The 2020 Nominees:

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The Senior Nominees :​

CAROLE NICHOLLS

Carole was bought up with cars & racing as her father, Ken Nicholls had set up his company- Nicholls Engineering & Development Ltd in 1960- initially repairing & rebuilding race cars, including NIKE Formula Fords for Hillclimb and Sprints.

Carole started in Autocross with her Mini and navigating for road rallies.  On her fathers’ death in 2014, she vowed to put together a register of his cars and started looking for a NIKE.  In 2016, she found a NIKE and started competing in it.

In 2019, Carole was 2nd in the Henneys Handicap, 4th in the HSA Championship and 8th in the Midland Hillclimb Championship.

CATHY SEWART

Cathy is a 45 year old mum of two who started rallying in 2006, initially as a co-driver.  In 2011, she changed seats to become a driver.  She completed her first full season in a Lotus Sunbeam in 2013, winning the ANWCC Ladies Rally Championship.

Since 2015, Cathy has competed in the Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship. In 2017, she became the Rally Secretary of the BWRDC where she has helped grow the rally section and organise their presence at the annual Rally Day. In the 2018/19 season of the Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship, Cathy won the Protyre Challenge, was 2nd in Class C and 7th overall.

ELISE WHYTE

Elise is a rally co-driver, often competing with her sister (and fellow GoldStar nominee) Seren.  She started in a mini cooper S in 2012 and has co-driven in many different types of cars since, including a BMW 1602, MGA, Triumph TR4, Austin 7 Super, Porsche 911, Standard 10 and a Datsun Stanza. In 2018, Elise achieved first in class in 6 rallies.  In 2019 she was 2nd place in the Golden Roamer Championship, winner of the Clock Watchers Award in the Iceland Saga (FIVA), London to Lisbon (FIVA), and was 2nd in class in both the Rally of the Tests and the Hughes Rally.

SAMI BOWLER

Sami’s first year of racing was 2018 and she achieved 5th overall in the Mini Challenge Cooper S Class and 2nd in the Rookie cup, running her own car with no racing or mechanical experience.

In 2019, Sami achieved 4 podiums, the ladies cup and 4th overall, as well as being nominated Club Racer of the Year in the Mini Challenge.

She also joined the all-female team in the C1 24 hour race where they finished 5th overall, Sami also holding the fastest lap for any lady competing.

SARAH MOORE

Sarah started karting at the age of 8. There have been numerous highlights since, including 2nd in the Toyota GT86 Cup, being the youngest ambassador for the MSA Go-Motorsports campaign, winning the Ginetta Junior Championship at the age of 15, receiving the BARC Densely Trophy, Autosport Awards Club Driver of the Year and shortlisted in the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.  She also won the BWRDC Lord Wakefield Trophy and was a BRDC Rising Star. In 2019, Sarah came 8th overall in the inaugural W Series Championship.  She also took part in the Britcar Endurance Championship and GT4 South European Series in Portimao.

SASHA HERIOT

Sasha is predominantly a rally co-driver.  She competed on her first National B rally in 2006.  Since then, she has navigated on 110 road rallies, 95 stage rallies, 5 targa rallies, 2 endurance rallies, 1 eco rally, 3 historic road rallies and she has driver on 5 road rallies. Sasha has achieved many wins, both class and overall.  In 2019, she achieved 3 outright wins in the Stocktonian Targa Rally, the Ilkley Targa Rally and the Ryemoor Trophy Rally. Sasha is also on the Motorsport UK Rallies Committee, is an accredited stage rally marshal and Clerk/Deputy Clerk of the Course.

SEREN WHYTE

Seren has been driving (and co-driving) since 2012, initially in a 1964 Mini Cooper S.  She has gone on to compete in both historic endurance rallies and national B rallies. In 2019, Seren was first in class and second overall in the Icelandic Saga Rally in a Standard 10 as a driver, and first in class in the London to Lisbon Rally in a Datsun 240Z as a co-driver.   She also came second in class in the Hughes Rally (driver) and 4th in class in the White Rose Classic (co-driver).

