Jamie Chadwick Confident in the Growth of Opportunities for Women in Motorsport
The prominent driver Jamie Chadwick is optimistic about the ongoing evolution of opportunities for women in the world of motorsports, both on and off the track. Chadwick, a three-time former W-Series champion, is preparing to compete this weekend in the United Kingdom, specifically at the Silverstone circuit, where a new edition of the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) will take place, an event that hasn’t been held in this location for six years. As part of the scheduled activities, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workshop for girls from local primary schools will be held on Friday at the Silverstone Museum. In addition, they will have the opportunity to try out the Kart Silverstone facilities, which are scheduled to open at the end of this year. Attendees will also be able to witness Chadwick’s first practice session, 27, in the penultimate round of the ELMS series. Chadwick, who recently expanded her all-female karting series to a junior category, hopes these events will serve as an inspiration for the next generation of drivers and engineers.Chadwick also commented that she has noticed a significant increase in interest and participation in events of this type, especially in her karting series in the UK, exceeding her initial expectations. Her goal is to broaden perceptions about motorsport and showcase the various opportunities available. More than 450 girls have participated in the Jamie Chadwick Series events. In 2024, Daytona experienced a 400% increase in female participation in casual sessions at its outdoor karting facilities. Chadwick added that the industry is experiencing a major transformation, with a greater presence of women in different roles, which contributes to diminishing the traditional male dominance in the sport. This, in turn, encourages young women and transforms the fan base and the culture of the sport. The goal is to showcase all the opportunities that motorsports offer, beyond track driving, highlighting the various roles and exciting elements that make it up. It is essential to provide girls with the opportunity to explore these options.For me, when I was the only girl among hundreds of boys at my local karting track, it wasn’t the most welcoming environment at first, but that’s changing now.
Jamie Chadwick
