as pro engineering ltd.
  • lightweighting
    • automotive
    • aerospace
    • cycling
  • racing
  • about
  • contact
  • lightweighting
    • automotive
    • aerospace
    • cycling
  • racing
  • about
  • contact

Women in Motorsport | Rebecca Jackson Talks Motor Racing

26/8/2019

1 Comment

 
women in motorsport

Rebecca Jackson, GT & Le Mans racing driver, TV presenter and recent mum of twins, talks to as pro engineering ltd. about the allure of racing and women in motorsport today.

photos: rebeccaracer.com
words:  BAM Motorsports

In sharp contrast to the growth of women excelling in other sporting pursuits, there is a smaller percentage of women in motorsport competing in the top tiers, compared to ten years ago. For example, of the 900 drivers who have competed in the history of Formula 1, just 2 have been female; the most recent of which, Lella Lombardi, was over 40 years ago in 1976.

There are no reasons why women can’t perform as well on the racetrack as men. In fact, advances in race car design have significantly reduced the physical demands of racing, making it more accessible to women than ever before.

So what are the barriers preventing women from participating at the top levels of motorsport today?
women in motorsport
In this article, as pro engineering ltd. catches up with sponsored racing driver Rebecca Jackson to discuss her racing career, rising from club-level racing to competing at Le Mans in 2016. We also discuss her thoughts on the new W Series, aimed exclusively at women, as well as Rebecca's insight into the current state of the industry for women in motorsport in 2019.

A highly competent GT racing driver, Rebecca's career originally began racing Porsches. From humble beginnings in club-level motorsport, she quickly rose through the ranks, claiming the 2013 BRSCC Porsche Production Boxster Championship along the way.

As a relative late-comer to motorsport, competing in your first circuit race in 2011 at the age of 28, what originally sparked your interest in racing?

"I have always loved cars right from an early age. I was pushed around the outskirts of Silverstone Circuit in my pram when I was just 6 weeks old while my father was racing."

"I very much enjoyed spending time with him in the garage at home while he maintained his classic cars when I was a young girl."

"As a family we were not fortunate enough to be able to fund a racing career for me, so I entered motorsport in a non-traditional fashion, setting my sights on some pretty major goals."

women in motorsport
You initially started racing at club-level. What was the allure of the Le Mans programme?

"I knew I wanted to race at Le Mans before I even did my first race. It was my dream."

"Le Mans is the most alluring and arguably the most prestigious 24 hour endurance event in the world. As a sports car fan and racer, it is the ultimate."

"There’s no other race like it!"


It’s quite a step up from club racing to compete in an LMP3 car (as used in the Le Mans race). How did you prepare mentally and physically for the demands of prototype racing?

"Yes, my goal was huge and the step up each year was massive! The first time I saw the Ligier LMP3 car that I was going to drive and race, I thought “Wow, little me is going to drive that!” I was almost overwhelmed."

"But, as soon as my seat was moulded and I drove it down the pitlane at Paul Ricard, I realised, being in a racing car is like being in my lounge chair. I’m so comfortable and happy on circuit."


"The combination of the simulator, right mindset and an intense physical training regime, along with a healthy racing driver’s diet ensured I was as best prepared as I could be."

There are many successful women in motorsport – Simona de Silvestro, Flick Haigh, Tatiana Calderon to name but a few. Do you believe there are any reasons why women can’t compete at the highest levels of motorsport?

"I do not believe there are any physical reasons why women can’t compete at the highest levels of motorsport. There certainly were many decades ago, as the cars were extremely physically demanding to hustle around the circuits."

"But modern racing cars, combined with up to date training regimes, means a much slighter build is perfectly suited to racing motor cars. Therefore, men and women can compete on an even playing field."

women in motorsport
With estimated costs of around £6.5 million to propel a young driver from Junior racing categories to Formula 1 levels, money is a significant barrier.

Indeed, there are many talented aspiring drivers, both male and female, whose potential does not get a chance to shine due to a lack of finances.