SHELLY DEACON

Shelly started racing in 2015 at the age of 31, after visiting the Autosport Show. After joining her local motor club, Truro and District, she and her husband entered the hillclimb academy, sharing a Mk1 Mazda MX5. In 2016, Shelly changed to competing in an Audi TT Quattro.  Since 2017, Shelly has also been on the committee of the Truro and District Motor Club, helping to promote and run events. The 2019 season brought a big change.  Shelly was still competing in the Audi TT Quattro but had also acquired a single seater racing car, a Hi-tech DP powered by a 600cc Suzuki GSXR motorbike engine.  She achieved several class wins and top three finishes.

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The Junior Nominees :

​CHLOE GRANT

Chloe began racing in 2014 when she was 8 years old.  She started competing at the East of Scotland Kart Club and was awarded Newcomer of the Year in her first year. She has subsequently moved into Minimax and, in 2019, Junior Rotax.  In 2019 she was ESKC Junior Club Champion, NSKC Junior vice champion, 3rd in Grampion Kart Club Junior Championship, 6th and best novice in the Scottish Championship, ASKC Scottish Female Driver of Year, 2nd in the GKC & NSKC Northern Challenge, and NKKC Best Rookie Driver of the Year and recipient of the Ben Bhraggie Shield for Best Female Driver of the Year.  To finish the year, she was chosen as a SMRC Rising Star.

ELLA STEVENS

Ella first started karting in 2013 in the Bambino class.  She then moved into the Cadets and in 2017 was the BirelART Champion. In 2019, Ella was 10th in the LGM Iame Cadet Championship, 15th in the British Iame Karting Championship (including the first female to qualify on pole).

JEMMA MOORE

Jemma started karting in 2015 before moving on to the Junior Saloon Car Championship in 2017.  In 2019, she had podium finishes in every round she competed in and two fastest laps.  She also raced in the 24 hour kart races at Le Mans and in the UK.  She finished the year with races in the GT4 Southern European Champion at Portimao and Estoril – with 2 podium finishes at Estoril.

LYDIA WALMSLEY

Lydia began racing in 2011 at the age of nine.  Starting in Honda Cadets, she was awarded the Ellough Park Young Driver of the Year in 2013.  She then moved into Minimax (Champion in 2015) and Junior Rotax (Champion in 2016) before graduating to cars and the Junior Saloon Car Championship in 2017.  Lydia then moved into senior racing in the Mini Challenge UK Cooper Pro Championship in 2018.  In 2019, Lydia achieved 5 podiums including a win at the season finale at Snetterton and 4th in the Championship, Ladies Champion and nominated for the Henry Surtees Teen Racer of the Year.

MORGAN KIDD

Morgan started racing when she was nine in corporate karts before moving on to Honda Cadets and Junior TKM.  She has been Lincolnshire Kart Race Club Champion, Hunts Kart Race Club vice champion, third in the O Plate final and Henry Surtees Teen Racer of the year nominee.  In 2019, she finished 10th in the Our Motorsport UK British Championship.

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GOLDSTARS WINNERS

The 2019 GoldStars Award Winners were:

Senior GoldStar - Jo Polley

Junior GoldStar - Abbi Pulling

In 2019, Carole was 2nd in the Henneys Handicap, 4th in the HSA Championship and 8th in the Midland Hillclimb Championship.

The Club is delighted to launch a new Mentorship programme, which aims to tap into the wealth of experience of it’s members.

The British Women Racing Driver’s Club exists to promote and support women in motorsport. The Club recognises that one of the biggest assets it has are the members themselves. Our talented competitors, former competitors, officials and marshals are well placed to share their knowledge and experience with others.

The BWRDC has decided to implement a two part Mentorship programme; the first part a Personal Mentorship Programme enabling one to one mentorship for members; the second a Club Mentorship Programme open to new and prospective Club members.

Personal Mentorship

BWRDC members just starting out in their career will be formally enabled by the mentorship programme to partner with volunteer Mentors more experienced in their discipline, for help, advice and guidance. As well as one to one sessions, BWRDC Mentors will encourge their protegee to shadow them at an event in their discipline where they are competing or officiating.  

