Formula Woman seeks to find the next star female racing driver.
So why have I joined this community of prospective women racing drivers -
other than I can't ignore a challenge?
The main reason is a very personal one, and one of which I have become more and more supportive. As a trans-competitor, part of the core team for Racing Pride and a member of Motorsport UK's LGBT+ sub committee, I have become aware of the difficulties that some LGBT+ people have to overcome to even get started in motorsport.
I want to dispel any fears that motorsport is gender discriminatory
I believe that those of us who are LGBT+ and who compete or officiate should be more visible to encourage other LGBT+ to take the plunge and join us. I hope my participation of Formula Woman will go some way to dispel any fears that motorsport is in any way gender discriminatory.
Another reason is that I believe in women having an equal opportunity within all disciplines of motor sport however old they may be. My own attitude is that one should be able to follow any dream at any age. As a 'Senior Citizen', I would like to think that any others who read this website will be enthused to 'have a go' - there is, as the initial invitation says, no upper age limit, and all applicants are accepted.
Age is no bar to rising to challenges.
As one who is no longer in the first flush of life, I have since retirement: started to sail with an unsuccessful attempt to crew a Round the World Clipper, instead crewing Youth Tall Ships Challenger yachts; piloted a glider and a Tiger Moth; driven on a number of Track Days; and marshalled at rallies and races. Age is no bar to rising to challenges.
Formula Woman has already attracted global interest and is all about creating opportunities for all women who wish to get involved in motorsport. The successful applicants who get through to the finals will have the most superb opportunity to race a McLaren 570s GT4 in the 2022 GT Cup.
As one of many hundreds who belong to 'Formula Woman' I now need to focus on changing from rally driving to race driving, as well as finding personal sponsorship.
The Formula Woman competition will be broadcast on television, and I aim to create a social media buzz about my participation in the competition and gain coverage from local media.
My own personal sponsors will have a presence on my car, helmet or overalls - and for my side of the bargain I would be more than willing to attend company meetings to talk about Formula Woman and what it means to me as a transgender participant.
If you would like to be involved and support my journey you can get in touch at rowena-racing@rafiki.me.uk