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Drifter-turned-rally driver Verena Mei has partnered with TrueCar Inc. to contest the full Rally America National Championship in 2012. Mei, who made her competitive rally debut as a driver at the New England Forest Rally last July in a 2011 Ford Fiesta, has received a boost for her 2012 from TrueCar Racing's newly-launched 'Women Empowered' initiative.

TrueCar Racing's 'Women Empowered' initiative is an extensive, multi-year commitment to support top female race car drivers in premier racing series, along with young rising stars across several developmental racing series.

"TrueCar is built upon the foundation of empowering individuals with the tools and resources they need to become expert car buyers," said TrueCar Founder and CEO Scott Painter. "The "Women Empowered" initiative is an exciting extension of that philosophy – empowering women in racing by giving talented female drivers everything they need to dominate their sport."

In addition to Mei, the inaugural members to the 2012 TrueCar Racing Team include Shea Holbrook (Pirelli World Challenge Series), Ashley Freiberg (Star Mazda Series), Shannon McIntosh (USF2000 Series), and Emilee Tominovich (Pro SCCA Playboy MX-5 Cup Series).

"Despite their considerable talents, women have yet to achieve the sponsorship opportunities, recognition, and championship successes that we believe is their due in the only sport where men and women compete head-to-head," said Charles Kim, Director of Motorsports for TrueCar. "This exciting initiative will change that - placing top women drivers on the world's stage, and providing professional guidance, primary sponsorship support, and exciting new marketing and media opportunities to these talented drivers working their way up to the highest levels of racing."

TrueCar also plans to launch a new young driver development program that will introduce thousands of young women to auto racing at the karting level and then provide support to top championship prospects as they progress through their racing careers from karting all the way up to premier racing series.

The strength of this development program is enhanced by the involvement rally expert Tim O'Neil of the Team O'Neil Rally School in New Hampshire, Michael Zimicki, Marc Miller and other top coaches and advisors.

Mei is expected to start her 2012 campaign at the Sno*Drift Rally in Atlanta, MI this January 27-28.

Photo: WorldRallySport.com | Mat Janiak

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