Club Mentorship

To take the mentorship scheme to a wider audience, the club will organise a Mentorship Workshop at four different events throughout the year, one for each motorsport discipline it represents. Each workshop will allow protegees to meet and shadow BWRDC Members who are competing on the day and will cover the essentials required by their particular discipline. Both new and prospective BWRDC members will be welcome to register for a place on the Mentorship Workshops. The BWRDC are confident that the Club Mentorship scheme will offer a taster of each discipline and give a more in depth understanding of what is involved in the sport for novices.

BWRDC Chair and Historic race competitor, Lorraine Gathercole said, “I am delighted to be the first person to put herself forward as a BWRDC mentor. This scheme will help members connect and share experience and knowledge and through that both mentors and mentees will enrich their entire motorsport experience.”

The Mentorship Programme is to be launched at Race Retro, where the BWRDC will be exhibiting on stand 441 in Hall 2.

The first of the BWRDC’s Mentorship Workshops will take place at the British GT round at Donington Park on 23 June, with the support of Championship organisers SRO. BWRDC Goldstar Winner 2014 & GT Racer Anna Walewska; 2017 GoldStar Award Winner Katie Milner and 2019 GoldStar Award Winner Abbi Pulling will all be competing that weekend and workshop attendees will have the opportunity to follow their progress as well as taking behind the scenes tours and participating in classroom sessions with experienced racers willing to share their expertise. Mentorship Workshops for rallying, karting and hillclimbing are all set to follow later in the year.

The British Women Racing Drivers' Club were delighted to announce the winners of their GoldStar Awards for the 2019 season at Autosport International on Saturday 12th January 2019.  The Club was invited to host the presentation on the Motorsport UK stand and the awards were presented by Lorina McLaughlin, BWRDC President.

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To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of these prestigious awards which recognise our highest achievers we split the prizes into a Junior and Senior category.

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Senior GoldStar Award Winner: Jo Polley

Jo Polley has been around motorsport all of her life and has been racing since she was 15 years of age. She has over 35 career podiums from oval and circuit racing. 2018 has been Jo's best season to date as she took part in the Super Mighty Mini Championship. She achieved 1 win, 4 podiums and a fastest lap and led the championship for a large part of the season, never finishing outside the top 6. She was still in contention for the title in the last round but a mechanical DNF meant she had to settle for 4th in the Championship.

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Junior GoldStar Award Winner: Abbi Pulling

Abbi started racing in 2012, at age of 8. Since then, she has not looked back. In 2018, Abbi dominated the Super One British Championship taking the title with 22 top 3 finishes and podiums in all 7 of the Grand Finals. She became the first junior karter to win back to back Super One British Championships and also retained the Junior TKM Festival Trophy.  Abbi also made her car racing debut in 2018, taking part in 3 rounds of the Ginetta Junior Championship.

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 As well as a trophy, dedicated car decals and a wealth of PR opportunities, this year winners take away a huge array of prizes.

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The BWRDC would particularly like to thank all the sponsors for their generosity:

• First Avenue Supplies - bespoke GoldStars jacket

• Alyssa Smith Jewellery – piece of Motorsport jewellery

• By Kathryn - perfume

• iZone Driver Performance – Simulator Experience

• Mercedes AMG Petronas – Factory Tour

• Pro Drive - FactoryTour

• RacingChocs – Chocolates

• The Motorsport Collective – Annual membership

• The Silverstone Experience – Free Entry

• Walero – Fire protection clothing

We also acknowledge all the Nominees, who are all winners in their own disciplines. The Juniors were Ella Stephens and Sarah Moore and the Seniors were Ashleigh Morris and Cathy Sewart.     

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We also thank the hard work of the judges who were:

• Helen Bashford-Malkie - Founder of the BWRDC GoldStars initiative

• Lorina McLaughlin - BWRDC President

• Louise Goodman – TV Commentator and Presenter

• Sue Sanders – Motorsport UK International Training Manager

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We also thank Motorsport UK and, in particular, Hugh Chambers, for allowing us to host the awards on their stand at Autosport International, as well as the press and photographers who came to support these ladies.

