Motorsport isn’t exactly known for being the most inclusive world—but these drivers and enthusiasts didn’t just show up… they showed up with some of the coolest, fastest, and wildest machines ever built. Strap in, because their stories (and cars) are legendary.
1. Travis Shumake – The 330 MPH Drag Racing Trailblazer
Imagine strapping yourself into a rocket on wheels. That’s life for Travis Shumake, the first openly gay NHRA Top Fuel drag racer. His dragster?
- Over 11,000 horsepower.
- 0–330 mph in less than 4 seconds.
- He literally hit 330.88 mph at the 2025 Arizona Nationals.
- This isn’t just fast—it’s “tear your face off” fast.
2. Charlie Martin – The Trans Endurance Queen of the Nürburgring
Charlie Martin has taken on some of the world’s nastiest endurance races, all while smashing barriers in motorsport.
- She wrangles a Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo in one-make battles.
- She’s also driven a BMW M240i for 24 straight hours at the Nürburgring.
- Endurance, grit, and a V10 screaming at full tilt—absolute legend.
3. Danny Watts – The Prototype Predator
British racer Danny Watts kept his sexuality quiet during his career, but his driving was LOUD.
- Drove the wild Panoz Esperante GT-LM—an American muscle car in European endurance racing.
- Pushed the Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S Le Mans Prototype at insane speeds.
His cars were rare, raw, and ridiculously cool.
4. Mike Beuttler – The OG “Stockbroker Special” Driver
Back in the 1970s, Mike Beuttler was quietly living as one of F1’s only gay drivers—when being out could’ve ended your career.
- His car? A privately funded March F1, nicknamed the “Stockbroker Special.”
- It wasn’t always the fastest, but it was fearless.
Think about it: gay in the macho world of 1970s Formula 1? Straight-up pioneer.
5. Ralf Schumacher – The F1 Winner With a Big Reveal
Yep, the brother of Michael Schumacher. But don’t get it twisted—Ralf was no sidekick.
- Scored 6 Grand Prix victories in Formula 1.
- His coolest car? The Williams FW23, a BMW-powered beast that gave him his first win.
- Decades later, he came out publicly—cementing himself as one of the most successful openly gay drivers in motorsport.
🚗💥 TL;DR – Gay Car Guys Who Went FULL THROTTLE:
- Travis Shumake – Top Fuel Dragster (330 mph rocket)
- Charlie Martin – Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo / BMW M240i endurance racer
- Danny Watts – Panoz Esperante GT-LM & Le Mans Prototype
- Mike Beuttler – “Stockbroker Special” March F1 car
- Ralf Schumacher – Williams FW23 Formula 1 winner
Leave a Reply