Related to an earlier discussion, this came in the mail today.-John Kelly
PR-FORMULA WOMAN Announced
Jan 10, 2003 04:27 am - Posted by Michael F. Hollander, Editor, RIS
FORMULA WOMAN - CHANGING THE FACE OF MOTORSPORT
The first ever modern-day motor racing championship for women drivers is
launched!
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - RIS - 9th January 2003 /Formula Woman, a major new
motor racing initiative set to change the face of motorsport is launched
today at Autosport International Show. This unique Championship for women
racing drivers marks a new era for this sport with the introduction of the
first racing Series devoted entirely to female drivers. Formula Woman is a
unique concept for the world of motorsport, offering women the chance to
enter the traditionally male environment of motor racing driving the new
Mazda RX8 in the Mazda RX-8 Formula Woman Championship.
The new Championship has been conceived and created by Graeme Glew, a
motorsport industry consultant who has been involved in racing team
management, a racing driver school and latterly in Formula One. With this
pedigree Glew is well placed to instigate a new professional motor racing
Series which is set to add a new dimension to the industry bringing women
into the sport - in the driving seat.
Television coverage is planned for the Championship, with Carlton TV
developing a programme around Formula Woman. Further details on the media
support will be announced shortly.
Speaking today at the launch, Chairman of Formula Woman, Graeme Glew said,
"Formula Woman is realizing one of the ideas that I had a few years ago
when I ran a racing drivers school. In nearly every other sport around the
world there is a platform for women to compete against each other. Today,
we have made history by launching this Championship solely for women, and
I'm sure we will attract nationwide attention as this unique concept
becomes reality."
Formula Woman is launched with the support of Mazda, with the new Mazda
RX-8 being used for the Championship. James Muir, Managing Director, Mazda
Motors UK Ltd, explains the tie-up saying, "Mazda are absolutely delighted
to be involved as the manufacturer sponsor for Formula Woman. It's an
extremely exciting and innovative project which we believe will really
capture the imagination of the public. Formula Woman will be a great fit
with the Mazda brand, particularly as we are launching our all-new sports
car, the Mazda RX-8 in the summer of 2003.
Former Formula One driving star, Mark Blundell who is now a member of ITV's
Formula One presentation team and is Consultant to Formula Woman is
delighted to be involved with the Championship saying, "Formula Woman is an
amazing opportunity for someone to realize their dream and become a
professional racing driver and I'm sure the boy racers will be very envious
watching the women racing - I don't know whether I could watch my wife out
in a race car as I would be full of so many different emotions - I'd be
jealous of her, fearful for her safety and willing her to win.
Adds Blundell, "As a Consultant to Formula Woman I have been involved since
the beginning of the project and it's been a privilege to be part of a
concept which is breaking new ground in such an exciting, high profile
sport. I'm really looking forward to playing a role in the future
development of Formula Woman and contributing to its undoubted success."
Formula Woman has also gained the support of Richard Burden MP,
Parliamentary advisor on motorsport to the Sports Minister, who says, " The
common perception of Motor Racing is often one of "boys with their toys."
Formula Woman challenges that in a very direct way. I know that the
Government is very keen to see access to all sports widened to those who
have a lot to contribute but who, for different reasons, feel excluded from
them. By launching this competition to find the woman motor racing champion
of tomorrow, Formula Woman has the potential to raise the profile of women
in motorsport as a whole. That is why I welcome the Formula Woman project
and I will certainly be talking further to the Minister of Sport about it.
"
The Championship
Formula Woman will be open to any female aged 18 or over who holds a UK
drivers license and has not competed in motorsport. Prospective drivers
will be invited to apply for a driver assessment and successful applicants
will be requested to attend an assessment day, a series of events which
will be held at a number of race circuits throughout the UK between May and
July 2003. At the initial qualifying stage selected candidates will be put
through tests of driving, fitness level, reactions, personality and
presentational skills as Formula Woman sets out to find the all round best
16 female drivers for the Mazda RX-8 Formula Woman Championship. And it's
not just the best drivers we're looking for - the Formula Woman driver
needs to be able to work within a team, be professional and know how to
deal with the media - all necessary ingredients in top level motorsport.
The driver selection programme will be followed by an intensive driver
training course through the winter of 2003 in preparation for the 10 - 12
round Championship to be held at selected UK racing circuits in 2004
(subject to Motor Sport Association approval). The Mazda RX-8 race cars to
be used for the Championship will be identically prepared race-tuned
versions of the new road car set to be introduced into the UK in Summer
2003. Full details of the Championship rules, regulations and format
details will be provided as these are finalized.
Women interested in taking part in Formula Woman can register via the
Formula Woman registration telephone line on 09066 360000. Calls to the
registration line are charged at #1.50p per minute and will last a maximum
of two minutes. Callers must be 18 or over and must be the bill payer or
have the bill payers permission. Charges may be more from mobile phone. 10%
of all call revenues will go to the Formula Woman nominated charities. Full
entry details are also available on the Formula Woman website at
www.formulawoman.com.
- Ends -
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