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Lorraine Gathercole, Chair of the BWRDC commended all the nominees, saying that each and every one of them had proven themselves winners, had risen to the challenges they faced and most importantly came out smiling and enthused by what is still to come for them. “They all have bright futures ahead of them and we are delighted to be able to share their journey and help them in any way we can to realise their ambitions.” 

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Lorraine also praised the hard work of Sarah Franklin and Charlotte Phelps for the initial selection of the nominees, the accumulating of the wonderful array of prizes, handling all the logistics and ensuring the presentation was in keeping with such a prestigious award.

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But the final words go to our most deserving winners Jo and Abbi, both with such bright futures ahead - we look forward to seeing your faces and names in the highest places.

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We are delighted that once again the winners of the prestigious GoldStar Awards for the 2018 season will be revealed on the Motorsport UK stand at 12.30, with the nominees being interviewed and the winners announced by Hugh Chambers, CEO Motorsport UK.

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To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of these prestigious awards which recognise our highest achievers we have split the prizes into a Junior and Senior category.

This year’s nominees come from Karting, Circuit Racing and Rallying.

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The Senior Nominees :

• Ashleigh Morris has always had a passion for cars and, after a passenger ride at Knockhill, she got the rallying bug! She started co-driving in various cars before moving to the drivers seat in 2016. In 2018, she achieved her first class win as well as 2nd in class in the Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship, Class B Champion in the ANWCC North Wales Stage Rally Challenge and runner up in Class B of the ANWCC Stage Rally Championship.

• Cathy Sewart, a busy mum of 2 boys, is passionate about her motorsport. She first got involved in rallying in 2006 as a co-driver. She moved over to the drivers seat in 2011. After that, there was no stopping her (other than having to take some time off to have her second son!). In 2018, she achieved 2nd in Class C and 9th overall in the Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship.

• Jo Polley has been around motorsport all of her life and has been racing since she was 15 years of age. She has over 35 career podiums from oval and circuit racing. 2018 has been Jo's best season to date as she took part in the Super Mighty Mini Championship. She achieved 1 win, 4 podiums and a fastest lap and led the championship for a large part of the season, never finishing outside the top 6. She was still in contention for the title in the last round but a mechanical DNF meant she had to settle for 4th in the Championship.

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The Junior Nominees :

• Sarah Moore started karting in 2002 in Honda Cadets. Since then, she has moved onwards and upwards, picking up numerous awards on the way. In 2009, she won the Ginetta Junior Championship, becoming the first female to win a championship on the BTCC support package. In 2018, she (along with Matt Greenwood - a driver she had coached since he started karting in 2013) became BritCar Endurance Champion.

• Abbi Pulling started racing in 2012, at age of 8. Since then, she has not looked back. In 2018, Abbi dominated the Super One British Championship taking the title with 22 top 3 finishes and podiums in all 7 of the Grand Finals. She became the first junior karter to win back to back Super One British Championships and also retained the Junior TKM Festival Trophy.  Abbi also made her car racing debut in 2018, taking part in 3 rounds of the Ginetta Junior Championship.

• Ella Stephens started karting in 2013, initially in the Bambino class. She went on to win the BirelART Championship in 2017 and in 2018, was the LGM Privateer Champion, finishing 16th overall and 22nd in Super One.

 As well as a trophy, dedicated car decals and a wealth of PR opportunities, this year winners take away a huge array of prizes.

The BWRDC would particularly like to thank all the sponsors for their generosity:

• Alyssa Smith Jewellery – piece of motorsport jewellery

• By Kathryn - perfume

• Izone Driver Performance – simulator experience

• Mercedes AMG Petronas – factory tour

• ProDrive – factory tour

• RacingChocs – motorsport themed chocolates

• The Motorsport Collective – annual membership

• The Silverstone Experience – free entry

• Walero – fire protection clothing

We also recognise the hard work of the judges, this year’s judges are :

• Helen Bashford-Malkie - Founder of the BWRDC GoldStars initiative

• Lorina McLaughlin - BWRDC President

• Louise Goodman – TV Commentator and Presenter

• Sue Sanders – Motorsport UK International Training Manager

We also thank Motorsport UK for allowing us to host the awards on their stand and Autosport International who welcome the BWRDC to the premier motorsport exhibition which heralds the beginning of the new season.

