About
Erika
Erika Hoffmann is a Canadian racecar driver and winner of the Formula Woman International Driver Search Competition.
My Story
Growing up
Erika Hoffmann is a Canadian race car driver and winner of the 2022 Formula Woman International Driver Search Competition. Growing up in Ottawa, Canada, Erika played a wide variety of sports and always had a strong desire to get involved in motorsports. She started driving locally at Calabogie Motorsports Park in 2019 and was 1st runner up in their GT Challenge Championship. Subsequently, Erika was awarded the “Rookie of the Year” award by the Ottawa Sports Car Club. After that, she started working as a high-performance driving coach and race official as well as a representative/host at many special events, including the Ottawa International Auto Show.
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GT4 Racing
In 2021 Erika started competing in the Formula Woman Competition. A world wide competition open to nonprofessional female drivers, with the hopes of finding raw talent that can be developed into race winning drivers. Competing against a thousand other female drivers from 35 different countries, Erika underwent testing on fitness, driving skills, racing knowledge, car control, adaptability, technical knowledge, media skills, written exams, cognitive and mental performance testing, go-karting, simulator testing, reaction tests and more.
After 4 elimination rounds, Erika finished the finals with the fastest overall time and was named to the GT Cup team. In 2022 Erika raced with the team in the UK's GT Cup Championship at top tracks across the United Kingdom, behind the wheel of a McLaren 570s GT4 car.
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Rally Racing
In 2023, Erika was selected by Canada’s National Sporting Authority, the FIA, and Women in Motorsports Canada, to represent Canada at the International FIA Rallystar Competition in Italy where she raced against finalists from North, Central and South America. Having no previous off-road, or rally driving experience, Erika reached the semi finals against top selected Rally drivers from across the Americas, and finished as the 3rd fastest female.
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Endurance Racing
Erika is also a founder of Slate Racing, a female led, Canadian based racing team that is working to diversify the industry with a core team of female drivers, mechanics and engineers. Making their debut in the Fall of 2023, Slate Racing is striving to promote equality withing the motorsports world.
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Awards &
recognitions
2023
Nepean Sports Wall of Fame Induction
Erika Hoffmann in among the 2023 induction class to the Nepean Sports Wall of Fame. Recognizing her for her international sporting achievements.
2022
Ottawa Sports Awards:
Special Recognition Award
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In 2022, Erika was awarded the Special Recognition Award by the Ottawa Sports Awards for her accomplishments.
2022
Ottawa Sports Car Club:
Competitor of the Year Award
Erika was named the Ottawa Sports Car Club's Competitor of the Year in 2022, for her international racing achievements.
2019
Ottawa Sports Car Club:
Rookie of the Year Award
In 2019, Erika was named the Ottawa Sports Car Club's Rookie of the Year, after placing as runner up in Calabogie Motorsports Park GT Challenge Championship.
Formula Woman Timeline
2022 international competition process
1000 to 75
In the fall of 2021 Erika took part in a local FW assessment. She was assessed on fitness, go-karting, natural driving abilities, technical racing knowledge and media skills.
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In December 2021 Erika was informed she had made the top 75 out of a thousand drivers.
Final 15
In March 2022 Erika went to the UK to compete in the FW Finals. After 2 days of testing at PF International Karting Track, Erika's scores landed her in the top 15.
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The top 15 then traveled to Croft Circuit where they competed in a 1 lap shoot out and the top times moved on.
TOP 10
Erika and the other finalists were then flown to Sweden for the final round of competition.
Under a new panel of judges, the drivers were tested on natural ability, car control under various conditions, implementation of new skills and ice driving.
Beyond the track
NGO Involvement
Building Leaders for Peace
A peace initiative that works with youth in conflict regions around the world.
With a passion for conflict resolution and cross-cultural experience, Erika has also worked as an international delegate for an NGO in conflict regions around the world. Their focus is to promote peace, empower local youth and equip the next generation of leaders with effective tools to bring reconciliation and sustainable peace to their communities, breaking the cycle of conflict.
Coaching
+ Lifesaving
Erika's background comes through lifeguarding, coaching and staff management.
As an Aquatic Supervisor of lifeguards for the City of Ottawa, Erika has led a staff team of 200 lifeguards and supervised multiple city facilities. She has proven her strength as a leader in staff development, coaching, public relations, team building, and emergency management.