In this episode of the Women's Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell interviews sisters Haylee and Sophya Papp, two young race car drivers making their mark in the motorsports world. The sisters share how their journey into racing began unexpectedly when a gymnastics coach introduced Haylee to quarter midget racing, which later inspired Sophya to join.
They discuss their family’s deep involvement in their racing careers, with their father transitioning from offshore powerboat racing to learning how to set up cars, and their older sister helping with car maintenance. The sisters also open up about the challenges of transitioning to dirt racing, learning to read the track, and developing the mental resilience needed to succeed in the sport.
The conversation highlights the importance of female representation in motorsports, with both Haylee and Sophya emphasizing their desire to inspire young girls to pursue racing. They talk about their 2024 racing plans, including Sophya