Georgian College

6 GEORGIANVIEW 2021 SPRING AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS SCHOOL OF CANADA "I have so many great things to say about Georgian," says Lindsay Rice, a graduate of Georgian College's Automotive Business (Co-op) diploma program. "It provided everything that I needed to start my career and to really immerse myself in the automotive industry." Raised in Mississauga, Ontario, Rice began working in the automotive industry immediately after graduation in 2015. She began her career at McLaren Toronto, before taking on new opportunities with Porsche Canada, the organization she credits with opening the door to her racing career. "I always knew that I was going to get into racing," says Lindsay. "Through Porsche Canada, I was able to be very close to motorsport and it gave me that extra push I needed." While she may have begun her racing career a little later than most, Lindsay was quick to make her mark in 2015 by capturing three of four podiums in her first race weekend behind the wheel of a Porsche 911. Fast-forward to today, and she is now the CEO of Rice Racing, operating the only female-run Audi team in Canada, and the driver of #18 Rice Racing Audi RS3 LMS. But, Lindsay is quick to point out that being an entrepreneur isn't always easy. "Everybody knows it's a hard thing to do, when you put your life on the line every single race weekend, but there is so much other stuff that happens behind the scenes that people rarely get to see," she says. "Every year is a blank slate in motorsport with new sponsorship needs, and even with passion, it can often feel like you're starting a new business each and every year. When you do it all – marketing, sponsorships, finance – it can be tough." While pursuing her dreams in a traditionally male- dominated industry, Lindsay has become a role model. "There is a group of girls who come out to a lot of my races around Ontario, and they'll come to visit me when the races are done," she says. "There may be 15 drivers around me and every one of them is male, but I'm showing them [girls] that I'm still out here doing this, and so can they." Like many others, Lindsay put her racing career on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic this past year. "Staying still is harder than being on the go," she notes, but she found strength in moments of reflection and in focusing inward on the things that she could control. She also discovered the joy of a Honda CB350 motorcycle. Lindsay's advice for future graduates is simple. "There will be struggles, but you've been given an incredible platform for success with your Georgian education, and there is nothing you can't do if you just keep going." RACING INTO THE FUTURE Lindsay Rice, class of 2015 Lindsay Rice in her racing gear, sponsored by Audi Mississauga and Audi of Brampton. Photo credit: Lenssen Photo

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