Episode 90: Julia Landauer (Part 1‪)‬ Victory Lane

She truly is “The Most Interesting Woman in Motorsports.” In the first installment of this two part interview, you’ll learn why. Julia Landauer joins Davey (6:15) to discuss how a young girl from the upper west side of New York City got involved in racing. Not the most common trio out there, is it? But after becoming the youngest female champion in Skip Barber Racing School history (age 14), it was clear she had what it takes.

Landauer attended Stanford University while furthering her racing career, and details why the decision was rather pragmatic despite most drivers opting to forgo higher education. While in school, Landauer competed on the popular reality show “Survivor,” but hid an important aspect of her life. After being voted off (and recalling word for word when she was accused of being “too vanilla”), she reflected on why she didn’t show a big part of who she is and learned why embracing who you really are is the best strategy of them all. She’s learned a lot more lessons, specifically ones at the race track that the classroom can’t teach you.

Plus, why she doesn’t enjoy driving street cars, experiencing cultural “bubbles” in NYC, Stanford, North Carolina and Europe (to name a few) and how being a female in motorsports, while having its challenges, is more rewarding and empowering than having it the easy way.