Vitaly Orekhov's team: women in motorsport and car repair

Vitaly Orekhov is a well-known name in Russian motorsport circles. His team unites not only professional racers, but also talented engineers, mechanics and managers. However, few people know that a significant role in the success of this team is played by women - both behind the wheel of cars and in the workshops where victories are born. This article is not about gender stereotypes, but about the real contribution that the fair sex makes to the world of cars, which has traditionally been dominated by men.

Motorsports and car repair have long been considered "male" fields. But times are changing: today women not only successfully drive racing cars in Orekhov’s team, but also occupy key positions in technical maintenance, logistics and project management. Their participation proves that skills and passion for business more important than gender. In this article, we will look at what opportunities are open for women in the auto industry using the example of Vitaly Orekhov’s team, what specialties are in demand, and how to build a career in this field.

The stereotype that a woman driving is exclusively “the lady behind the wheel of a family sedan” has long been outdated. In Orekhov's team, the girls drive both production cars in rallycross and powerful cars in circuit racing. Their success is based on accurate calculations, endurance and the ability to work in extreme conditions - qualities that are valued in motorsport no less than physical strength.

Women behind the wheel: racers in Vitaly Orekhov's team

One of the most striking names - Anastasia Chernobrovkina, a driver for a team that has proven time and again that speed and skill have no gender boundaries. Her performances in Russian Circuit Racing Series (RCRS) showed: a woman can be no less effective than male racers, especially when it comes to tactical driving and working with the team. In 2023, she finished in the top 5 in her class, ahead of several experienced competitors.

But the racers in Orekhov’s team are not only circuit racing pilots. For example, Ekaterina Smirnova specializes in rallycross, where not only speed is important, but also the ability to feel the car on difficult tracks with gravel and jumps. Her management skills Subaru WRX STI in conditions of limited visibility became legendary among fans. Interestingly, Ekaterina began her career with karting at the age of 16 - proof that early start often determines future success.

🏁 Anastasia Chernobrovkina — circuit racing, winner of RCRS 2023
🚗 Ekaterina Smirnova — rallycross, gravel handling expert
🔧 Maria Kuznetsova — test driver and suspension tuning engineer

It is important to note that the women in Orekhov’s team are not just “participants”, but full-fledged members of the team who undergo the same selection and training as the men. Their preparation includes:

Sim training at professional stands
Physical training with an emphasis on neck and arm endurance
Studying telemetry and working with the engineering staff

Engineers and mechanics: female hands in a male workshop

If the racers are the “face” of the team, then the engineers and mechanics are its “heart”. In Vitaly Orekhov’s workshops, women do everything: from engine settings up to aerodynamic tests. For example, Olga Petrova, Lead Chassis Specialist, responsible for preparing the suspension for racing Nürburgring. Her job involves analyzing sensor data and adjusting shock absorber stiffness in real time - a task that requires intuition as well as technical knowledge.

Another striking example - Tatiana Volkova, expert on automobile electronic systems. In an era when races are won not only on the track, but also digitally, its role is difficult to overestimate. She's setting up ECU (Engine Control Unit), optimization of fuel consumption and even the development of algorithms for driver assistance systems, which are prohibited in most championships, but are used in tests.

Specialty	Sample task	Required Skills
Chassis Engineer	Setting clearance for the highway Monza	Knowledge `CAD`, experience with sensors
Aerodynamics specialist	Splitter testing in a wind tunnel	Understanding CFD simulations
Elektronik	Firmware `ECU` to save fuel	Knowledge CAN buses, experience with Motec

In Orekhov’s team, women engineers make up 30% of the technical staff - this is 2 times higher than the average for the Russian motorsports industry. This imbalance in favor of gender diversity is not an accident, but the result of a deliberate policy: Vitaly Orekhov personally oversees internship programs for female technicians.

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If you're a girl and want to try your hand at motorsport, start by volunteering at races. Many teams, including Orekhov, take assistants to pit stops - this is a great way to understand from the inside how everything works.

Management and logistics: women behind the scenes of victories

Motorsport is not just about racing and repairs. This is a complex system where logistics and management play a key role. In Orekhov's team, women occupy leading positions in management. For example, Yulia Savelyeva, sports director, is responsible for planning the season, negotiating with sponsors and coordinating the work of all departments. Its task is to ensure that on the track the pilots think only about the race, and not about whether the cargo with spare parts will arrive.

Another important direction is PR and communications. Alina Kozlova, the team's press secretary, not only prepares press releases, but also manages social networks, where the audience reaches 500 thousand subscribers. Her work includes:

📸 Organization of photo and video shooting on the tracks
🎤 Preparing pilots for interviews (including anti-crisis scenarios)
📊 Analysis of competitors’ media activity

Interesting fact: it is the women in Orekhov’s team who often act as “brand ambassadors” at events. For example, on Moscow City Racing in 2023, female mechanics conducted master classes for spectators on basic car maintenance. This is not only a PR stunt, but also a way to inspire new motorsport fans.

Why are there so many women in management on Orekhov’s team?

Vitaly Orekhov believes that women are better than men at multitasking and communications - critical skills in motorsport, where every day is a series of unforeseen situations.

Education and career: how to get into Orekhov’s team

If you dream of working in motorsport, Vitaly Orekhov’s team offers several paths:

Internships for students of technical universities (partnership with Bauman MSTU and MADI).
Mechanic courses at the Orekhov racing school (training lasts 6 months).
Open selections for the position of amateur pilots (for example, in the project "Women's Rally League").

One of the most affordable ways to get started is volunteering at races. Many of the girls on the team started out exactly like this: they helped at pit stops, learned from experienced mechanics, and gradually moved into paid positions. For example, Polina Morozova, now a telemetry engineer, joined the team as a volunteer at the Rally "Baltika" in 2021.

☑️ What you need to start a career in motorsport

Learn the basics of a carGet a category B license (or better yet, a racing license)Find a mentor in your area of interest (racing/mechanics/management)Attend at least one race as a spectator or volunteer

Done: 0 / 4

Important nuance: There are no “female” and “male” specialties in Orekhov’s team. A girl can become a mechanic, and a guy can become a PR manager. The main thing is motivation and willingness to learn. For example, Elena Vasilyeva I joined the team as an accountant, but after a year I retrained as a logistician, and after another two, I became the coordinator of the technical team.

Stereotypes and reality: myths about women in motorsport

Despite the successes, women in the auto industry still face prejudice. Let's look at the most common myths - and how they are refuted by the practice of Orekhov's team.

⚠️ Attention: Myth #1: “Women can’t physically handle car repairs.” In fact, modern tools (e.g. pneumatic impact wrenches) reduce physical activity to a minimum. In Orekhov’s team, female mechanics work with the same tools as men and are no less productive.

Another stereotype: “Women are too emotional to race.” However, telemetry data shows that female pilots are often more disciplined in maintaining the trajectory and are less prone to risky maneuvers, which reduces the number of accidents. For example, in the 2023 season, Orekhov’s team riders had 40% fewer fines for dangerous driving than men.

🚫 Myth: "Women don't understand technology"
✅ Reality: Orekhov’s team has 6 of the 10 best customization specialists turbo engines - women
🚫 Myth: "Motorsport is not a woman's hobby"
✅ Reality: The audience for women's racing is growing by 25% annually (data FIA)

Key Takeaway: Success in motorsport is determined not by gender, but by preparation. Orekhov’s team proves this in practice, providing women with equal opportunities - from training to participation in prestigious races.

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The main obstacle for women in motorsport is not physical limitations, but psychological barriers and stereotypes. Orekhov’s team is actively fighting them through mentoring and public initiatives.

Inspiring stories: how ordinary girls became part of the team

Many of the girls in Orekhov’s team did not have a motorsport background, but their stories prove: passion is more important than experience. Let's take Irina Lebedeva, who came to motorsport from marketing. Today she heads the department of sponsorship projects and has attracted such partners as Lukoil Racing and Yokohama. Her secret? “I wasn’t afraid to ask “stupid” questions and learn from mechanics. After six months, I already understood technical regulations no worse than men.”

Another story - Anna Kuznetsova, a former physics teacher who now works in aerodynamic calculations. Her transition to motorsport began with a passion Formula 1 and self-education: she studied CFD modeling in the evenings, and a year later received an offer from Orekhov. Today she is responsible for testing new body kits in the wind tunnel.

The general pattern of these stories is:

Start with a hobby (like watching races or working on your car).
Find a mentor in the area of interest (Orekhov’s team has a “Mentorship” program).
Don’t be afraid to try yourself in new roles - even if they seem “unfeminine.”

⚠️ Attention: Many girls mistakenly think that to work in motorsport you need to have a technical education. In fact, Orekhov’s team appreciates soft skills no less hard skills. The ability to work under pressure, communicate with a team and learn quickly is often more important than a diploma.

The future: how Orekhov’s team is changing the auto industry

Vitaly Orekhov doesn’t just give women the opportunity to work in motorsport—he actively promotes the idea of gender equality in the industry. In 2026, the team launched the project "Girls Driving", which aims to train 100 women in the basics of racing driving and vehicle maintenance. Program participants receive:

🎓 Free courses on driving on the highway
🔧 Master classes from team mechanics
💼 Possibility of internship in the structure of Orekhov

Another innovative solution - women's racing series under the auspices of a team, where pilots compete in identical cars Lada Granta Sport. This is not only a sporting event, but also a platform for talent: the best riders get a chance to join the main team.

In the long term, Orekhov plans to:

Increase the share of women in technical professions to 40% by 2026.
Open an educational center for female mechanics.
Create a women's team to participate in 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

These initiatives not only change stereotypes, but also solve the personnel shortage in the auto industry. According to AutoStat, by 2026 there will be a shortage of 15 thousand qualified automobile mechanics in Russia - and women can close this gap.

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Vitaly Orekhov’s team proves that gender diversity is not PR, but a strategic advantage. Women bring new approaches to problem solving to motorsports, leading to innovation and victory.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about women in Orekhov’s team

Can women without experience get into Orekhov’s team?

Yes, but for this you need to take the initiative. Start by volunteering at races or enroll in mechanic courses at the Orekhov racing school. Many of the girls on the team started out this way. The main thing is to show your interest and willingness to learn.

What specializations in motorsports are most in demand among women?

Women in Vitaly Orekhov's team: from motorsport to workshops