Women In Motorsport month - Molly Pettit
- Drew Bentham
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Our final guest in our women in Motorsport series is Molly Pettit. Molly is known by most people for her stage end interviews on Rally TV, but there is so much more to her story. She caught the motorsport bug early on with the Norwegian car scene which soon grew into a racing career spanning over 10 years, scoring multiple wins & podiums in the process. The crash of 2015 however nearly broke her both mentally and financially which threatened to derail her entire career.
"I closed my eyes and I just threw the car sideways"
When most people think about careers in motorsport, they envision karting, racing, or perhaps media roles behind the scenes. But Molly Pettit's story begins far from the racetrack reaching back to her teenage years, when show jumping was her adrenaline fix.
Molly Pettit's passion for high-energy sports can be traced back to her teenage years. She vividly recalls her early love for show jumping and horse riding, starting at the age of 10. What attracted her most was the thrill of speed and the adrenaline rush , whether she was racing across forest trails on horseback or waiting anxiously on the start line of a sprint race.
“I enjoyed the speed, the adrenaline,” Molly explains. “Horse riding was about going flat out, and I loved the thrill of waiting for the gun or waiting for my turn in the arena that tension, that rush.” Interestingly, her athletic background extended beyond equestrian sports. She also competed in track and field, running sprints like 100 and 200 meters, further fueling her passion for high-adrenaline activities.
Adventure Genes and Early Motorsport Exposure
Molly's family background contributed significantly to her adventurous spirit. "My dad was an adventurer mountain climber, sailor, you name it. I think I got some of that adrenaline gene from him," Molly shares. "My mum, on the other hand, was more cautious, but my family has always valued pushing boundaries."In her teenage years, Molly gravitated toward the car scene in her hometown in western Norway. Surrounded by friends with fast cars like Ford Escorts and Opel Calibras, she found her tribe and a sense of belonging.“Getting my driver’s license was a milestone,” she says. “I was obsessed with street meets, social gatherings where everyone showed off their cars. That environment became my home away from home.”
Her passion for cars and racing grew over the next few years, setting the foundation for her entry into motorsport.
The Road from Street Racing to Circuit Racing
In 2015, Molly made a pivotal decision to move from street racing’s thrills to organized track racing. Her “street racer turned professional” story features multiple milestones:
Transitioning from street cars to dedicated race cars like the Nissan 200SX S14A, which she owned and modified herself.
Participating in Norway’s Gartebil events, a fantastic environment where amateur enthusiasts race on big tracks, sharing a sense of community and support.
Starting a women-only track program, "Girls Go Fast," which empowered female drivers and highlighted her commitment to fostering diversity.
Building her own race cars with the help of friends and mentors, learning mechanical skills along the way.
“Street racing was fun and exciting, but I knew I had to take it on track,” Molly explains. “The environment was supportive, race cars more reliable, and I learned so much about engineering and driving.”
Key Topics
Molly Pettit's transition from show jumping to motorsport
Her journey into rally racing and racing cars
Challenges faced as a woman in motorsport
The importance of passion, resilience, and learning Insights into rally racing, car building, and TV presenting
Molly's Links
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Mollysport
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mollysport/
Website - https://www.mollypettit.com/
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