects where we would go plant trees or re-establish the wildlife in an area that has been deserted…That was a very awesome opportunity.

As of the 2024 season, she’s not only one of the youngest Formula DRIFT competitors on the roster but one of three female drivers. She is also the first woman to ever achieve a podium finish in the history of the league.

Her fearlessness and leadership for women in racing have helped Amanda stand out to some of the biggest names in motorsports. So far, she’s been invited to compete as a celebrity guest driver in elite competitions like Nitrocross, Monster Jam, and the Freedom 500.

Newest Projects: Taking the Racing World by Storm

Although Amanda has already earned some incredible accolades (and at such a young age), she has her eyes set on the future.

As for her next major racing goal?

“I’m ready to take drifting into Europe. My next goal is to take [the sport] overseas and to continue working here in the United States.”

Beyond that, though, Amanda’s focus is growing her presence on the global stage.

“I want to be known as an international racing driver,” she says. “A huge part of that is not only the racing side of things…but building a personal brand is huge for me.”

For Amanda, a key part of building this personal brand has been social media. With over 2.5 million followers across her various profiles, Amanda uses her platform to inspire and motivate other young women to chase their dreams and explore unconventional career paths — including those dominated by men.

It’s safe to say Amanda’s life is full of twists and turns (no pun intended). With several accomplishments under her belt  — including being the first woman to score a podium finish in Formula DRIFT — she’s cemented her position as a pioneer in women’s racing.

The best part? This 22-year-old is just getting started.

To hear more about Amanda’s inspiring career and her plans for the future, tune into her episode of The Team Ignition Show. In it, she and Leticia Bufoni, host and fellow racing driver, dive deep into Amanda’s history, the demands of the sport, and how to achieve under pressure.

Fun Facts About Amanda

• Amanda’s car number is 12.
• Amanda’s car make is a BMW.
• Throughout her career, Amanda has worked with a number of sponsors, including the U.S. Air Force, Comp Cams, and Enkei Wheels.
• Amanda’s younger brother, Branden, is also a Formula DRIFT driver.
• When she was growing up, Amanda was a figure skater.

Follow Amanda on social media: