The Track Day Experience

Motorsport is amazing to watch but must be one of the hardest sports to take part in.

It is expensive and for the most part exclusive and with-it being male dominated it can be even harder for women.

That is why it is so amazing that organisations like Formula Woman exist.

Formula Woman is a global community that aims to help drive women into motorsport and help them develop their skills.

I recently had the pleasure to attend a Formula Woman track day at Donnington Park, this day is one of the integral ways that the organisation is helping women realise their dreams.

A track day is when teams, organisations and people get the chance to use the track to learn about the twists and turns, the cars and the people driving.

Formula Woman has hosted many track days and have scheduled many more in order to train members of their Academy, allow people to try racing for the first time or get women with more experience back on the circuit.

When I first decided to attend, I was unsure on what to expect as this was going to be my first ever track day, the only thing I really knew is that it would be cold.

When I arrived, I was welcomed with open arms into garage 16 where two Formula Woman cars were waiting to be driven.

Graeme Glew, Formula Woman’s founder, was there to train and help the women and was able to give me a passenger lap around the track.

This wasn’t my first time being driven around a MSV track as I had the opportunity to do a fast lap around Brands Hatch but this was my first time with Formula Women and around Donnington.

It was interesting to learn and feel for myself the racing line and even as a passenger I felt the thrill of racing.

The day went on after with each woman who had travelled to Donnington getting their time behind the wheel with each getting a feel for the car as a passenger first.

One thing I noticed as I made my way up and down the pitlane to find a spot to watch the cars on track was that garage 16 was the only female representation there.

No other women were walking up and down in helmets.

No other women were getting in cars.

Motorsport has been a male-dominated sport since its creation and only recently has that started to fully change.

Trailblazers like Lella Lombardi, Maria Teresa de Filippis, Janet Guthrie and Sara Christian paved the way and trendsetters like Susie Wolff, Jaimie Chadwick and Marta Garcia continue the path.

Formula Woman help women around the world realise they can follow in the footsteps of these women.

Glew described motorsport as the “most expensive sport in the world”, “incredibly addictive” and the fact there can only be one winner means that it’s “98% disappointment.”

The organisation doesn’t just help with the racing side of motorsport, they also try and assist in every aspect including sponsorship.

“I try and encourage the girls to go and find personal sponsors,” Glew said, “We try and give guidance because it’s not only just about finding a sponsor it’s how you look after that sponsor.”

Glew explained that it’s “not been easy” to build and continue the organisation but the “only way” to enter the world of motorsport, especially as a driver, is to do it by gaining experience so attending a track day is an amazing way to start.

Honor Harley is a member of the Formula Woman Academy and was at the track day learning with Glew.

As a new member of the Academy this was her second time at a track day, but she is enjoying it. Harley said: “I’m ready to go and it’s really exciting.”

The 24-year-old explained that since joining Formula Woman she has been motivated more and in different ways. She also finds motivation from being the one of the only women on track.

“I’m not expecting to be one of the best drivers in the world,” Harley added, “I’d like to get to competitive level, “I like the idea of getting a platform for myself and being able to inspire other women.”

Inspiration is often a term used in motorsport as having and being a person that you can look up to is important and it all comes back to the saying, if you see it, you can be it.

With members in 68 different countries Formula Woman is trying to help a whole new generation of racers in any way they can with advice and experience.

To find out if there is a Formula Woman track day near you, please look on their social media.

- by Lizzy Oxendale