Lorraine Gathercole, Chair of the BWRDC congratulated all the nominees, who have all had fantastic seasons in 2018 and wishes them the very best success for 2019.

The BWRDC are thrilled to organise a Support Race to the Walter Hayes Trophy once again in 2018.

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Following the success of the 2017 Ladies Race, the BWRDC have been invited back to Silverstone on Sunday 4th November to organise a ladies only race , alongside the HSCC. The club invites members and non-members (on payment of a day membership) to join us for a social yet competitive event.

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Silverstone Circuits were delighted to include us once again on the prestigious timetable.  

This race gives us the opportunity to showcase the wide variety of cars we drive and of course our driving ability; and whilst enjoying ourselves, demonstrate to other women that this is something they really can do too!

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Entries are available now through the Silverstone website.  And, if you need any more convincing here are some comments from last year’s event:

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"I am so very proud of every single competitor in the BWRDC Ladies Race.  My only objective was to put on a great race for our members that everyone could enjoy, including the spectators, marshals and officials. Thank you, you didn't disappoint." - Lorraine Gathercole, BWRDC Chair

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"Great Ladies Race. Much fun had by all. As I am Vice President of the BWRDC, I had the honour of presenting the awards." - Lorina McLaughlin, BWRDC Vice President

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"Had fun racing the Super Cooper - managed to take 1.5 seconds off qualifying times in the race! looking forward to getting out in it again next year." - Caroline Gilbert

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"What a way to end the season! ‪British Women Racing Drivers' Club Ladies Race at Silverstone." - Katie Milner

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"Well done and congratulations on a very successful day. " - Helen Allen, BWRDC Vice Chair

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"Very eclectic mix of cars for the British Women’s Racing Driver Club all comers race. Good to see so many female race drivers competing. " - Rob Hedley.

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"What a brilliant day." - Yve Rivers-Fletcher, BWRDC Treasurer

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"Good to see so many women competing again - hope this bodes well for the future of motor racing overall. " - Anne Boylan Dalton

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"Loved watching this race today. Hope next year to be in it :)" - Christina Blunt

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"Cracking race. Finished where I started, 5th overall but 2nd on handicap. ...whoopee!" - Gail Hill

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"Speaking as a spectator, excellent entertainment!" - David Coulthard

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"I loved it and was so chuffed with my result! Really great to get out and compete with different people and have some awesome close racing! Thanks all for organising and thanks girls for a great race ! Really proud to be a part of it :)))) x I’m in for next year:)))" - Maxine Nicholls

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"I had loads of fun with some good clean racing. Thank you ladies!!" - Sue Harris

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"Top job BWRDC."- Caroline Ryder, BWRDC Sprint Secretary

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"I really enjoyed the race." - Rachel Sonia Boom Bichener

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"Well done to all the ladies." - Sally Pov

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"From a pit boys perspective it’s such a nice thing to be part of. Well done to those who won pots and thank you to the organisers. We’ll be back." - Kevin Hewer

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"Well done to all the competitors for some very good racing in an eclectic mix of lovely cars." - Jeremy Rivers-Fletcher

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"Great racing all you lady drivers and gutted I wasn’t on the track." - Dawn Tunbridge

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"Well done ladies x" - Malcolm Short

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"Absolutely fantastic! that's what the Club should be about, bringing us together on occasions, regardless of what level you compete at or what budget you have, it's good to be able to celebrate and show off what we can do, be it organising or taking part. Feel really proud to be part of the club." - Cathy Sewart, BWRDC Rally Secretary

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"Was a good race with a wide variety of cars, well done for getting it organised."  - Gary Malkin

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"Well done everyone!" - Pamela Mykytowych

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"Well done one and all! An excellent race." - James Parry

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And finally -

"I am bursting with pride for you all and it has given me a great boost." - Georgie Shaw, BWRDC President.

BWRDC members are proud to represent the club at this year’s RALLYDAY event at Castle Combe circuit on Saturday 22 September. For more information please visit www.rallyday.com.

The BWRDC are delighted to display members rally cars in the main rally paddock at this year’s event, and club members will also be out on stage and track during the day, putting their competition rally cars through their paces.

