SIR STIRLING MOSS TO PRESENT BWRDC GOLDSTARS

The legendary Sir Stirling Moss will meet some of the UK's fastest women drivers on Saturday 16th January, 2010 when he will present the two winners with the prestigious BWRDC Gold Stars at 3pm on the British Women Racing Drivers' Club (BWRDC) Stand 6850 in Hall 6 at Europe's leading racing car show, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham, UK.

The nominees are listed below. Only two will receive the prestigious award, to be presented annually: one to a Club member who aspires to become a professional driver; and one to an Elite member wishing to further her motorsport career en route to becoming a professional driver.

The BWRDC Gold Stars are the Club's way of flagging up talent within the sport while helping the nominees and winners promote and progress their careers. Both winners will benefit from having two highly successful and professional drivers as their mentors: BWRDC Star Drivers Liz Halliday and Susie Stoddart. Susie is the first woman to race for Mercedes-Benz in a decade contesting the highly competitive DTM Series driving an AMG Mercedes C-Class DTM car for TV-Spielfilm Mucke Motorsport. Susie has the added kudos of being the only female finalist (twice) of the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award. ALMS driver, International Horsewoman & 3-day Eventer and Broadcaster, Liz Halliday is the most successful female driver in ALMS history.

Club BWRDC Gold Star Nominees - Mentor Liz Halliday
Amy Barker
Ilsa Cox
Sarah Franklin
Lorraine Gathercole
Gail Hill
Victoria Pickles

Elite BWRDC Gold Star Nominees - Mentor Susie Stoddart
Alice Powell
Louise Richardson
Laura Tillett
Zoe Wenham
Kirsty Young

This year's Gold Stars winners will receive a stopwatch provided by IWI; a year's supply of engine and gearbox oil from Millers Oils and benefit from dedicated web pages to present to prospective sponsors and the media created and hosted by Blueleaf. Details of the Gold Stars Nominees will also be included at www.bwrdc-goldstars.co.uk

BWRDC Chairman Helen Bashford-Malkie says:
"The successes our members are currently achieving in all categories across the UK is both inspirational and rewarding and I am delighted that the BWRDC GoldStars offers these worthy nominees another platform to help further their careers. I wish them continued success in 2010."

"Considering the talent of some of the young, up-and-coming female drivers in the UK and abroad, it can only be a few years before we see a woman in F1 again," said Haymarket Exhibitions Show Director Ian France. "The importance of ensuring young females at club level continue to enter the sport cannot be underestimated; Autosport International is proud to do whatever it can to promote women in motorsport."

BWRDC PR, Georgie Shaw adds:
"Whether it's racing, rallying, hill climbing, sprinting, karting or autocross that sets your pulse racing, the BWRDC can offer advice and support. For a great networking opportunity, video clips of intensive race and rally action, special discount offers on the book 'Women in Motorsport' - free to all female MSA licence holders who register at the stand - Club literature, autograph and photo opportunities with our members and our 'star' visitors, Stand 6850 in Hall 6 is on pole for 'Women in Motorsport'!"


For further information please contact:
Georgie Shaw PR, BWRDC T: 01444 482657 m: 07967 806929 e: georgiemshaw@btinternet.com