Motorsport is an industry driven by money. What would be your advice to aspiring racing drivers starting out in karts or single seaters?

"Stick with it and follow your dreams. There is always a route to success if you want it badly enough, you just need to look for it and seize every opportunity that comes your way."


However, the absence of prominent female drivers in the top tiers of motorsport may make it even harder for women to gain the financial support needed to progress through the racing ranks.
w series racing
It’s this barrier which the W Series hopes to address, aiming to provide women in motorsport with the platform and experience to be considered for top drives in high-profile championships, on a par with their male counterparts.

Launched in October 2018, the W Series has already made headlines and it’s fair to say has received a fairly mixed response. What are your thoughts on an all-female single-seater racing category?

"In today’s age, we do not need to segregate men and women into separate racing categories. This is a step backwards, in my opinion."

"However, if we see a female Formula 1 driver emerge as a result of the W series, then I will be extremely happy for that individual."


Thanks for taking the time to catch up with us today Rebecca, what can we expect from you for the rest of 2019?

"I have recently given birth to twins, so my focus for the next few months is giving them the best start in life I can. In the Autumn, I will be back on the circuit giving hot laps and I will be taking my babies with me to a variety of motorsport and automotive events - watch out for them on my social media!"

You can follow Rebecca Jackson on social media & find out more about her racing history here.


Do you think physical and financial barriers still prevent women in motorsport from racing at the highest level? Do you think men and women should race in separated classes and championships, or rather, be encouraged to race toe-to-toe and wheel-to-wheel?
Let us know your thoughts & opinions in the comments section below!
Please remember to like & share our content and check out as:feed for more news, race reports & announcements!

recommended for you:
Picture
Celebrating 5 Years: Our Top 5 Engineering Projects
Rebecca Jackson
Preparation. Planning. Performance | Aiden Moffat Talks BTCC Strategy
Picture
Caterham F1 CT05
Race Car Rebuild

Picture
Discover how as pro engineering ltd. can help you succeed with your next engineering project:
our services

home / as:feed
female racing drivers

Categories

All
Aiden Moffat
BTCC
BTCC 2018
BTCC 2019
BTCC 2020
Ecurie Ecosse
Engineering
Hamish Brandon
MINI JCW Challenge
Pandamonium Racing
Racing
Rebecca Jackson
Sponsorship

Archives

July 2020
May 2020
August 2019
March 2019
December 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
April 2018
April 2017
April 2015

RSS Feed

1 Comment
Taylor Hicken link
4/10/2021 03:38:18 am

I liked it when you shared that there are many talented aspiring drivers, both male and female who are looking for the chances to become professional drivers. My friend just mentioned the other day that she is interested in becoming a race car driver just like her father. I will suggest to her joining an online class that can help her become one.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    July 2020
    May 2020
    August 2019
    March 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    April 2017
    April 2015

    Categories

    All
    Aiden Moffat
    BTCC
    BTCC 2018
    BTCC 2019
    BTCC 2020
    Ecurie Ecosse
    Engineering
    Hamish Brandon
    MINI JCW Challenge
    Pandamonium Racing
    Racing
    Rebecca Jackson
    Sponsorship

    RSS Feed

START a project consultation today

Contact as pro engineering ltd. for a no-cost half-hour consultation to discuss your project requirements.

No obligation required, just tell us what you're hoping to achieve with your project and discuss the lightweight products you'd like us to design & prototype for you.

call now
e-mail now

connect with us

stay updated

as:feed

work with us

careers

legals

Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Site Map
as pro engineering ltd. - chartered mechanical engineers - advanced engineering design specialists
Design Office
1/2 West Maitland Street
Edinburgh
EH12 5DS
Scotland

t: +44(0)131 228 5485
e: info@asproengineering.com


Accreditations

IMechE Logo
Chartered Engineer
Picture
         
registered company no. SC 490711                VAT no. GB 211 0723 70        © 2023 as pro engineering ltd. all rights reserved