Sports
federations often talk about the importance of supporting women’s sport
but how many of these unions mean what they say and back it up with
action? One federation that has followed through on its word is
Motorsport South Africa, which launched a Women in Motorsport (WIM)
Panel nearly two years ago, aimed at developing women’s racing, and
it’s already making a difference.
MD of
Motorsport South Africa (MSA), and our March Woman , Beaulah Schoeman,
told gsport she was excited and optimistic about the state of women’s motor
racing.
“I
persuaded the MSA Board to create a “MSA Women in Motorsport Panel” in 2006 –
catering for all categories of motorsport. We adapted the Strategy &
Business Plan I developed for my FIM Women in Motorcycling Commission for the
Panel to include car and karting categories. Our Panel does not only focus on
involving women as competitors, but also training them as officials and
administrators and the success of the Panel has been phenomenal.
“An
extremely successful Women in Motorsport
day was held in five Provinces on National Women’s Day in 2007 and the Panel
plans on this year’s event being even bigger. Two new women’s classes were
introduced in 2007 and both have been so successful, competitive and well
supported that they were granted S.A. Championship status from this year.”
With
the formation of the WIM Panel, the number of women competitors increased from
219 in 2006 to 502 at the end of 2007, and the number of officials and
administrators increased from 164 to 288.
Last
month, with the support of sponsors, Motor Finance Corporation (MFC) and
Venditor Konica Minolta Racing, the Panel launched the Inaugural Women in Motorsport Shootout Challenge,
at Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria.
After
receiving an overwhelming response, the candidates where narrowed down to 10
finalists, including complete beginners, drag racers, oval track racing
specialists and rally navigators. The women were evenly matched throughout the
various challenges they faced, but in the end there could be only one winner,
and that was 27-year-old racing fanatic, Lydia Supra.
Lydia’s win in the
Inaugural WIM Shootout Challenge saw her walk away with a three-year racing
contract, driving a 1.8 Volkswagen Citi Golf, under the banner of the proud
sponsors, Motor Finance Corporation (MFC) and Venditor Konica Minolta Racing.
The first two year’s of
the contract (2008 and 2009) will be for the participation in Class B of the
Goldwagen VW Challenge category, followed by a third year (2010) where she may
drive a Class C VW Polo 1.9TDI in the National Bridgestone Production Car
category.
beaming inaugural Woman in Motorsport champion Lydia Supra (second from
left) is congratulated by Venditor Konica Minolta Racing Team Manager
and Sponsor Hennie Prinsloo (left), Wilmarie Janse van Rensburg (W.I.M
President) and Carolyn Reiners (MFC – Sponsor). Picture: Tony Alves
Speaking to
gsport about her win, Lydia
said: “Well to be perfectly honest, I was not to sure how good
my chances of winning were. The other women already had an
advantage of having participated in motorsport. I am very grateful for this
opportunity, this is really a dream come true for me!”
Lydia‘s passion for racing came about as
a result of her father and uncle having raced quarter miles for as long as she
can remember. When they were busy building and racing cars, she was there
beside them watching their every move. This is what drew her to motorsport.
Due to the
high costs involved in the sport, Lydia didn’t think she would be
able to accord to participate. She has been building a race car from scratch
for the last year, a project she is still keen to complete.
“I think
that they (MSA) have started with a great project that will give more
women, not just the opportunity, but also the motivation to live their
dream, as I was fortunate to be given this opportunity to live my dream.”
Lydia‘s goals for 2008 are to try her
best at improving her driving skills, to get to the front of the grid, and
mostly to have as much fun as possible. Her ultimate dream is to race a Wesbank
Modified car on a circuit and excel.
The success
of the Women in Motorsport Panel can
be put down to the dedication and hard work of the Panel’s President, Wilmarie
Janse van Rensburg, who is passionate about promoting women’s racing
gsport
managed to track down the super busy Wilmarie, who has been racing for 13
years. Her background is superbikes, having started on 50cc motorcycles. Due to
her involvement with the WIM Panel and her Motorcycle Rider
Training Academy,
she currently races 1000cc bikes internationally only, with the odd
invitational home race thrown in.
Wilmarie gave
us an insight into her success in the sport, her involvement in training and
development, and how women’s racing is progressing since the launch of the WIM Panel.
When were you appointed President of the Women in
Motorsport Panel?
Beaulah
asked me during 2006, but the panel was only actively in ‘action’ in 2007
How has WIM Panel contributed to the development of
women in motorsport?
I think it’s
contributed in many ways e.g.(a) Motivating leisure riders to participate and
race in the 1st Ladies Supermoto Challenge. (b) Recognizing our
current and future SA lady car racers and leisure drivers through our ‘Women’s
Shoot Out challenge’ for the 3 year sponsored drive. (c) Incentivising our lady
competitors by providing sponsorship money and media opportunities.
