MEDIA RELEASE: Nineteen female motorsport stars are confirmed for the special Women in Motorsport display powered by Century Batteries, which features at this year’s CRC Speedshow celebrating the incredible achievements made by females in motorsport.
The incredibly talented line-up covers a wide range of motorsports and related professions, including international guest Jessi Combs, mechanic Frances Buckley and event organiser Deborah Day, to highlight women from all areas of engine-related sports during the two-day show held on 18 and 19 July in Auckland.
After previously announcing Emma Gilmour (rally driver), Katherine Benson (time-attack racer) and Deborah Day (event official), CRC Speedshow is pleased to announce the following Women in Motorsport participants, powered by Century Batteries, for the 20-strong display:
·Jessi Combs, United States of America, off-road racing, custom fabricator and the world’s fastest woman on four wheels
· Tiffany Chittenden, United Kingdom / Christchurch, karting
· Chelsea Herbert, Auckland, karting and circuit racing
· Amy Smith, East Tamaki, circuit racing
· Holly Boyd, Pukekohe, circuit racing
· Wendy Metcalfe, Bronwynne Leech & Sheridan Broadbent, Auckland, endurance circuit racing team
· Alexandra Whitley, Toowoomba (Australia), circuit racing
· Jodie Verhulst, Tauranga, drifting
· Christina Orr-West, Whakatane, circuit racing
· Stacey Price, Hamilton, drag racing
· Kirsten Vermuelen, Tauranga, speedway
· Courtney Duncan, Palmerston (Otago), Moto-X
· Sara Mason, Masterton, rallying
· Avalon Biddle, Orewa, motorcycle road racing
· Frances Buckley, Auckland, motorsport mechanic
· Amelia Wheeler, Auckland, speedway driver and V8 Supercars ITM 500 Pukekohe event coordinator
· Emma Gilmour, Dunedin, rallying
· Katherine Benson, Auckland, circuit racing
· Deborah Day, Auckland, event official / organiser
Century Batteries Sales and Marketing Manager, Ward Lye, says: “In what used to be a male dominated sport and industry, women are certainly making their mark; whether that be on the race track or using their technical talents behind the scenes. Century Batteries are proud to continue our support to all competitors out there, including these women who are leading the charge in what they do.”
Included in the line-up is New Zealand’s most successful rally co-driver (navigator), Sara Mason, who has now won 25 New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) rounds alongside her husband and multiple NZRC champion Richard Mason. Joining her is the youngest participant, Amy Smith, who at just 14 years old is already competitive in the Formula First category.
Meanwhile, representing the two-wheeled-motorsports are Avalon Biddle and Courtney Duncan who compete in motorcycle road racing and moto-x respectively, and who have both gained respect internationally due to their significant achievements on two wheels.
Tiffany Chittenden, originally from the United Kingdom but now living in Christchurch, is also included as she is the only female in history to have won a British karting championship.
Chittenden also works at Downforce as a professional driving instructor, is heading to the world championships in Las Vegas later this year, and in 2014 competed in New Zealand, England, Spain and the USA.
The final spot will be filled by a wildcard entry which is to be decided by a public vote currently running on CRC Speedshow’s Facebook page, finishing on Tuesday 30th June.
To have your say on the wildcard entry, please see CRC Speedshow’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/speedshownz
More information about the 2015 CRC Speedshow can be found on the website; www.speedshow.co.nz
