In the world of road racing, one individual is making a significant impact in promoting diversity and inclusion. Faye Ho, a dual British and Macau national, has taken it upon herself to invest time, money, and resources into helping young female riders forge a career in the male-dominated sport.
Through her FHO Racing team, Ho has already achieved remarkable success in British Superbikes and road racing. Her vision, however, goes beyond mere victories. She wants to create a platform where female riders feel supported and seen, and where they can compete head-to-head with their male counterparts.
Ho’s initiative is crucial in an industry where diversity is still a significant issue. The FIM’s announcement of a women’s motorcycling world championship in 2024, touted as a “final destination” for female riders, falls short of what motorcycle racing needs to achieve. As Ana Carrasco’s historic world championship win in the World Supersport 300 class in 2018 proves, women can compete and win at the highest levels.
Achievements and Impact
In 2021, Ho took over the Smiths Racing squad, previously run by Rebecca Smith, and has since made a significant impact in British Superbikes and road racing. Her team, FHO Racing, won all the big bike races at the 2022 Isle of Man TT and set a new outright lap record of 136.358mph in the process.
Empowering Female Riders
But Ho’s focus goes beyond racing success. She is determined to give more opportunities to female riders and create a platform where they feel supported and seen. In 2021, she set up an initiative to help three young riders, Charlotte Marcuzzo, Scarlett Robinson, and Holly Harris, compete in the British Junior Supersport Championship and British Talent Cup. This year, she expanded her support to five riders, including:
- 18-year-old Denise Dal Zotto
- 16-year-old Holly Harris
- 18-year-old Scarlett Robinson
- 18-year-old Jamie Hanks Elliott
- 22-year-old Kate Walker
A Vision for the Future
Ho’s vision is clear: she wants to change people’s perspectives and show that women can compete at the highest levels of motorcycle racing. Through her FHO Racing team, she is providing young female riders with the support and resources they need to succeed. Her involvement is already having a noticeable impact on motorcycle racing, with more girls and women taking notice of the opportunities available to them.
“I think that’s the most important thing,” Ho explains. “A lot of these girl riders, they weren’t actually seen or even heard of while they were racing in British Superbikes or other categories. So, I just want people to take more notice of them and what they are doing.”
With Ho’s steady approach and dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion, the future of road racing looks brighter than ever.
(Source: Motorsport.com, June 2023)
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