The
opportunities are endless and as a panel we have our work cut out for us…but I
look forward to helping all our ladies’ categories in motorsport
Tell us how you managed to convince MFC to come on
board as a sponsor?
I approached
MFC (The Motor Finance Corporation) during 2006 to support Women in Motorsport and to join us to start our ‘fresh’ initiative
together. They loved the idea of supporting Ladies in Motorsport and decided to
sign up with me for 2008 & 2009 again. We make a GREAT team and they are a
WONDERFUL sponsor
How have the women responded?
It’s
incredible, I’ve had so many emails from ladies, noticing that we are being
pro-active, wanting to help or be apart of it or asking for assistance as well.
It’s not easy because my first reaction is “yes, I’ll help…here is some
money..” . BUT I can’t, because it’s important that we spend the money that we
have more on ‘group’ projects before we are able to assist individually.
In order for
me to continue a long time with this, I will need to make sure the sponsor is
happy with maximized exposure. It’s small steps for now to ensure that our
money REALLY works for all parties involved, but it’s a challenge and a start
and it’s EXCITING!
gsport was delighted to hear about the success of
the inaugural WIM Shootout Challenge. How did that idea come about?
In all
honesty, my mind works over time J. …I was busy putting Menlyn
Shopping Centre’s Motor show together and asked Hennie from (Venditor Konica Minolta)
to park his beautiful race cars at Menlyn as well. We started talking and he
said he wants to help but wasn’t sure how, so I started thinking….I went back
to him a couple of days later and we’ve been working really well together since
that day.
What is your long term vision for the WIM Panel?
Long, long
term vision is to create a ladies only category of racing in each category of
motorsport. I’m busy with a project that is very ‘hush hush’ at the moment, but
when it comes through I believe I will be able to give the ladies and sponsors
in women in motorsport some incredible exposure that will lead to even more
opportunities for everyone involved.
You’re also an outstanding motorcycle
competitor, tell us about your career?
I’ve been racing for 13 years.
My background is superbikes. I started on 50cc motorcycles and am currently
racing 1000cc bikes internationally only. This is on a casual basis because WIM
and my Academy is keeping me to busy to do it all. I miss it dearly, but I’ll
stay in touch through my project and by competing in some ‘invitational’ events
e.g. The ZX10 cup at Kyalami on 12 April.
But the
highlight in my career was most definitely when I was leading the 250cc
Powersport Championship. I was the only lady racing against 35 male contenders
at a time. Winning was the best feeling and I was fortunate enough to have
great support that helped me put up two lap records. (one in Phakisa & the
other at Zwartkops race track) during my 250cc career. Racing overseas and
coming 3rd in the 500km World Endurance event in 2007 was a definite
high for me as well!
You also run the successful Motorcycle Rider
Training Academy.
How is that progressing?
It’s going
really great. Although I started the academy three years ago to help lady
motorcyclists, I can happily say that today we train approximately 60% ladies
and 40% men. I try very hard to give the best service and to provide the best
staff (instructors) to assist students.
We are very
busy at this stage and I do not complain for one second because it’s good for
business and great for the industry. I’m starting to also develop the scooter
training and off-road training section at the moment. www.sqracing.co.za
Where does your passion for motorsport come from?
I honestly
think I was born with it. I don’t have any family members that use to race. But
my mother use to ride a 250cc when I was in primary school. I think that was
the beginning for me J. After that it was exciting to
date the boys in high school that owned their own motorcycles. I wanted to be
close to them and learn more about it.
Then I
decided that I wanted to do it myself…that’s where the learning journey
started. Nothing comes without hard lessons, and this is why I wanted to try
and make it better and easier for other motorcyclist enthusiasts by sharing my
knowledge and experience
What is your advice to women, young and old, who are
keen to break into motorsport?
You are
never too young or to old. I wish I started when I was younger. Motorsport
gives you something in your life that I can’t really explain. It’s a sense of
power and control. It keeps me motivated, active and young J. Try
it , at least once, nothing comes close to the thrill you get from motorsport.
Tell us about some of the exciting women in motorsport and what makes them so special?
There are
too many for me to point out and I don’t want to seem biased. But at the moment
I’m very excited about our ‘Women’s Shootout Challenge’ winner, Lydia Supra. She
is 27 with no racing experience, but loads of talent. I’m going to enjoy
watching her grow.
What do you attribute to the success of women like you and Beaulah Schoeman in motorsport?
If I
understand your question correctly, I must be honest, our success comes from
very, very hard work, we don’t accept no for an answer if we truly want
something or believe in something. We like to make a difference. And most importantly
we don’t stand back for the other gender J
How can someone contact the WIM Panel?
Call MSA on
011 466 2440 or visit the website on www.motorsport.co.za
and go to the Women In Motorsport section.
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