The future of motorsport is changing, no more so than with the launch of Netflix’s newest series, F1: The Academy set to inspire and break the barriers around women joining the grid in one of the most demanding and male-dominated sports enjoyed by thousands. This National Motorsport week we are celebrating the variety of ways to get started in our sport… Enter Motorsport UK Girls Karting Academy.
Our new programme aims to inspire and invite the next generation of female talent into motorsport– it’s fun, girls only and family friendly.
In collaboration with TeamSport, a nationwide indoor karting operator with 37 tracks nationwide, the Girls Karting Academy will provide 8-12-year-old girls with the opportunity to learn and progress through Motorsport UK’s talent pathway.
During the introductory days, girls test themselves in TeamSport’s arrive and drive karts and take part in fun activities, designed by Motorsport UK’s Academy coaches and experts in sports science, testing the girls’ competency and skill levels both on and off the track.
The next sessions will take place in Bristol, Crawley, Cambuslang, Coventry, Mitcham, Leeds, Nottingham, Southampton, Manchester Trafford and Newcastle in August, during the school holidays.
Girls who demonstrate the right mindset and talent at the introductory days will subsequently be invited to take part in a more in-depth development programme, starting with five sessions over five consecutive weeks at the above TeamSport locations. Under Motorsport UK’s guidance, the sessions will nurture their talent and equip them with the skills and techniques needed to compete in junior levels of karting.
The exciting initiative will enable drivers to hone their skills, before being encouraged to participate in the annual British Indoor Kart Championship (BIKC). Girls who set a qualifying time (June to August) at any of TeamSport’s nationwide venues will have an opportunity to progress through to Local, Regional and National Finals with a prize of a fully-funded place in the Club100 Karting Championship on offer.
Tom Hartley, Head of Competitor Development, Motorsport UK, comments, “Our Girls Karting Academy aims to create a fun, safe, and welcoming environment for girls to try out karting, and develop an understanding of what it takes to develop as an aspiring driver. Ultimately, we want girls to fall in love with Karting, have an incredible experience, and develop confidence and new skills on and off the track.”
Dan Parker, Head of Karting, Motorsport UK, adds, “We are thrilled to have had such a positive response to the first round of our Girls Karting Academy at TeamSport locations across the UK. The initiative aims to provide an accessible pathway for girls to enter motorsport, and we hope that these taster days have inspired more women to progress into competitive karting. The Academy is part of our commitment to increasing female representation in motorsport.”
Dom Gaynor, CEO, TeamSport Indoor Karting, concludes, “This kind of grassroots activity is such an important part of encouraging more girls into motorsport, and we’re incredibly proud that TeamSport can play a role in making that happen. We can’t wait to welcome even more girls to join us for our next taster day!”
Find out more about the Motorsport UK Girls Karting Academy here
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