NEWS
Celebrating Women of the VSCC - Q&A with Rachael Watkins
Wednesday 14 February 2018
We return to The Old Post Office for our third Q&A, celebrating women of the VSCC in honour of the centennary of women being awarded the vote in the UK. Rachael Watkins, the VSCC Speed Secretary, gave us an insight into her role with the Club.
What is your role at The Old Post Office and how long have you been working there?
Speed Secretary which means I organise the Sprints and Hill Climbs that make up the VSCC Speed Championship. I have just completed my first full year in the role.
What drew you to the motorsport industry?
Not sure I was drawn to the motorsport industry as such it was more a case of tripping over it accidentally and getting sucked in!
Motorsport is traditionally a male-orientated sport – what are your thoughts on this, and do you feel that it impacts your connection with your work in any way?
I think this statement is true in a Competitor sense, according to the MSA women currently make up only 8% of registered Licence holders, but women have been involved in Motorsport ever since the beginning in some form or another, behind the scenes not necessarily behind the wheel. That, however, is now changing as we see more female competitors making headlines such as former British racing driver Susie Wolff with her “Dare to be Different” campaign which is encouraging woman to get involved in Motorsport on all levels, and the 2017 British Sprint Champion Heather Calder who after 14 rounds beat her father by 6 points to take the trophy. With role models such as these it can only positively encourage more female participation on track as well as off.
How did you get involved with the VSCC and what attracted you to the Club?
I moved to Chipping Norton from London and whilst looking for a part time Admin position, I found the VSCC. Joining initially in September 2016 as an Admin assistant in the Competition’s department after some months I successfully applied for the full time Speed Secretary role. What attracted me? It’s the dedication of the Members both Competitors and Marshals alike, their passion and enthusiasm for what they do is admirable.
Tell us about some of your VSCC highlights...
My first ever event was a Sprint at Goodwood. The venue, the vibe, the cars just blew me away. Having never experienced vintage cars to that extent before it was exhilarating. Race meetings are always a highlight; I particularly enjoyed my tour around race control at Formula Vintage Silverstone.
What is your greatest achievement so far with the VSCC?
Prescott weekend. As with all of our events it is ultimately a team effort. The sheer scale of the event on every level generates a real buzz and to be involved in the preparation and smooth running fills me with a sense of pride.
What can we look forward to from the VSCC this year?
2018 is going to be an interesting year in terms of the Speed Championship. We are returning to Goodwood and we have a different format for our Loton weekend which is now a double header. The season will end with our Prescott Long Course Hill Climb and a Speed Championship awards ceremony after the event, which should bring the season to a satisfying close.
Entries are currently open for the 2018 Speed Championship. To enter or to find out more, visit our event pages.
Speed Secretary which means I organise the Sprints and Hill Climbs that make up the VSCC Speed Championship. I have just completed my first full year in the role.
What drew you to the motorsport industry?
Not sure I was drawn to the motorsport industry as such it was more a case of tripping over it accidentally and getting sucked in!
Motorsport is traditionally a male-orientated sport – what are your thoughts on this, and do you feel that it impacts your connection with your work in any way?
I think this statement is true in a Competitor sense, according to the MSA women currently make up only 8% of registered Licence holders, but women have been involved in Motorsport ever since the beginning in some form or another, behind the scenes not necessarily behind the wheel. That, however, is now changing as we see more female competitors making headlines such as former British racing driver Susie Wolff with her “Dare to be Different” campaign which is encouraging woman to get involved in Motorsport on all levels, and the 2017 British Sprint Champion Heather Calder who after 14 rounds beat her father by 6 points to take the trophy. With role models such as these it can only positively encourage more female participation on track as well as off.
How did you get involved with the VSCC and what attracted you to the Club?
I moved to Chipping Norton from London and whilst looking for a part time Admin position, I found the VSCC. Joining initially in September 2016 as an Admin assistant in the Competition’s department after some months I successfully applied for the full time Speed Secretary role. What attracted me? It’s the dedication of the Members both Competitors and Marshals alike, their passion and enthusiasm for what they do is admirable.
Tell us about some of your VSCC highlights...
My first ever event was a Sprint at Goodwood. The venue, the vibe, the cars just blew me away. Having never experienced vintage cars to that extent before it was exhilarating. Race meetings are always a highlight; I particularly enjoyed my tour around race control at Formula Vintage Silverstone.
What is your greatest achievement so far with the VSCC?
Prescott weekend. As with all of our events it is ultimately a team effort. The sheer scale of the event on every level generates a real buzz and to be involved in the preparation and smooth running fills me with a sense of pride.
What can we look forward to from the VSCC this year?
2018 is going to be an interesting year in terms of the Speed Championship. We are returning to Goodwood and we have a different format for our Loton weekend which is now a double header. The season will end with our Prescott Long Course Hill Climb and a Speed Championship awards ceremony after the event, which should bring the season to a satisfying close.
Entries are currently open for the 2018 Speed Championship. To enter or to find out more, visit our event pages.
