Women in Motorsport - Silverstone for International Womens Day - 8 Mar 10

Women in Motorsport gather at Silverstone to celebrate International Women’s Day

Posted: March 8, 2010 7:01 PM

Television presenter Louise Goodman joined some of the leading names in women’s motor sport and their cars at Silverstone on Monday to celebrate their participation in motor sport for International Women’s Day.  

Motor sport is one of the few sporting activities in which men and women compete alongside each other on an equal footing, yet as they make up only 8% of registered licence holders, women are hugely under-represented among motor sport drivers.  

There are, nonetheless, an estimated 50,000 women actively involved in British motor sport, organising events, running clubs and associations, timekeeping, marshalling and fulfilling a host of other support roles without which the sport itself could not continue.  

To celebrate their importance to motor sport, more than 50 female competitors, marshals, officials and volunteers gathered at Silverstone, home of British motor sport and the 2010 Santander Formula 1 British Grand Prix, to support the Motor Sports Association’s Women in Motorsport Group.  

Among the attendees was Go Motorsport ambassador and ITV’s British Touring Car Championship presenter Louise Goodman. Also present was reigning Ginetta Junior Champion and 2009 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year nominee Sarah Moore, the first female driver ever to win a major British motor racing championship.  

Goodman said:
“It was a fabulous experience to come together with all these other women involved in the sport to show that motor sport is not just for the men. I really hope that this inspires more girls to consider the sport; one of them might just turn out to be the new Jenson Button!”  

Sue Sanders, Chairman of the MSA Women in Motorsport Group, said:
“This has been a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the diverse range of roles that women undertake within the sport at all levels. We believe that motor sport is truly fair and equal but there is plenty of room for more women. We hope that this gathering will celebrate those already involved and stimulate others that may be interested in getting started.”  

MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton said:
“Motor sport still tends to be seen as a male-dominated activity, so we need to create female role models to inspire the next generation. We are seeing a substantial increase in female participation among the junior ranks, especially with the Let’s Go Karting initiative that gives young people a first experience of karting for just £5. Similarly, the Go Motorsport message that we are taking to schools across the county is aimed equally at girls and boys.”  

Louise Goodman to attend Silverstone event for International Women’s Day

Posted: March 1, 2010 8:24 PM

Television presenter Louise Goodman has confirmed her attendance at the Women in Motor Sport event at Silverstone on March 8th.  

Goodman, ITV’s Formula 1 pitlane reporter from 1996 to 2008 and current presenter of the channel’s British Touring Car Championship coverage, will join a host of female competitors, marshals, officials and volunteers at the home of British motor racing on International Women’s Day to celebrate the important role played by women in motor sport.  

Motor sport is one of only a very few sporting activities in which men and women compete alongside each other on an equal footing, yet as they make up only 8% of registered licence holders, women are hugely under-represented among motor sport drivers.  

There are, nonetheless, an estimated 50,000 women actively involved in British motor sport, organising events, running clubs and associations, timekeeping, marshalling and fulfilling a host of other support roles without which the sport itself could not continue.  

Prior to her broadcasting career, Goodman worked in PR and managed media relations for Formula 1 drivers such as Mika Hakkinen, Jean Alesi, Johnny Herbert, Martin Brundle, Eddie Irvine and Rubens Barrichello. She also worked as Press Officer for the Leyton House Formula 1 team for three years and was Head of Communications at Jordan Grand Prix for five. At the 2006 British Grand Prix, Goodman became the first woman ever to take part in a Formula 1 pitstop.  

Goodman said:
“I am delighted to have been invited to Silverstone to celebrate the achievements of women in motor sport. Of course, it would be great to see far more women behind the wheel but we must also recognise the huge numbers that are involved in the sport in other ways.”  

Sue Sanders, Chairman of the MSA Women in Motorsport Committee, said:
“I am thrilled that Louise will be able to join us at Silverstone. She is one of the most high-profile women within the sport, having worked in Formula 1 and on TV for many years. Her presence will add a great deal to the event on March 8th, which I hope will inspire more women to become involved in motor sport at all levels.”

Women in Motorsport to gather at Silverstone for International Womens Day

Posted: February 24, 2010 12:53 PM

The Motor Sports Associations Women in Motorsport Committee is inviting women that are involved in UK motor sport to convene at Silverstone on Monday March 8th in recognition of International Womens Day.

Motor sport is one of only a very few sporting activities in which male and female compete alongside each other on an equal footing, yet with only 8% of registered licence holders being women, the female sex is hugely under-represented among motor sport drivers.

There are, nonetheless, an estimated 50,000 women actively involved in British motor sport, organising events, running clubs and associations, timekeeping, marshalling and fulfilling a host of other support roles without which the sport itself could not continue.

To celebrate their importance to motor sport, female competitors, marshals, officials and volunteers are being encouraged to attend a photocall at Silverstone, the home of British motor racing and the 2010 Formula 1 Santander British Grand Prix. Drivers are being asked to bring their race or rally cars and trophies to the event, while marshals and team members should wear their overalls or team shirts.

Sue Sanders, Chairman of the MSA Women in Motorsport Committee, said: This is a fantastic opportunity for us to demonstrate the diverse range of roles that women undertake within the sport at all levels. We believe that motor sport is truly fair and equal but there is plenty of room for more women. We hope that this gathering will celebrate those already involved and stimulate others that may be interested in getting started.

MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton said: Motor sport still tends to be seen as a male-dominated activity, but there is nothing stopping women from rising to the very top of the sport. We are seeing a substantial increase in female participation among the junior ranks, especially with the Lets Go Karting initiative that gives young people a first experience of karting for just 5. Similarly, the Go Motorsport message that we are taking to schools across the country is aimed equally at girls and boys. One of our best female role models at the moment is Sarah Moore, who last year claimed the Ginetta Junior Championship title at the age of 15. I am sure she will go on to even greater heights in the future and in doing so will help to inspire a new generation of female racing drivers.

Details of the event are as follows:

From 11am all parties convene at Silverstone in the car park next to the Paddock Diner
12 noon cars moved into position on start/finish straight
12.20pm final call for participants
12.30pm photo call
12.40pm event ends, cars moved from circuit

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