Lindsay Rice is a Canadian race car driver. She is also an entrepreneur, brand ambassador, and philanthropist.
What is your story? What do you do and how did you get to where you are today in your career?
I am a 27 year old race car driver from Mississauga, Ontario in Canada. I have wanted to race cars since I was a little girl, and I finally made it happen at 23 years of age. It was a long journey to get into racing for me as I wasn’t sure how to do it as a first-generation racer in my family. One day I made a decision to start volunteering with a race organization, and I remember telling everyone – ‘one day, I will be in one of these cars’. In 2016, I made it happen. I gathered some sponsors, I found an amazing team and coach, and I haven’t looked back since.
Do you have a professional mentor or someone who inspires your career?
I have many mentors in racing – first of all there is Marco Cirone, he is a 5-time Platinum Masters Champion with the Porsche GT3 Cup racing series here in Canada. He has been my coach and partner since the beginning. I have him to thank a lot for helping me get into racing and following in his very reputable footsteps. Another would be female racer Katherine Legge. She races in GT racing in the United States (but originally from the UK), and she is just reeeeally awesome. I enjoy her abilities to fight for podiums and win amongst men in her field. She doesn’t put a huge emphasis on her being female, she simply goes out there and drives – and drives very well. #weraceasequals
What is one piece of valuable advice you would give someone who wants to get into your field?
My piece of advice is to always, always, aaalways put the work in. It is so important to put your head down and really work for what you want in life. Racing is no different than any other job in this perspective. You put the work in behind the scenes to get the results that you want.
If you weren't doing what you are doing now, what would it be and WHAT is holding you back from doing it?
If I wasn’t racing myself, I would probably have my own racing team. The only thing holding me back from this is that I spend too much time focusing on getting in a race car 😊
What is one valuable piece of advice that you would give to women on how to overcome challenges in the workplace?
In order to overcome challenges in the workplace, in society, in life – just be yourself. Stay true to who you are, what traits you hold, and things will always happen for you. The world rewards those who are their own person.
Name three things someone has told you you are good at or what they admire about you.
One: driving – this may be materialistic to some to hear, but this is everything to me. I have been told that I am a good driver with natural talent many times. This makes me so proud because this is my sport. To be good at what my sport is very, very important to me.
Two: hospitality –I have also been told that I am good at taking care of others. This is another thing that matters a lot to me - I cherish my family and my friendships very dearly.
Three: respect – I hold this dear to my heart. When I go racing, my competitors deserve respect on and off the track – just like I do. I have made some great relationships emerge from racing because of that respect.
One quote you live by - personal quote or borrowed.
“Remember when you wanted what you have now” – I love this line. It helps to remind you to stay grounded and appreciate the things that I have and not always try to move forward too fast.
What is one accomplishment you are extremely proud of?
In 2018, I had two first place wins in my Audi RS3 LMS. After I got these wins, I set a personal record in my car at my home track, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. What a feeling. My personal record was a time around the track that was comparable to some top level drives in the US – which is huge for me. This showed me that I can do it – I can fight amongst the pros.. and I will stop at nothing to be driving next to this talent.
What is your secret sauce to success?
My secret sauce is to relax – if you have the talent, let it show naturally. Once you think too much, or get too worked up about something - you may spoil it’s beauty.
What is your hidden skill or talent?
My hidden skill is my creative and artsy side. I come from a family who has worked in development and design of homes, and this is something that I absolutely enjoy doing. When I was younger I would create the blueprints to my ‘perfect home’, and even today I find much joy in interior design.
If you could work or move your career anywhere in the world, where would it be?
If I could move my career to anywhere in the world, I think it would have to be somewhere in Europe – Italy, France, or Spain. This is because racing is very recognized in Europe (also, the Mediterranean is perfection) – there are more professional series and professional drivers to race against. In Canada, we have around 4 top-level professional series, where as Europe has many, many more.
What is the worst and best thing about being female?
I don’t have anything bad to say about being female. I am a driver, I am a creator, and I am a person of society – and there is nothing that is ‘worst’ or ‘best’ about my gender. As long as I am doing what I love (racing, spending time with family, eating), then I am living a happy life as an individual.
When does time pass fastest for you and when does it pass the slowest?
Time passes the slowest when I am working on things I am not passionate about – and I am sure that a lot of people can relate to this. What passes time the most is when I am working on sponsor proposals, my website, online media, and it moves VERY FAST (literally) when I am in my race car. I get out of a 45 minute race, and I feel like ‘it’s over already?’.
In your job, what always sounds like a good idea at the time but rarely is?
Lol. This one is funny. What always sounds like a good idea is me racing anywhere, anytime. Then I remember that there are large costs involved :P
What movie or book character are you most similar to?
Nemo. I am adventurous, I like to break the rules sometimes, but I absolutely adore my family and would be so happy to re-unite with them across the ocean.
If you could broadcast one sentence to every cellphone, tv channel and radio in the world and have it translated to each country's language, what sentence would you say?
Trust your intuition, and never, ever back down from what you believe in.
What are you most passionate about and what do you wish you were more passionate about?
I am extremely passionate about my family, racing, and food. I wish I were more passionate about cleaning my car (I’d rather just drive it).
What is something that you've never been able to do well?
I have never been able to follow pop culture well or even politics or the news. I find that I’d simply rather do what I need to do in life to make sure I am happy.. that I am contributing properly to society and taking care of our earth, and that my family and friends are happy. This is what is most important in my world.
What is the biggest lesson life has taught you?
Cherish. Every. Second. You never know what might happen next.
What doesn't exist but you desperately want/need it?
Teleportation! !!!!!! No space in my life for travel time.
What do you like to do that is traditionally considered masculine?
That one is easy – cars cars cars. Motorsport. Engines. Speed.
In the workplace, what is an innocent mistake you made that had dramatic consequences?
I had a bad spill on track and took out another two cars. This was a time that I had to remember that it happens to everyone, we all make mistakes and have to deal with the outcome. No one is perfect, but it is how we deal with the aftermath that defines us.
What do you think people automatically assume about you when they look at you for the first time?
People definitely assume that I am a fun-loving, affectionate girl, which I am – but they don’t know me with my helmet on. 😊
Connect with Lindsay
Website: www.riceracing.ca
Instagram: @riceracing
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riceracingTO/
Twitter: @riceracingTO