Michaela Dorcikova and Stefani Mogorović are set to race Academy Motorsport’s No. 1 Ford Mustang at Most, making them the first all-female driver pairing in EuroNASCAR since 2013.
A special entry is going to participate in next week’s NASCAR GP Czech Republic as the all-female driver pairing team of Michaela Dorcikova and Stefani Mogorović are set to share the driving duties of Academy Motorsport’s No. 1 Ford Mustang at Autodrom Most.
The news was announced by EuroNASCAR yesterday, revealing the plans for Dorcikova and Mogorović’s historic outing. The “hero girls” will be the first all-female driver pairing in EuroNASCAR since 2013, which saw series pioneer Carole Perrin and renowned French female rally driver Caty Caly join forces to race Autosport 42’s Chevrolet Camaro at Nogaro.
“For the first time since 2013, the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series will feature two fast female racers sharing the same car for an exciting EuroNASCAR event,” announced the series on its official website.
“Michaela Dorcikova and NWES debutant Stefani Mogorović will drive the #1 Academy / Alex Caffi Motorsport Ford Mustang. The Slovakian has plenty of experience behind the wheel of a 400-horsepower V8 beast, while Mogorović will make her debut after experiencing the unique NWES car during a test day with the team in early 2023.”
Dorcikova and Mogorović’s participation is the latest achievement in a series that has a rich history of female driver participation. Not only did EuroNASCAR feature a Lady Trophy special classification in EuroNASCAR 2, every season in the NASCAR era has featured at least one female driver on the grid.
Some female drivers have achieved noteworthy achievements during their time in the sport. Most notably, Perrin and Julia Landauer have scored a podium finish.
Perrin is the only female driver to do so in EuroNASCAR PRO while Landauer, the only one to do it in EuroNASCAR 2, currently holds the record for the highest championship finish for a female driver – fifth in the 2020 EN2 season.
Eight-year veteran and three-time Lady Trophy winner Arianna Casoli currently holds the record for the most starts in EuroNASCAR 2 while the late Nathalie Maillet shaped the sport’s future as she was the main driving force of Circuit Zolder’s inclusion to the EuroNASCAR calendar.
Dorcikova herself has become a series regular in recent years thanks to her constant part-time outings. After making her debut with Alex Caffi Motorsport in 2019, she returned with Academy – the continuation of Alex Caffi Motorsport – when Most was added back to the calendar in 2021.
She had planned to return at some point in 2022, but injuries from a scary accident in rallying left her unable to fulfill those plans. Thankfully, Dorcikova recovered for the 2023 season and after an outing with Bulgarian Team at Valencia, she is set to be back behind the wheel of an Academy Motorsport car at Most.
“My first race in EuroNASCAR was with Alex Caffi’s team and we continued the journey in 2021 with Academy / Alex Caffi Motorsport,” said Dorcikova to euronascar.com. “So I am more than happy to rejoin the ‘ragazzi’ for my fourth ever appearance in the EuroNASCAR championship, as the team feels like a family.”
“In 2021 at Most we achieved two podium finishes in the Challenger Trophy together. I definitely want to build on that success, especially when I finally get to race on a track I have raced on before.”
“Even though I’m missing a lot of miles in the car compared to the rest of the field, the NASCAR GP Czech Republic will somehow be a home race for me as I live in this country. I will certainly enjoy the atmosphere on my home track and the competitiveness in the EuroNASCAR PRO category. I will do my best on the track to fight for the podium again.”
Stefani Mogorović, who celebrated her 20th birthday on 22 June, has had plenty of experience in the race cars herself. Having started racing from the age of 3, Mogorović is a rising star at the local Croatian racing scene where she primarily competes. The EuroNASCAR round at Most is scheduled to be her first outing in the international scene.
“I expect fair fights, a good pace with the car and a great time on the track and with the team,” said the 20-year-old to euronascar.com. “My goals are small for me, so my goal is to finish both races and be happy with my results and improvement.”
Mogorović’s talent had been noticed by the Academy team, who invited her for a test at Cremona during the pre-season. Academy’s owners Alex Caffi and Federico Monti were on site to see her tune in her first laps behind the wheel of an EuroNASCAR stock car, giving her a long lasting impression that she will not forget.
“I’m really delighted!” said Mogorović to Istarski.hr after her test in March. “I was received extremely nicely with my colleagues. On the first day, we spent almost all of our time getting to know the car.”
“The inside looks like a ship! Everything is kind of huge. I’m used to a small driver’s compartment, so it’s a slightly different environment. The control mechanisms are specific, especially the gearbox. After all, it is that basic, pure technique.”
“I’m satisfied with what I achieved as I’m only two seconds slower than the drivers who are already part of the teams in the NASCAR series. I am especially pleased to have been invited by one of the leading teams and to drive in the car driven by Jacques Villeneuve in the 2021 season!”
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