W SERIES AND THE RAF ENTER LANDMARK COLLABORATION TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN
W Series announces on International Women’s Day a landmark collaboration with the Royal Air Force (RAF) to increase opportunities for women in both motorsport and the Armed Forces.
Both sectors have been traditionally male-dominated, and W Series and the RAF have a shared vision to eradicate the gender imbalance in their respective industries. A series of joint events will highlight the various career pathways open to women in these sectors, inspire young girls to take the first step and improve accessibility. In addition, W Series’ and the RAF’s current crop of female drivers, pilots, engineers, mechanics, and other support staff, will work and train alongside each other to enhance their professional development and broaden their understanding of elite performance.
W Series’ female drivers, engineers, mechanics, coaches, and trainers will visit their counterparts at RAF Valley, Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales, where last year’s W Series’ title contenders Jamie Chadwick and Alice Powell had their first taste of g-forces in the air when they took to the skies in Hawk T2 jet-powered aircrafts.
W Series first visited RAF Valley – home to No 4 Flying Training School, responsible for training the UK’s next generation of world-class fighter pilots – last May when it staged its pre-season test at the Trac Môn Anglesey Circuit. Female pilots, flying instructors, engineers, physiotherapists, and medical staff from the RAF will get a close-up look at how a professional motor racing series operates both on and off track, observing everything from pit-stops to driver briefings.
Catherine Bond Muir (Chief Executive Officer, W Series) said:
“I am immensely proud on International Women’s Day to begin this collaboration with the Royal Air Force which reinforces how serious we are about ending the gender imbalance in our respective industries. We have so much synergy with the Royal Air Force – our pilots, drivers, engineers, and mechanics operate at the highest level under immense pressure, showcasing their talent and hard work every day. Our shared vision is to get as many women into these positions as possible so that girls see these careers as a right, not a hope. Young women, it’s a great world out there for you so keep watching because if you can see it, you can be it.”
Group Captain Andrew Turk (Station Commander, RAF Valley) said:
“We are delighted to take our linkages with W Series to the next level. The RAF is the first branch of the British military to open every role to women and our shared values with W Series for equality makes us both passionate for addressing gender imbalance in our sectors. For the RAF, it is imperative for a 21st century fighting force to harness our people’s unique backgrounds, talents, and perspectives – our future success and security depends on it. This is especially true today as our female personnel actively support our air operations within NATO and further afield. I hope young women see how motorsport and military aviation, two highly rewarding and adventurous careers, are not just open to them but also offer them truly rewarding careers that will fulfil their potential. It doesn’t get much more exciting than this!”
