A COMPETITION which aimed to provide an avenue for more females to become involved in motorsport is back – and Knockhill Racing Circuit is set to be involved.

The ‘Formula Woman’ series, which was founded originally in 2004, is set to return to the track next year and its organisers, Totally Motorsport Group, are now seeking expressions of interest from those who wish to take part.

During its inaugural season, Formula Woman – the brainchild of motorsport entrepreneur Graeme Glew – attracted 10,000 applicants nationwide, including local rivers Kim Wilson and Nicola Gill.

A total of 3,500 women were assessed at race tracks across the UK – including Knockhill – and 100 finalists then took part in a three-day shoot-out to find 16 racers who went on to compete in the first-ever Formula Woman Championship.

The competition’s opening year, which was broadcast by ITV alongside Formula One, and saw drivers receive sponsorship, was won by Natasha Firman at Brands Hatch after eight closely-fought races, while in its second year, a record number of female drivers – 62 – at a single motorsport event was set in Wales.

Glew commented: “Everyone is looking forward to 2021 and escaping this awful pandemic year.

“We decided to find out if women out there want to take the challenge to see how good they are at driving. The lucky winners will be driving and racing something rather special!”

When asked about Knockhill’s involvement, Stuart Gray, the venue’s director of events, commented: “We have been in talks with them and will be one of the assessment venues in the autumn of 2021, with their series starting in 2022.

“We will be giving it some exposure via our platforms soon to help drum up interest from Scotland.”

An ‘expression of interest’ website for the competition was launched last month, where novice, female drivers can register their intention to take part to determine the level of interest.

Following that, and the easing of coronavirus restrictions, an application process will begin to determine who will be able to take part in what organisers have described as “the chance of a lifetime”.

Following the application process, assessments – which are set to be televised – will take place at a number of racing circuits across the United Kingdom, which will decide who qualifies for the next stage.

Firman commented: “For me, it was a fantastic experience.

“Ten thousand girls entered, and 16 of us went through to race six races across the UK on some of the best national circuits.”

To qualify for an assessment, you must be over 17 with a full driving licence and have had little or no racing experience.

To register your interest, visit www.formulawoman.co.uk, and fill in the expression of interest form.