From Driver to Disruptor: How Alumna Ami Jerger is leading the UK's First All-Female Karting Team
Could you tell me about AJ Racing and what inspired you to start the business?
AJ Racing is the UK’s first all-female owner-driver karting team. The aim is to bridge the gap between beginner-level rental karting and more competitive owner-driver karting which comes just before single seater car racing in the motorsport ladder.
Climbing the motorsport ladder can be daunting and isolating for female drivers in such a male-dominated sport. Having been one of the only girls on the grid for much of my own karting career, I wanted to create a welcoming space where female drivers could develop skills, confidence and a sense of belonging in motorsport.
What is your role in the company and what does your day-to-day look like?
My role is a bit of everything! Some of the things I get up to are hands on, like running karts at the track, driving a truck, building our race awning, coaching drivers, maintaining karts at the workshop.
Some of my roles are more “adminy” like organising upcoming outings with drivers and parents, managing logistics, social media and website design and finance and sponsorship outreach. A big part of my day-to-day is also arranging mechanics which has involved creating opportunities for more women to get involved in motorsport.
What have been the biggest challenges and rewards throughout the journey of setting up the business?
Managing start up costs and balancing my time between running the team alongside my engineering job, which I still do 4 days a week, has been the biggest challenge. The biggest reward has been seeing our drivers progress, not only in their racing but in their confidence as young women (most commonly 12-16).
Every message from someone saying we’ve inspired them or thanking us for a great day at the track makes it worth it!
Ami Jerger
AJ Racing Founder
Why did you choose to study in Sheffield? What attracted you to the University and the city?
I was drawn to Sheffield because of its reputation for engineering and innovation, as well as the friendly feel of the city. It’s a place where industry and creativity mix, and that really appealed to me.
Having the Peak District so close was also a big pull factor having grown up in a small village in the countryside!
I was also torn between studying engineering and medicine so I was looking for medical engineering courses and Sheffields’ version of this, Bioengineering, was the most appealing after visiting some open days.
What course did you study, and were there any transferable skills for what you do now?
I studied Bioengineering MEng with a Year in Industry. The problem-solving, teamwork and project management aspects of my degree have been invaluable although I had never considered starting my own business when I was studying!
Running a race team is like managing an engineering project; organisation and working with people are key!
Did you engage with the Careers or Enterprise Service whilst at University, and how did this help you develop?
I made use of the Careers Service at the university when I was finding my industrial placement. I had a couple of CV review meetings and attended some evening workshops which helped me build confidence in areas like networking, pitching ideas, and developing leadership skills.
I didn’t get involved with the Enterprise service as I wasn’t expecting to ever be a business owner, AJ Racing was a bit of a lightbulb moment!
What are your long-term ambitions regarding your own entrepreneurial endeavours?
I’d like AJ Racing to continue growing and to become a recognised pathway for female drivers from grassroots karting to higher levels of motorsport. We’ve been involved in meetings with female initiatives aimed both below and above us in the motorsport ladder so bridging that gap is something we’re focusing on.
Research has shown that more girls need to progress from indoor karting, where participation is relatively high, to national level karting championships to increase the percentage of women in professional racing.
What does it mean to you to support women in sport?
It’s hugely important. Motorsport has traditionally had very few women competing at the highest levels, and that’s not down to ability. Supporting women in sport means giving them visibility, confidence, and the resources to succeed.
If AJ Racing helps even a handful of young girls believe they l belong in motorsport, that’s a success.
What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned from being part of a start-up business?
That resilience is everything. Things rarely go to plan the first time, and you have to be willing to adapt, learn and keep going even when bad things seem to come at you one thing after another.
Ami Jerger
AJ Racing Founder
Also, people matter – building strong relationships has been just as important as building fast karts!
What do you think the most important skills are to succeed in the start-up industry?
Adaptability, communication, and the ability to see opportunities where others see barriers. You also need to be comfortable wearing multiple hats, because in a start-up no job is too small or too big.
