Maddi Patterson, chief of the Sekhmet International Racing Team, shares her aspirations with “From Fire to Frontlines.” Every day in the paddock, Patterson’s journey inspired her to establish her own racing team after ten years in the world of motorsport.
Sekhmet, a deity from ancient Egyptian mythology associated with fire, represents more than just a team name. In 2020, Patterson suffered a devastating accident that resulted in severe burns covering 60% of her body. However, she emerged from the flames, enduring the pain and making a remarkable recovery, much like Sekhmet.
Patterson reflects: “I had to learn to wake up every day with a sense of gratitude. You don’t often get the chance to experience something for the first time more than once. So, the idea of managing an all-female team in a championship dedicated to women, making history, earning respect, and showcasing our abilities was incredibly meaningful to me.”
Unlike many others in the automotive industry, Patterson did not come from a family of racers. She started her journey in motorsport as a “grid girl” and then worked hard in sales, marketing, and presentation areas to eventually become a Team Principal.
During the Prometeon Spanish Round at the Jerez Circuit in April last year, Patterson found herself in a press conference where a new series of exclusively female motorcycle races was announced. It was at that moment that everything clicked for the Australian.
Patterson explains: “It was all a matter of timing, believe it or not. When they announced the Women’s World Championship, I thought to myself: ‘Maybe I should do this.’ I made sure to ask every possible question during that press conference.”
Two weeks later, Patterson attended the TT event and witnessed many of her friends struggling because their teams were not prepared for the dangerous race. It was at that moment that she decided. She thought, “No, I’m going to start the team” and everything fell into place.
The series of races exclusively for female motorcyclists received the green light last October. The series, which is planned to include a pre-season test and six rounds, will be integrated into the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship.
Working in secret while maintaining her full-time job in the paddock, Patterson managed to gather numerous sponsors and partners to turn this dream into reality.
“It was nine months of hard work in secrecy. I’m not exactly sure how I managed it, but after ten years of building, I have a strong sense of confidence.”
“I can’t imagine doing this with anyone else now. We all support each other, creating an environment where everyone feels special and valued. Undoubtedly, there will be disagreements, but it is my responsibility to deal with them and be present every step of the way.”
Established as part of Patterson’s agency, PHNX Powersport Promotions, the Sekhmet International Racing Team secured partnerships with industry entities such as Life & Engines, Females in Motorsport, Click Diversity, and Moto California.
The team will make its debut on June 14, 2024, at the Misano World Circuit in Emilia Romagna. The team’s representative riders will be Lissy Whitmore and Mallory Dobbs.
Lissy Whitmore, a 19-year-old British rider, started her journey in mini bikes and has since accumulated trophies in various motorcycle and kart competitions. In 2019, she obtained her ACU license, propelling her entry into the world of racing on larger motorcycles at renowned circuits like Donington Park.
“I met Lissie when she was 16 years old, as she was a friend of TT rider Dominic Herbertson. I always describe her as a bottle of champagne – full of bubbles and excitement. Knowing her for a long time, I knew she would be the perfect fit for our team because she doesn’t fit the typical circuit racer stereotype.”
“She aspires to do extraordinary things, like participating in the Isle of Man TT one day. Lissie made perfect sense to me. If you provide her with the right tools, she will deliver the desired results. She takes her role very seriously and brings immense value to the team.”
On the other hand, Mallory Dobbs, a 30-year-old American rider, works as a civil engineer during the day and becomes a racer at night. Patterson approached her with determination to join Sekhmet for the inaugural FIM women’s championship.
“I have actually never met Mallory in person, which is quite remarkable,” explained Patterson. “I asked my friends in the US about Mallory and they told me ‘she’s amazing’.”
“She is incredibly skilled on a bike and has the determination to win. Mallory is a person full of spirit and compassion, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t ruthless. She respects who I am and what I want to achieve, and is willing to give her all to help the team reach our goals.”
Patterson doesn’t just characterize Sekhmet as a racing team; they are a united group with a common goal. Based on her personal experiences of struggle and perseverance, Patterson is confident in her ability to serve as Team Principal.
She explained: “I believe experience has meaning. When you spend a considerable amount of time in the paddock, it becomes arduous and demanding. You are away from your loved ones and a significant part of your time is spent on the road.”
“In my position, it is my responsibility to lead by example and uphold the values that I consider important. I often emphasize that the true measure of a leader lies in the values they hold for themselves, not just for others. However, ultimately, we are involved in the world of racing, and that is undeniably an incredibly exciting profession.”
Women’s involvement in motorsport is no longer as scarce as it once was. More women are seeking mechanical roles in factories, young women are venturing more into karting and motorcycling, and more women are achieving victory on the race track.
It is only a matter of time before women take center stage in the world of motorsport, and Patterson is playing a crucial role in paving the way.
“Giving young women the opportunity to see people like them on the starting grid can only bring positive results. Whether as athletes or in support roles, such as journalism or marketing management, there are countless positions available, including engineers and mechanics. The possibilities are endless, in my opinion.”
“The reason many young girls are interested in playing with dolls is because they find comfort within their community. There is nothing inherently wrong with playing with dolls, but from a young age, girls are conditioned to see this as their community.”
“If we truly want to expand our community, we must work to make it more inclusive. We need parents to encourage their daughters by saying, ‘Motorsport is fantastic, cars and bikes are fun.’ This championship is dedicated to challenging preconceived notions and establishing a community that will be seen, heard, and respected.”
With the final list of confirmed participants for the championship, the women’s competition will start in Misano on June 14, 2024, with the riders equipped with identical Yamaha R7 motorcycles. Each round will consist of two races.
© 2024
The thrilling final of the World Cup of Football took place yesterday at the National Stadium. Millions of football fans around the world were eager to watch the showdown between the two best teams of the tournament. The match was intense from the start, with both teams showing incredible skills and determination to win. In the end, the home team emerged victorious, clinching the coveted title.
The game started with a quick goal from the visiting team, surprising the local fans. However, the home team did not let themselves be shaken and quickly equalized the score. The rest of the first half was a fierce battle, with both teams creating several goal-scoring opportunities. The goalkeepers were true heroes, making spectacular saves and keeping the score unchanged.
In the second half, the home team increased the pressure and managed to score the second goal. The crowd went wild with the turnaround in the score and began to believe that victory was near. However, the visiting team did not give up and continued fighting until the last minute. In an incredible play, they managed to tie the game and take it to extra time.
During extra time, fatigue began to affect the players, but none of them gave up. Both teams created several goal-scoring opportunities, but the goalkeepers continued to make incredible saves. It was only in the final minutes that the home team managed to score the winning goal, much to the delight of the fans present at the stadium.
After the final whistle, the players celebrated enthusiastically the title they had won. The fans invaded the field to celebrate with their heroes and the party lasted all night long. The whole city was in celebration, with fireworks and festivities in every corner. It was a historic moment for football and for the host country.
The 2024 FIFA World Cup will be remembered as one of the most exciting in history. The players showed talent and passion for the sport, providing an unforgettable spectacle for the fans. Congratulations to the home team for the victory and to all the participating teams for their exceptional performance throughout the tournament. Football truly is the most beloved sport in the world.
