One thing we need to see is more and more female racers on track, and Motorsport Ireland has now launched a new initiative to encourage just that. The Girls on Track programme will try to get more girls into go-karting.
Feel that they're part of the karting family
Pointing out that karting "is an all-inclusive sport catering for both male and female competitors and is one of the few sports where male and female competitors can compete together on a level playing field from an early age" the head of the Girls on Track programme, Kieran Coleman, Chairman, Motorsport Ireland Karting Commission, said: "Through MI Karting Girls on Track, we want our young female competitors to feel that they are part of the MI Karting family and show that kart racing is open to women, in all of its aspects of sport, no matter whether they are a competitor, official, mechanic, sister, daughter or Mum."
As young as six
John Naylor, President, Motorsport Ireland said: "We want to encourage more females into Irish motorsport and karting is a great place to start from as early as six years of age. Through Girls on Track, Motorsport Ireland will nurture and support our young female license holders so that they can reach their full potential here in Ireland and internationally."
Full potential
Girls on Track says that its objectives include developing a programme of activity which will help young motorsport Ireland female licence holders to reach their full potential; developing social and educational programmes in order to encourage greater participation of women in motorsport; supporting young female drivers with mentoring, coaching, physical training and sports psychology; increasing the visibility and profile of all the female drivers in our sport, and demonstrating that women are recognised and valued by the Motorsport Ireland Kart Commission.
If you want to find out more, there's an open meeting, to be held on Zoom, on the 26th of May at 7.30pm. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to attend.