Tina Schreiber

My name is Tina Schreiber, I was born in Rochester Minnesota, on April 27th.
When I was nine years old my family moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

My mother and I would go out after school and work on her charger. I fit so perfectly under the hood, sitting on the fender. It was the beginning of the dream. The adrenalin rush. The speed. The smell of greasy hands. The car was jet black. As the sun would begin to set, we would hop into the car and head for the beach. There, she would let me sit on her lap and steer. Had I been able to reach the pedals, I would have been drag racing on the strip! I thought I was so cool!

In the early 80’s, my family moved back to Minnesota, and I begin going to the races with my Grandfather. I told him that I was going to be a racecar driver some day. He traveled for an hour every weekend to help encourage my dream. Because the financial resources were not at that time, available to me to fulfill my dream, I sold concessions at a local track just to be close to the sport.

After I graduated from High School, I joined the US Army Reserves where I served in the 417th Maintenance Company. Following the death of my mother, I moved back to my birthplace where I enrolled in the local community college and received a degree in automotive mechanics. I saw myself, at that time, as the honest woman automotive shop owner; the one that spoke respectfully to woman, that inspired confidence. I still hoped to race some day, but I kept my plans to myself.

When I transferred to a military unit in Arden Hills, Minnesota I made the move to Minneapolis. At this time I lost my grandfather. It was pain-full to go to the tracks alone, but I still held on to the dream of becoming the next women racecar driver.

Then it happened; May 25, 2001! I saw a woman; a young, female driver at the Indianapolis 500. She was racing! It all came back; the adrenalin rush. The sound of the speed. The smell of racing. I was there!

I decided that I was going to pursue this dream regardless of cost.

The first step I took was enrolling in the Jim Russell Racing School. I purchased the Grand prix package, which includes the Techniques Of Racing, Advanced Racing Course, and a race weekend. When this is completed I will obtain my SCCA National and USAC racing licenses.

Current funding has been obtained with the help and support of many friends. I’ve been able to finance my dream by selling hand-made “Dreamers of Chance” certificates. I’ve designed and sold many t-shirts. Personal donations have been invaluable to me as I strive towards my goal.

In September of 2001, I traveled to CA to complete the first two courses of the package, leaving me with only the race weekend left.  After only 6 days in a race car I was .03 seconds short of a track record for female racer.

In the meantime, LaFavre Racing Team has been very kind in allowing me to volunteer. I am learning what it takes to be part of a team in the racing industry, while working towards my ride. As I continue to work towards my dream, I am karting at the local track on leagues.

It is my hope that my training will be complete by the end of September 2002. I am determined to become the greatest women driver of all time. I also wish to start a scholarship fund for individuals, who like me, carry the dream of racing within them, but are unable, because of limited financial resources, to realize it.

Every dream has value. I am obtaining my dream. With the scholarship fund, I will help others do the same.