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From Tourist Laps to IMSA: Lam's Trailblazing Career
22 May
Summary
- Christina Lam learned to drive stick on a Nürburgring tourist drive.
- She built her first three race cars from scratch.
- Lam is the first Asian American woman to compete in IMSA.
Christina Lam's motorsports career defies convention, showcasing a different route to the top. Her entry into racing began during a European vacation at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, where she experienced a tourist drive and simultaneously learned to operate a manual car. This unexpected experience ignited her passion.
Returning to the United States, Lam transitioned from casual driving to competitive racing. She actively participated in autocross and NASA track days before making her official debut in an SCCA race. A significant aspect of her early career involved building her first three competition vehicles herself, fostering a deep mechanical understanding.
Lam's dedication led her through four years of SCCA's Super Tour class before stepping into professional circuits. Her career milestone included competing in IMSA's Michelin Pilot Challenge at Daytona International Speedway, driving an Audi RS3 LMS TCR. This achievement marked her as the first Asian American woman to race in the IMSA series, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
