RevolutionMay 2019 The official magazine of “HITTING THE STRIP” PUMPING UP THE VOLUME ON DRAG RACING SUPER 8 FIRST TIMER BRISTOL MC THE FIRST EVER ADAPTING TO ALL-FEMALE NOTES FROM A OFFER AFFORDABLE SCRUTINEERING NEWCOMER & ACCESSIBLE TEAM MOTORSPORT PLUS + PLACE NOTES + WHAT’S ON + NEWS + RESULTS CEO’s MESSAGE THE REVOLUTION “On the subject of inclusivity, I feel passionately that there needs to be a concerted effort, by the motorsport industry as a whole, to do more to support women in our sport” hat’s one of the biggest issues facing At the same time, it’s wonderfully inclusive – the motorsport today? In my opinion, it’s next generation of drivers competing from as that only 5% of competition licence young as eight-years-old. It’s also our most popular holders are female. discipline amongst women, with twice as many W licence holders compared with other forms of I feel passionately that there needs to be a motorsport. concerted effort, by the motorsport industry as a whole, to do more to support women in our sport. In our second feature story we meet the first The launch of W Series is a brave innovation backing ever all-female scrutineering team, who recently some of the top women drivers, and initiatives such volunteered at an Aston Martin Owners’ Club as Dare To Be Different and Girls on Track encourage meeting at Donington Park. Motorsport needs more women to get involved. But motorsport still to take a proactive stance and get behind more falls significantly behind other sports, in terms of initiatives like this. both participation and wider involvement. On the subject of diversity, we’re seeking new The irony is that, compared with other members for our Board and committees from sports, motorsport is one of the few sporting a range of backgrounds. I strongly encourage a environments where men and women can compete, more diverse representation of our sport to drive support and officiate on a level playing field. our organisation forward and build a sustainable future. Please turn to page 11 for more information. In this second issue of Revolution we continue to cover some of the more diverse championships in We hope you enjoy this latest issue. If you have our sport, while bringing you many more stories any comments or feedback on any of these articles, and insights. This month’s cover story, for example, please email [email protected] offers a fascinating look ‘under the bonnet’ of possibly the fastest, loudest and most spectacular Best wishes, motorsport discipline of all – Drag Racing. Hugh Chambers With Top Fuel cars reaching over 300mph in under CEO, Motorsport UK 4 seconds, Drag Racing is an assault on the senses. Revolution - May 2019 3 CONTENTS From Drag Racing at Santa Pod and the first ever all-female scrutineering team at Donington Park, to views of a 28 year-old Clerk of the Course at Place Notes: Gurston Down Goodwood. Welcome to ‘Revolution’. 42 17 32 34 Club Corner 06 Drag Racing First Timer: Latest News - Nicole Woods from page 6 Championship Results 25 Latest results across the different types of motorsport 54 goverened by Motorsport UK Forthcoming Events + National Court + Member Directory + Social Media Snippets + The All-Female Scrutineering Team + Motorsport UK and Guest Columnists… Revolution - May 2019 4 UP TO SPEED LATEST NEWS Member Offer MOTORSPORT UK PARTNERS WITH CASTLE COMBE Motorsport UK has partnered with Members of Motorsport UK can now access Castle Combe Circuit, the West exclusive discounts on tickets to selected Country's home of motorsport, in an events and driving experiences, including all-new partnership that aims to give 10% off race meeting and Rallyday tickets* something back to those who help and 15% off driving experiences**, as part make our sport happen. of an all-new partnership that aims to give something back to those who help make The Wiltshire circuit has been welcoming motorsport happen. fans of racing, car shows and automotive events for over 65 years and has a Castle Combe Circuit’s Head of Sales full racing calendar laid out for 2019 and Marketing, Tom Davis, said: “We – featuring three of its own buoyant are delighted to assist Motorsport UK’s club championships and the Hot Hatch members with some special offers. It’s great Challenge to name a few. to be able to give marshals, volunteers and competitors something extra as a thank- you for helping make our industry such an “We recognise the enjoyable and booming one to be a part of. “We truly recognise and appreciate the importance of the work importance of the work Motorsport UK Motorsport UK is currently is currently performing, and hope that by working alongside them, we can develop performing” and future-proof motorsport as we know it.” Revolution - May 2019 6 LATESTNEWS FORMULA 1® DRIVER GEORGE RUSSELL HEADS UP ‘F1 FUTURE STARS’ JUDGING