On Thursday May 19, the Royal Automobile Club hosted a “Salute to Women in Motor Sport” dinner, celebrating the achievements of women across the whole spectrum of the sport and the motor sport industry.
The evening was hosted by Louise Goodman, award-winning TV presenter and journalist with more than 20 years in the industry who went around the room and spoke to 15 different women involved in the motor sport business.
Among the special guests and attendees were Claire Williams, who brought along nine members of the Williams Martini Racing Formula One team, from technical, engineering and other areas of the business. Sir Stirling and Lady Susie Moss came to show their support, along with the Secretary of the BRDC, Gillian Carr. Keeping it all in the family, there were two pairs of sisters in attendance; historic racers Chloe and Holly Mason (daughters of Club member Nick Mason) and Serena and Elise Whyte, both historic rally competitors.
Current and former British Women Racing Drivers’ Club Committee members included Helen Allen, Lorina McLaughlin, Tina Cooper, Georgie Shaw, Sarah Franklin and Helen Bashford-Malkie. The youngest attendee was 13-year-old kart racer Abbi Pulling, who no doubt enjoyed a very inspiring night. Carmen Jorda, 2015 Renault Sport Formula One development driver, also attended, along with vintage car racer Jo Blakeney-Edwards, F1 and WTCC Media Manager Annie Bradshaw, World Endurance Championship Media Manager Fiona Miller, and Caroline Hobbs, Vice Chair to the Doghouse WMRAC (Women’s Motor Racing Associates Club) — the world’s longest-standing motor racing club for ladies.