The stand in the main paddock will include the Subaru of top rally driver Sara Williams, which she has taken to three rally victories. Sara is a BWRDC GoldStars Award winner and is currently competing in the Renault Clio R3T France Trophy Cup Series.

Sara’s car will be alongside a classic Porsche 912, called Poppy, which is passionately maintained and driven by owner Rowena Purdy in the HRCR Clubmans Road Rally championship.

Completing the display is Helena Mayall’s Alfa Romeo 33, which she has lots of fun driving on stage rallies. Helena also occasionally co-drives for other BWRDC Members.

Young rising star Ashleigh Morris will be driving her Ford Fiesta R2 at the event. Ashleigh has only been competing a few years but is already achieving consistent and competitive results and finished second in her class on last year’s Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship.

Competing alongside Ashleigh in the Motorsport News Championship is Cathy Sewart, driving for Lotusbits Rally Team in her Sunbeam Lotus. Cathy also finished the season second in her Class and 9th overall in the Championship. Cathy has been rallying for twelve years, starting in the co-driver seat then switching in 2013. She has enjoyed some top ten finishes and many class awards along the way.

Cheryl Spencer is a bit of a Sol Rally Barbados expert, having competed in the event 5 times since 2008 with a highest finish of second in the Clubman Class. Cheryl loves rallying and will be out on track in her Vauxhall Astra 2lt red top, easy to spot with it’s glitter pink and green livery which was designed for Rally Barbados this year.

Delivering the notes from the co-drivers seat of the second Lotusbits Sunbeam is 17yr old Louise Gilks. Louise has grown up with Rallying, helping her dad from a very young age then stepping into the co-driver seat at 14 years old. Aside from studying for a Baccalaureate in Engineering she is also a very proficient mechanic for the Lotusbits rally team.

One of the most experienced BWRDC co-drivers is Cat Lund, who won the Belgian FIRC Championship twice with her fiance Andy Rowe. Cat was also twice BWRDC co-driver champion and a previous GoldStar Award winner in 2011. Now she co-drives professionally and will be sitting with driver Adrian Drury in his Drury Deliveries Peugeot 106 GTi on the feature stage.

The British Women Racing Drivers Club was founded in 1962 by Mary Wheeler MBE. Mary started the Club to represent the interests of women competitors, including campaigning for better facilities for women at race tracks back in the 60s. Since then the women in the club have held their own in events from racing to hill climbing and rallying. Club members have set records, inspired trophies and won championships and now they inspire a new generation of ambitious women.

The Club today offers experience and guidance to its members and continues to support and promote women in all forms of motorsport. Members have the opportunity to receive recognition for their achievements through the club championships for MSA approved disciplines and through the BWRDC GoldStars Awards, which are designed to showcase talent and help the winners to promote and progress their motorsport careers.

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The BWRDC are delighted to announce that we are working closely with the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) which we believe will be a great benefit to both Clubs in the future.

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The BRDC are keen to forge links with female competitors and they would like to be kept informed of our members’ activities and achievements. The BRDC have also welcomed the suggestion of the BWRDC providing our Club magazine to visitors of their Clubhouse at Silverstone Circuit. In return, the BRDC will provide us with their magazine, the BRDC Bulletin, so that we can share their news and upcoming events. It is also hoped that we can both ‘share’ our social media activities, whenever appropriate, thus allowing greater networking opportunities for our combined Memberships.

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The BRDC Clubhouse, perhaps one of the most recognisable buildings in motor racing, is a private facility for BRDC Members and guests that offers meals and drinks in a great location with some of the best views of the activities on the circuit. A pair of BRDC guest passes has been made available on a first come first served basic for BWRDC Members competing at Silverstone (excluding the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Classic and MotoGP). To apply please contact your section secretary. Please note that a dress code is strictly enforced but it is described as smart casual with a non-onerous list of prohibited items. We also hope to use the BRDC Clubhouse for meetings and events in the future but the specific details of these are to be confirmed.

