Melanie Paterson

Melanie Paterson is a Canadian racing driver with a diverse background in motorsports. Before transitioning to racing, Paterson was a three-time Canadian National Champion in alpine skiing, showcasing early talent and passion for speed. She holds a bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph. Paterson formally began her racing career in 1995 after attending racing school. She worked as a mechanic to fund her racing endeavors, initially competing in Formula 2000.

Paterson's racing experience includes competing in go-karts, Legends cars, and the Canadian Formula Ford Championship, where she participated in events like the Canadian Grand Prix, Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres, and the Toronto Molson Indy. In 2000, she finished 11th in the Canadian Formula Ford Championship. Paterson also made starts in the American Le Mans Series.

Beyond racing, Paterson has been involved in various aspects of the automotive world. She was a member of the CART Pace Car Team, piloting official pace cars at CART FedEx Championship Series events. Paterson is also a partner in Driving Unlimited, a driver training company, and has worked as an automotive journalist and stunt driver. She also identified, coached and mentored drivers for an all-woman driver line-up.