News 12 is highlighting the contributions of Asian Americans in the Hudson Valley throughout the month of May for our special coverage during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and this week, we are featuring a 16-year-old professional racecar driver.
Chloe Chambers, from Monroe, is a Formula 4 racecar driver and world record setter.
She made the Guinness Book of World Records last year for "fastest vehicle slalom" in a Porsche Spyder - maneuvering through 50 cones at a speed of 47.45 seconds.
"I was adopted from China when I was 11 months old...and got into racing when I was 8 years old," she says. "The Porsche world record was really definitely a highlight. It was just super awesome to get that opportunity and record. To be able to set that world record in itself is really cool."
The young woman is also an ambassador for a nonprofit organization called "Gift of Adoption," which helps place children like Chambers and her two siblings with forever families.
"Adoption has been such a wonderful thing for my family. Without that, I wouldn't have the family I have now," she says.
On the track, Chambers is a strong presence as well, competing against drivers that are mostly Caucasian and men.
"Racing is a predominantly male-dominated sport, just I'm not just representing women, I'm also really happy to just prove that gender or race doesn't play a factor," she says.
Her message to others who may feel different – for whatever reason - is "Live your life, and if you really love doing something, I don't see why any of that should be playing a factor."