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For our younger members up to the age of 24 who are and are considering the pursuit of a career through the ranks of motor racing, the BRDC Rising Star Scheme seeks to introduce drivers that on their way towards qualifying for BRDC Membership and nurture their development. The scheme’s panel of Scouts meet twice a year to review the performances of eligible drivers. If you would like your news and press releases to be shared with the BRDC, please forward them to Lorraine Gathercole, and she will forward to the appropriate people.

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These are just a few areas where both Clubs are working to build new relationships. In the future, we hope to have shared coaching opportunities as well as other ideas and plans that are currently being formulated. Watch this space!

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This is an exciting time for our Club and this is just one of many new initiatives as we go from strength to strength.

I am extremely sorry to have to tell you all that our President, Georgie Shaw passed away peacefully on Sunday 14th January at Perth Royal Infirmary with her son Jamie and daughter Sam at her side.

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Georgie has been a massive part of the BWRDC for many decades and will leave a huge hole in the club and our hearts.

From the age of eight, Georgina May Sterrett discovered a passion for speed and learned the art of high-speed driving from her parents, especially her father. In the late 60’s, Georgie learnt to race in a Formula Ford 1600 at Brands Hatch and was immediately competitive.

She then went to race Mini’s in 1967 – 69 in the Special Saloon Championship and then a ShellSPORT Ford Escort from 1974 – 78. In 1978, she was offered a sponsored drive in PJ Evans Triumph TR7 after coming 2nd in class in a one-hour race at Oulton Park and she undertook the 1978 ProdSports Championship before going back to Mini’s in the 1275GT Mini Championship.

During her racing years, Georgie took several pole positions and fastest laps, one equalled with Lella Lombardi, (the reigning European Touring Car Champion at the time), something she was particularly proud of.

Georgie often struggled for time to race, working full time in her parents business and then taking over that business in 1975. In 1979, a near fatal illness, divorce and sale of the family business ended her racing career.

In 1978, Georgie became the Chairman of the BWRDC. During that time she organised our 25th anniversary awards dinner at Café Royale. Jean Denton, the President of the BWRDC at the time, offered her a job as Motorsport Press Officer at the Austin Rover Group, having been impressed with her event organising and promotional skills. What followed was the building of a legendary career within the world of PR and motorsport journalism for Georgie.

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Georgie went on to work as a FIA Accredited F1 journalist, F1 pundit, TV and video producer, co-author of ‘Racy Recipes’ to name but a few of her achievements.

Georgie stepped down as the Chairman of the club in 1980 and became our PR officer, a role she relished and loved and her hard work for the club was often recognised by her receipt of the Rabbit Trophy at our Awards ceremonies.

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We probably all remember Georgie most for her event organising and PR skills. She was instrumental in the club getting a stand at the Autosport show in 2009 and we have continued to have stands each year since. In that first year, Georgie dragged all sorts of celebrities to the stand, including Ron Dennis, Murray Walker, Lee McKenzie and Andy Green.

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She went on to organise our 55th Celebration last year with the ‘Connect 55’ dedicated Facebook page. Georgie accepted our invitation to become President last year and also announced the new Georgie Shaw PR Award which will be presented for the first time this year at our Annual Awards dinner in February.

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Georgie will be sorely missed by us all, but leaves us a legacy that we can build upon.

RIP Georgie, our lives were so much richer for having had you in them.

Lorraine Gathercole
Chair
BWRDC

The Club announced the winners of the prestigious BWRDC GoldStars Awards on the MSA stand at this year's Autosport Show. The nominees were put forward by the Club to an independent panel of judges who have chosen the final winners.

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The 2018 GoldStars are:

Club GoldStar - Elen Worthington

Elite GoldStar - Sara Williams

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Both Elen and Sara were previous GoldStars winners in 2016 and both ladies have continued to go from strength to strength in their respective disciplines. We are delighted to honour our two worthy winners for the second time, as both their motorsport careers progress further.

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Elen Worthington, Sprint Competitor

Elen started sprinting in 2010 in her Lotus Elise and was the Club GoldStar Award winner in 2016. She was BWRDC Sprint Champion in 2015 and 2016, winning the Duckham's Trophy. She had a great season in 2017, coming 2nd overall in the SBD BARC Speed Championship and 2nd overall in the ASWMC Sprint Championship, enjoying many class wins throughout the year.  In addition to competing, Elen contributes to the sport as the Championship Coordinator for the WAMC Welsh Sprint & Hill Climb Championship.