PANEL Motorsport UK is delighted to announce that Rokit Williams Racing Formula 1® driver, George Russell, will join several of the UK’s leading motorsport media as judges for its nationwide FIA ‘F1 Future Stars’ competition. The competition, open to all karters aged between seven George Natalie Ben Scott and ten years old on Sunday 14 July (the date of the British Russell Pinkham Hunt Mitchell Grand Prix) offers Motorsport UK kart licence holders a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join their F1 heroes on karting at the British Grand Prix; and who their F1 hero the start grid at this year’s Formula 1® Rolex British Grand (past or present) is and why? This should be accompanied Prix, as well as VIP access to the Silverstone Paddock. by a supporting email from their headteacher. Russell, whose own career started in karting, made his The video messages will be reviewed by the ‘F1 Future F1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix in March, having Stars’ panel at the Monaco Grand Prix. The winners will then progressed through the motorsport ranks. His talent was be announced in June. evident at an early age, winning multiple British and Speaking about the grassroots initiative, launched in 2018 European karting championships between 2006 and 2013. by Formula 1 and The FIA, George Russell said: “I am really The Williams driver joins three of the UK’s most respected excited to be a judge for the 2019 FIA F1 Future Stars Formula 1® media on the ‘F1 Future Stars’ judging panel. competition. It is important to support young talent in Russell’s fellow panellists include: motorsport and be able to provide this initiative for karters in the early stages of their careers is amazing. Karting is Natalie Pinkham, F1 presenter for Sky Sports where my journey began, so to have the opportunity to Ben Hunt, F1 Correspondent for The Sun motivate more people to get involved in the sport is a great Scott Mitchell, Autosport Formula 1 Reporter honour.” Motorsport UK is inviting all its kart competition licence Motorsport UK is pleased to announce that eight-year-old holders within the specified age range (and other criteria) Frazer Anderson is the first of its 2019 ‘F1 Future Stars’, to record a short video message (approximately 30 seconds), having secured his place after winning the 2018 Bambino introducing themselves and stating: why they want to be a Kart Championship. ‘F1 Future Star’; what it would mean to them to represent Revolution - May 2019 7 LATESTNEWS TRURO SCHOOLGIRLS DARE TO BE DIFFERENT One hundred schoolgirls descended on Truro High School For Girls in Cornwall earlier this month (1st May) to celebrate the school’s recent ground-breaking recognition as a Motorsport UK club. The students took on seven Dare to be we have been officially recognised Different activities, including: as a Motorsport UK club. It’s been a fantastic experience for the girls to try Changing a wheel on a race car the activities and get close up to a real against the clock with the Pirelli Pit Formula One car. I’m sure it’ll be a day Stop Challenge they’ll never forget!” The girls aged 11-to-12-years-old Fast reaction tests with the Batak from Truro and the surrounding areas, challenge Louise Goodman said,” It was great to meet some of the girls who are arrived at the High School to take part Rasberry Pi challenge and model part of Truro High School for Girls’ in an exciting yet contrasting day of car making courtesy of Software Motorsports Club - the first school club STEM-related activities - as well as Cornwall having a unique insight into potential in the UK to be officially recognised Resuscitation and health & safety future careers within the world of by Motorsport UK - and to work with aspects with registered D2BD motorsport. the Year 7 girls who came along to the medics Dare To Be Different day, giving them Dare To Be Different ambassador and Media training with Louise Goodman a hands-on experience of just some television broadcaster Louise Goodman F1 In Schools showcased its of the opportunities that motorsport was also present in her first official role inspirational learning equipment offers. as Club President. A Mercedes AMG Formula One car “They really threw themselves into Truro High School earned its status was on display for the girls to get the challenges and hopefully had a following seven years competing in a close-up look at a current F1 lot of fun along the way. And they can the Greenpower F24 and F24+ series. machine now say they were right there when a Motorsport UK recognition means that Formula One car came to Cornwall for the school can now take part in events Jon Dean, Head of STEM at Truro High the very first time!” organised by other recognised clubs said, “It was a great honour to have and invite entries to its own events too.