Nerys gearing up to be world’s fastest disabled female driver
Nerys Pearce, Team BRIT’s first ever female driver, who is aiming to become the fastest disabled female driver in the world, has shared her story as part of this year’s International Women’s Day (March 8).
Nerys, 38, from Ascot in Berkshire, is an ex-army medic who suffered life changing injuries when she was hit by a car when on her motorbike in 2008.
Her left leg was completely crushed when it was trapped between the bike and car, her right leg was damaged, her right shoulder was badly dislocated and she sustained a serious head injury. She underwent a number of drug treatments and spinal blocks, until her body reacted badly, causing a spinal cord injury which left her paralysed from the chest down. After receiving support from the charity Blesma, which helped her overcome a sustained period of depression, Nerys has sought challenges and adventurous opportunities wherever she can. A world record holder, Commonwealth Games competitor and Invictus Games medallist, she now aims to add motor racing to her long list of achievements.
She began her first season with Team BRIT last year, which was cut short due to coronavirus restrictions. This year, with racing given the green light by Motorsport UK from 29th March, she wants to become the world’s fastest disabled female with Team BRIT.
Nerys explains; “International Women’s Day is all about celebrating gender equality and challenging out-dated perceptions, stereotypes and structures. I’m living proof that we should challenge and overcome in everything we do, whether that’s in the workplace, in sport or in our beliefs, so this year’s #choosetochallenge theme is very close to my heart.
“It’s really important that this isn’t just seen as a campaign across our social media channels each year, but as a trigger and reminder of the responsibility on all of us to place inclusion and understanding at the centre of everything we do.
“There aren’t many women racing drivers out there, there are even less disabled women racing drivers out there, and I hope I can help turn the tide and encourage women to try something they never felt possible.”
Nerys will return to the race track in the first round of the Britcar Championship on the April 25 at Silverstone.