W Series has teamed up with London Youth to bring up to 100 girls and young women from youth clubs across London to its season finale at Brands Hatch on August 11th.
- W Series and London Youth team up to bring motor racing to local teenagers
- Girls and young women from 13 to 19 to enjoy full VIP W Series race experience
- Brands Hatch programme includes meeting W Series drivers and engineers as well as grandstand seats
- W Series six-race season concludes at Brands Hatch on August 11th
- London Youth aims to improve the lives of young Londoners
The youngsters, between the ages of 13 and 19, will join a VIP programme built around the exciting last race of the W Series season. Not only will they be able to see the whole race from one of the best grandstands at the circuit, but they will also get an exclusive opportunity to meet the drivers and race technicians responsible for keeping the cars on the track.
Catherine Bond Muir, W Series CEO, said:
“We are absolutely committed to supporting women in all areas of our industry, and not just drivers. Everything starts with raising the profile of motorsport careers to young people, and we are delighted to be able to work with London Youth, and hopefully, to inspire these young women from London.”
Paul Stewart, co-founder of Stewart Grand Prix which he created with his father, Sir Jackie Stewart, and Vice President of London Youth, said:
“This is a fantastic example of what can happen when business and charity work together with a common goal. W Series is an inspiring new championship and we hope the girls and young women from London Youth will not only have an unforgettable day out at Brands Hatch but will also expand their career horizons.”
Zoe Mellis, Head of Sport and Arts at London Youth, said:
“Our work gives young people access to opportunities they might not otherwise have had, and we are really excited to work with W Series on this programme for our girls and young women – many of whom would not have thought for one second that motorsport could eventually be a career for them.”
Since motorsport remains one of the last sports heavily dominated by men, not only behind the wheel but in the pit-lane, garage, workshop and laboratory, W Series aims not only to promote female drivers but also to encourage girls and women into engineering and science careers and to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects in schools, colleges and universities.
Battling it out on the grid, on August 11th, will be five British drivers, Esmee Hawkey, Sarah Moore, Jessica Hawkins, Alice Powell and championship leader, Jamie Chadwick. Each will be racing to claim their part of the US$1.5 million prize fund, which includes US$500,000 for the winner.
W Series aims to fast-track women to the highest level of professional motorsport, and, ultimately, find the world’s first female Formula 1 champion.
London Youth, a registered charity, works with thousands of young people in the capital each year with the overall aim of improving their lives and fulfilling personal potential. The charity helps provide opportunities outside school to have fun and to learn new skills – to make a positive change in their communities.