Mini girl racer is leading the pack
STUART PIKE
A1 2 - Y E AR- O L D stock car driver is leaving the opposition trailing in her wake by setting a hot pace at her racing club.
Ashley Gregory, from Rawtenstall, sits top of the leaderboard in a junior stock car racing competition, at Warton Raceway in Carnforth.
The club runs the races, open to boys and girls aged 11 to 15, which sees hundreds attend fortnightly meets with the season running from March through to October.
The sport, known as Ministox, originated in the mid-1970s and was set up to promote stock car racing for children.
Ashley, who lives on Hollin Way, Rawtenstall, started ministox car driving at the age of 10 after ●● Ashley Gregory in action and with some of her trophies regularly going to the club to watch races with her dad.
The Year 7 Alder Grange pupil explained: “I’d been going to the club for a while to watch the racing and really enjoyed it so I asked my dad if I could start racing.
“I got my first car when I was 10 which I’d practise driving on my grandad’s farm. When I first raced I wasn’t nervous at all because I’d got used to driving, it was really good fun. In my first race I came eight but as I’ve gone along I’ve moved further up the leaderboard and now I’m first.”
The racing is based on Formula 1 and 2 stock cars and is a contact sport.
Many of the top drivers in Formula One and Formula Two began their careers in minis.
The cars are strengthened, modified minis with a fully welded steel chassis, and heavy armour which protects the driver.
The engines are restricted to 1000cc with some slight modifications.
Ashley added: “I’ve had a couple of accidents.
“I rolled the car and it somersaulted down the track and I’ve also crashed into a wall.
“As I get older I want to move up to the senior minis league and eventually I think I’d like to be a mechanic.”
Ashley’s mum Judith Gregory admitted her daughter’s interest came as an initial surprise.
She said: “Ashley has been going to watch ministox racing with her dad for years, she took a real shine to it but I was a bit surprised when she decided she wanted to start racing. I was a bit apprehensive when she first started, but it soon became clear that she has a real knack for it, as she does with most sports as she is very competitive.
“She has had a few scary moments but the cars are quite protected.” ●● Bacup Pride volunteers and BASCO chairman Catherine Smyth with Morrisons staff A VALLEY entry has qualified for the finals of a North West women in business awards.
The Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAs) has seen 109 businesses from across the region represented, including one from Helmshore.
Lisa Mousley, of Chic Boutique Travel, will contest the Small Business award.
The winners will be announced on Friday, September 29, at an awards ceremony held at Blackpool Winter Gardens.