Bet Heykoop
Q What do you do?
“I’m a new stunt driver doing donuts around gender expectation in motorsport.”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I’ve trained in a lot of different ways:
1) I’ve completed all levels of training at Motion Picture Driving Clinic at Willow Springs Raceway
2) I have my Novice Racing License through completing Skip Barber Racing School at Laguna Seca
3) I’ve completed Drift101 Drift School
4) I own my own practice car (her name is Lollipop) and I practice with her weekly.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I’M A WOMAN - it’s mostly dudes out there and they literally still put men in wigs for women’s roles as stunt drivers. Other than that, I am a weirdo and enjoy being around other creatives and people who don’t take life too seriously, but must share who they are with the world.
Q What are you working on right now?
I created an interview series called HOT SHIFT where I teach people manual transmission to people who usually aren't centered in the drivers seat in the car world. This series is my love letter to anyone that has felt excluded or "othered" by the car space. I want to show more womxn and queer people behind the wheel, living their best lives, and feeling empowered to exist in the car space that has traditionally not valued us. Also to show the process of learning stick as less intimidating and full of love.
Q What’s your style?
My style is playfulness mixed with really challenging people who say “that’s just the way things are done.” I’m doing this to have fun, and I want to open up the world to others who may have thought to themselves there’s no way they can be in the world of cars/Motorsport.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I always want to focus on driving different cars and understanding how to do sah-weet stunts in all of them.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Generally, just the very little knowledge or recognition or hiring there is out there for woman who are stunt drivers. BUT even those that know - men typically hire their buddies (who are also men).
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Do a bunch of reach out to directors of music videos (mainly for drag queens) to concept something with a car stunt in it.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I would have told myself that anyone who tries to pressure me to fit a mold should be ignored and ran away from immediately - I would have started telling myself this at age 5.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I want to only stunt drive electric cars, so people who are experts in converting classic cars to electric and also people who have the capacity to build and understand electric stunt cars.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Driving for Music Videos, Commercials, TV shows, and Movies.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
They’d be highly creative, decisive, allow me to contribute my own insights, and have patience for the process.
Q What is your rate?
It really depends on the project and what stunt is required.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Love an email or text! Just let me know any detail you have, even if you’re not sure how a car fits into it :) stuntdrivebet.net
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Ru Paul, Kim Petras, Maurice the creator of Bloom and Plume, the designer Yoon Ahn from Ambush.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Collaborations! I love doing things with all kinds of people and finding ways to work in what we both love and create something new :)
This member profile was originally published in July 2022, last updated February 2023.