Get To Know Our Driver
E. Ryan Cheek
Where it Started
Ryan is an automotive enthusiast who is passionate about racing. Born and raised in Western North Carolina, Ryan’s love for driving started on Appalachia’s curvy back roads.
Getting Revved Up
Early on, Ryan became active with the BMW CCA. She attended BMW’s Performance Driving School and was a regular attendee at the Club’s autocrosses held the BMW Performance Center East.
Intro into Motorsports
Ryan began exploring competitive motorsports through autocross. Right of the line, she took back-to-back season wins in her class with her local club. Although Ryan was dedicated to her autocross competition she explored other areas of motorsport. During which time she enjoyed drag racing, drifting, karting, short course driving, and road course driving.
Building a Race Car
Ryan really enjoyed the thrill, and challenge, of driving on a road course. The need for a dedicated track car quickly became apparent. After a season of searching, Ryan found the perfect car. Within the first few months of ownership the car was transformed into a nicely built track car in her own garage. Focused on safety, a roll bar, racing seats, racing harnesses, and fire suppressant were also installed in the car.
2020
With a fresh track car, Ryan quickly stepped into competition. Due to COVID, the Chasing The Dragon Hillclimb XIV was one of the few events still being held. Always open to trying different areas of motorsport, Ryan ran her first ever hillclimb event. She brought home first place in her class and also set a new class record. As COVID restrictions loosened, she headed to Bowling Green, KY to compete in SCCA’s Time Trials Nationals at the National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park. Competition was fierce at the Nationals event and Ryan placed ninth in her class. A respectable outcome at her first time trials event. It didn’t take long to sign up for her second time trial event. Held at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, this was the last event of the season and the final stop on SCCA’s 2020 Time Trials National Tour. Ryan took the podium, winning third in her class.
2021
2021 started with Ryan’s first time at VIR, which kicked off SCCA’s 2021 Time Trials National Tour. She barely missed the podium, but brought home the “Most Improved Driver” award. Next event, Ryan brought home 1st in class and set a new class record at the Pine Mountain Hillclimb. SCCA’s Time Trial Nationals proved to be frustrating as the car was having braking issues. Ryan tackled the Chasing the Hillclimb once again, and managed to bring home another 1st in class and set another class record. Branching out, Ryan competed in a regional SCCA time trials event at Carolina Motorsports Park and experienced catastrophic mechanical failure during her second practice session on this new track. A fellow competitor offered to let her use their stock 2020 BMW M4 to finish the event. In an unfamiliar car, and at a new track, Ryan placed 2nd in her class. The Team finished the ‘21 season at Road Atlanta at the final SCCA Time Trials National Tour. Ryan brought home 3rd in class and set at new personal best at the track.
2022
Now holding an SCCA Advanced Time Trials License and SCCA Hillclimb license, Ryan continued competing in multiple Hillclimbs and Time Attack events; taking podiums and setting new records. Ryan reset the record for fastest female driver during her third year at the Chasing the Dragon Hillclimb and claimed the coveted “Queen of the Hill” title along the way. In addition to competition, Ryan continued her mission to help raise awareness and funding for the charity Racing for ALS through community outreach events, attending fundraising events, and private fundraising. In addition to driving and fundraising, Ryan & her car were featured guests in the Cars & Coffee of the Upstate- “Women in Automotive” event at Michelin headquarters. She also held her first annual Trunk or Treat featuring race cars and sports cars in her small town of Black Mountain, NC, and attended the 2nd annual Women in Motorsports NA summit.
2023
2023 brought new and unexpected challenges and adventures. The team constantly dealt with mechanical issues resulting in three engine swaps, three transmission swaps, and 2 steering rack swaps . However, with friends & family lending a hand, RCR attended and completed in all but one event of their 12 events scheduled on 2023’s driving/racing calendar. In addition to the scheduled driving/racing events, Ryan volunteered and worked the summit for the 101st running of Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, held RCR’s 2nd annual local Trunk or Treat featuring race cars & sports cars, ventured to new automotive street festivals -often bringing the only race car- and raised double the amount of donations for Racing for ALS than the previous year. 2023 took dedication, hard work, and support. And proved that racing takes grit, on and off the track.
2024
Teaming up with American X Kart, Ryan drove the 2021 American X Kart Crosskart for the 102nd running of Pikes Peak International Hillclimb. The crosskart was also used for the Appalachian Hillclimb Series. Ryan brought home a 3rd in class overall in the series, reset 2 fastest female records and won 2 Queen of the Hill awards. Ryan also competed in Time Attack competitions with the North Carolina region of SCCA, in which she competed alternating between both the crosskart and her Mustang GT at varying events.