11:02am Friday 27th April 2007
JENNIFER GRACE is a step nearer to fulfilling her dream of becoming a motor racing driver.
After making her way through the preliminary rounds of the Formula Woman competition, which aims to find 16 of the best female drivers in the UK (who have not previously held a race licence) to race in the prestigious Championship, the St Albans-based Grace has been chosen as one of 500 women to attend an assessment in May.
Grace will have to undertake a series of demanding tasks, culminating in a driving test in a Caterham at Brands Hatch on Wednesday, May 2, if she is to become one of the lucky 100 women to make it into round two.
The field is then whittled down to 16 who will be chosen to race in the 2007 Novice Championship.
The top three drivers will obtain a free season in the Novice Championship and the other 13 will be required to find sponsorship.
"I am determined that I will make it into the final 16 and I am confident that I can secure one of the three scholarship drives available," said Grace. "I have already proven that I have good car control and speed on track during training sessions."
The assessments will based on Grace's driving skills but also cover additional aspects such as fitness, motor sport knowledge and the ability to generate media coverage.
All of these aspects are crucial to being a successful racing driver and securing the sponsorship required to be make it.
"I have a daunting but equally exciting time ahead; with my assessment growing closer day-by-day I have stepped up my fitness routine and tested my driving ability by taking part in track days with intense instruction," said Grace.
The Formula Woman Novice Championship will run over eight races throughout the summer of 2007, at circuits throughout the UK including Brands Hatch, Snetterton and home of the British Grand prix - Silverstone.
If Grace gets through to the final 16, she will be racing a 1.6 K series Rover engined Caterham 7.
Formula Woman is a unique concept designed to attract and assist more women to enter the traditionally male dominated arena of motor sport and is the only female motor racing Championship in the country.
Jennifer is looking for other sponsors to support her into the championship. To sponsor her please email j2a_grace@hotmail.com.
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