WATCH: Your Mom Races Rally Book Launch Discussion
Automotive creator Leslie Hanna speaks during a panel discussion surrounding women in car culture and the new book Your Mom Races Rally by Kelly Conroy. Photos by Mike Gentry.
A panel of groundbreaking women in automotive media agreed that a passion for cars has helped increase their confidence, taught them new skills and empowered them to challenge outdated stereotypes during a discussion in front of a live crowd of more than 100 people.
The event celebrated the launch of the new book Your Mom Races Rally by Kelly Conroy, which stresses the importance for women and moms to prioritize fun in their lives and maintain a sense of individual identity. Other panelists included:
Hearst Autos creative director Mara Balagtas McIlwrath;
Car And Driver senior features editor Elana Scherr;
and content creator Leslie Hanna.
Carrara Media presented the event on International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2026 in Los Angeles. Watch the full video here:
What Happens When We Center Women
The panel touched on several key topics that resonate with themes in the book. Among them were:
Pursuing automotive interests (or any hobby) simply for your own sake
Reclaiming the word frivolous, which is often used to villianize the joy of women
Women spending time on themselves as an investment in their own self-worth
Panelists also shared advice for others who may want to pursue new hobbies, but don’t know where to start. They emphasized the importance of listening to your intuition, and saying “Yes” to new experiences and opportunities without the fear that they aren’t earned or deserved.
Conroy also explained that men have an important power to create change by uplifting women whenever possible. A patriarchal society is based on elevating those in control over others, she said, while a matrifocal society emphasizes equal care that serves everyone.
The panel also shared examples of times they’ve felt excluded or deterred, and gave examples of rules designed without women in mind. Scherr said that the NHRA is in the process of changing a rule that would inadvertently penalize women drivers who become pregnant. Moving forward, they agreed, the rules of motorsports and car culture should be rewritten with the understanding that women are enthusiasts too.
A society that encourages women to seek joy benefits everyone.
“You don’t have to pick between girlhood and motorsports,” said Balagtas McIlwrath. “The beauty is we can have all of these interests.”
Your Mom Races Rally is available now, and you can follow Kelly Conroy and her rally adventures on Instagram here.
Your Mom Races Rally
Motherhood, Motorsports and the Revolution of Fun
A Rally Racing Memoir by Kelly Conroy
Hardcover Book · Motorsports Memoir
Discover the rally racing memoir that rewrites the way we view motherhood, women’s health and the constant need to be “good.”
Kelly Conroy stepped into rally school an exhausted mother of two. She left a racecar driver. Over the next two years, Conroy ditched society’s expectations as the modern mother consumed by sleep schedules and selflessness, and entered into a new era of rediscovering fun. The result is Your Mom Races Rally, a moving memoir about putting yourself first.
Conroy had never driven stick before, let alone competed in a mud-slinging motorsport that regularly sends cars careening into trees. Over the course of two years she prioritized her own joy and sanity, even at the expense of her family’s routine, meal plan and bank account. Conroy attended rally school, wriggled across oil-stained garage floors to upgrade her 40-year old BMW nicknamed “Nessie,” and made her way to the starting line. Along the way, she discovered a vast network of women racers, off-roaders and fellow badasses cheering her on at each step.
This is a story of reclaiming and rewriting your own life. It’s about setting an example for your children by living out your dreams — not someone else’s. For all the moms missing their previous selves, wondering where she went, this is your invitation to set her free again. Follow Kelly on Instagram at @yourmomracesrally.
ISBN: 979-8-9874245-3-7
Press Coverage for Your Mom Races Rally:
Kelly Conroy on the Under the Influence podcast with Jo Piazza (Apple Podcasts)
Kelly Conroy interviewed by Pretty Girl Motorsports
Kelly Conroy interview by the Racers & Riders Newsletter
Kelly Conroy feature article in Road & Track
Kelly Conroy on the Flatirons Syndicate Motorsport Podcast
Kelly Conroy on the Be Differential Podcast (Apple Podcasts)
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