by Danielle BAUTZ
Lauren Jonas Fix was born in Detroit—and does have motor oil in her veins. Given the
strong automotive culture of that city, Lauren was exposed to “things
automotive” at an early age. She became her father’s helper at age 10, fetching
tools and cleaning supplies as he maintained and repaired the family cars.
Not surprisingly, Lauren’s father worked in the auto industry. During his career
he worked as an engineer for each of the Big Three automakers. By growing up in an
environment filled with cars and “car talk,” Lauren learned car repair skills
and absorbed other automotive knowledge very quickly. She found that she was not only
learning but having fun in the process.
In 1981, just a year after Lauren got her driving license, she began competing in
performance driving events sponsored by the Sports Car Club of America. In 1982 Lauren won
the Northeast Division Ladies Class. She has been a professional driving instructor since
1983 and now operates the Driving Ambitions performance driving school at Watkins Glen in
Upstate New York.
Lauren graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1985, where she
majored in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing, Economics and
Engineering. That background prepared her for the positions she holds today as Vice
President of Classic Tube, Inc. and board member of Stainless Steel Brake Corp. She is
also on the Board of Directors for both the Mustang Museum and the National Women’s
Automotive Association.
Lauren has established herself as a driving safety expert and is a regular guest expert
on the major television network stations in Buffalo. Lauren has authored two books and
numerous magazine articles. She is frequently called upon as a consultant by major
automotive manufacturers. Most recently Lauren was selected by Ford Motor Company to be a
spokesperson and training consultant for the launch of the 1999 Ford F-Series Super Duty
trucks.
Lauren also keeps her engine running at home as mother of daughter Shelby, 6, and son Paul III, 5. When she’s not racing, Lauren enjoys fitness training and golfing.
Danielle Bautz is the Editor of Living Prime Time