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Sara Williams, Rally Driver

In 2017, Sara competed in the French Renault Clio R3T Trophy. This was her first time in a left hand drive front wheel drive Clio and was also the first time she had to start making her own pace notes. She finished 9th overall and 3rd Junior in this competitive championship. Sara also contributes to motorsport, representing the UK in the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission and is also the Welsh Association of Motorclubs Womens representative.

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Each winner will receive the BWRDC GoldStar Trophy, a limited edition BWRDC GoldStar Car sticker, and a GoldStar Certificate as well as generous gifts from our sponsors.

From the BWRDC 2018 Sponsors -

The Motorsport Collective - one years’ free membership; 

Walero - Balaclava and Top

Cloud Embroidery – Beanie Hat with BWRDC GoldStar logo;

The White Horse, Silverstone - Bubbly for the celebration

Stand 21 - quick release balaclava

MSV - a track day for each winner at Donington Park

BWRDC GoldStar Winners went on to the Talk Shop Stage with Chair, Lorraine Gathercole, to talk about their journey so far and what comes next.

The BWRDC would like to extend their thanks to all the nominees and to Ian Titchmarsh for announcing the winners, the MSA for hosting and Michael Simpson of Ginetta for presenting the Awards.

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The Club also wishes to thank the following sponsors for their generosity: Walero, The Motorsport Collective, The White Horse - Silverstone, Stand 21, MSV, Cloud Embroidery, Autosport International for giving us the opportunity to be here and Jakob Ebrey for the photographs for all media correspondents.

The 2018 GoldStars Club Award Nominees were:

- Charley Sayer-Payne,

- Elen Worthington

- Maria Bright

- Sasha Heriot

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Our GoldStars Elite Nominees were:

- Abbi Pulling

- Nabila Tejpar

- Sara Williams

Nathalie McGloin has won the BWRDC Lord Wakefield Trophy, presented annually in recognition of outstanding achievement by women in motor sport, and will receive the prestigious accolade at the MSA Night of Champions in London on 27 January.

McGloin, aged 34 from Towcester, is the first female MSA Competition Licence holder with a serious spinal injury, having been involved in a road traffic accident aged 16. She first got on track in 2015 with Mission Motorsport, and now competes in the Porsche Club Championship. She scored her first outright podium in the BWRDC all-comers race last November (pictured).

McGloin helps more people with disabilities to get behind the wheel through Spinal Track, an initiative she runs with her partner, Andrew Bayliss. She has recently been appointed as the inaugural President of the new FIA Disability and Accessibility Commission.

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McGloin said: “I’m absolutely blown away by the news that I’ve won the BWRDC Lord Wakefield Trophy. Looking back through the history of who this award has been presented to makes me feel extremely humble. I continue to be surprised by where my motor sport journey takes me and I’m extremely grateful for the continuous support I receive from the MSA, BWRDC and FIA.”

Rob Jones, MSA Chief Executive, said: “We first met Nathalie three years ago when she was just getting started in motor sport and it is inspiring to see how much she has achieved since then, becoming one of the most recognisable names championing motor sport as an accessible and inclusive activity for all. We very much look forward to welcoming Nathalie to the MSA Night of Champions at the Royal Automobile Club.”

Lorraine Gathercole, Chair of the British Women Racing Drivers Club (BWRDC), said: “Nathalie has overcome enormous difficulties to compete in motor sport and encourages others with spinal disabilities, as well as the able-bodied, to challenge themselves. With strong performances on track, inspirational talks, motivating articles and her new role at the FIA, Nathalie is a most worthy recipient of this magnificent award.”

Previous winners of the BWRDC Lord Wakefield Trophy include Katherine Legge, Leena Gade, Claire Williams and Susie Wolff.

We are delighted to congratulate two of our members on their new roles within the FiA Commissions. 

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Sara Williams has been appointed to the Women in Motorsport commission, while Nathalie McGloin has been appointed as President of the new Disability and Accessibility Commission. 

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We wish them both the best of luck in their new roles!