Amber is blazing a trail for women in motorsports
23-YEAR-OLD IN FINAL OF GLOBAL COMPETITION
THREE years ago Amber Leigh was only just learning how to drive.
But now the Killingworth 23-year-old is competing in a global motor racing competition in the hope of being named a ‘Formula Woman.’
The competition aims to get women with little or no experience of racing driving into motorsport. The winners are then entered into the 2022 GT Cup Championship, where they will have the chance to drive Mclaren GT4 race cars.
Amber’s motor racing journey began last year when she spotted an advert for the Formula Woman competition and decided to give it a go.
Although she’s enjoyed driving since passing her test within just six weeks at 20, Amber admits she wasn’t a fan of motor racing before she chose to enter.
“I was so fascinated by this amazing opportunity at the end of it that four women will be given a seat in a Mclaren for the GT Cup,” Amber said.
“You don’t have to have any experience so I signed up for it straight away
“I have never been involved in anything like this before.
“I have always enjoyed driving since I passed my test, but I have never competed in motorsport so it was all completely new to me.”
But Amber proved she has what it takes and after undergoing an assessment day in Wales, where she underwent driving and fitness tests, she managed to beat off stiff competition from more than 800 women from around the world to reach the final 50.
“The first time I drove on the track was in January this year during a track day at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire and that was just an eye-opening experience,” Amber said.
“You are on the track in a BMW 230i with coaches and other drivers and just getting used to the etiquette on track and learning how to control speed and get the most out of the car.”
Driving a BMW at speeds of 200mph isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it doesn’t faze Amber and her “natural ability” behind the wheel has already impressed Formula Woman competition founder Graeme Glew and Mclaren driver Katie Milner.
“It’s pretty exciting and you get such a rush when you come out of the car,” Amber said. “I’m so in the zone that I don’t notice I’m going that fast.”
Amber has also had some amazing experiences along the way, including a trip to Sweden to do ice driving in a Porsche.
Now she’s gearing up for the competition finals in March, where she will put what she has learned into practice.
But win or lose, Amber hopes her story will encourage other women and young girls to consider pursuing motorsport, which can be seen to be a male-dominated pursuit.
“I think the issue is that young girls are not exposed to motorsport as much as young lads,” she said. “My parents are not fans of motorsport and I didn’t see girls on the TV competing in it so I didn’t think that was something I could do when I was older.
“But this competition made me realise that there are women in motorsport who do some incredible things.
“I would say to other women and girls if there is anything that you think, ‘I would love to try that,’ then absolutely try it as you don’t know where it might lead.”
As she edges closer to her dream of winning the title, Amber is appealing for sponsorship to help cover the costs of the competition.
Anyone interested should email amleigh2011@gmail.com