Jamie Chadwick, a prominent figure in motorsports, expresses her optimism about the ongoing progress in creating pathways for women in the sport, which will facilitate access to more opportunities, both on and off the track. Chadwick, triple champion of the W Series, prepares to compete this weekend in the United Kingdom, where the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) returns to Silverstone after six years. On Friday, as part of the scheduled activities, students from local primary schools will participate in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workshop at the Silverstone Museum, and they will also have the opportunity to try out the Silverstone Kart facilities, which are scheduled to open later this year. In addition, Chadwick, 27, can be observed during the first practice session on the track, in the penultimate round of the ELMS series. Chadwick, who recently extended her own all-female karting series to a junior category, hopes that events like these will serve to inspire the next generation of drivers and engineers.
“In each event of this type, a significant increase is noted, interest has grown enormously.” The karting series that leads in the United Kingdom has exceeded expectations in terms of interest and participation, which drives it to continue growing. The goal is to broaden the public’s perception of motorsports, showcasing 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 on its outdoor karting tracks.“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,” Chadwick stated.
Jamie Chadwick
Regardless of gender, it is crucial to showcase the opportunities that sport offers, which go beyond performance on the track. There are numerous roles and important aspects in this sport, and giving young women the opportunity to discover them is fundamental.“It’s a great evolution of what we’re seeing, the industry is changing a lot. We see many more women in different roles, and I think the male dominance or bias that we’ve seen for so long no longer exists. Young women feel more motivated by it, and the fan base is also changing, as well as the culture of the sport,” she added.
Jamie Chadwick
