Motor mum revs up

Feb 20 2003 Christopher Beesley, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

A STANNEY Oaks mother with a need for speed is hoping to become Ellesmere Port's own Michael Schumacher by applying to join the UK's first female-only motor sport series.

Lesley Jones, 41, was one of the first applicants for the new Formula Woman championship launched at the Autosport International Show at Birmingham's NEC last month.

The budding race ace has been driving since she was 17 but has no previous experience in the sport and put her name forward for selection after reading an advertisement in a national Sunday paper.

Lesley said: 'They said no experience was necessary as training would be provided. I just had to make up a slogan as to why I should be selected to race in Formula Woman and I put 'I'm the fastest mum on the school run!'

Currently, Lesley drives her Vauxhall Corsa to Woodlands Pre-School each day to drop off four-year-old daughter Eden.

But if she joins the Formula Woman ranks she will be behind the wheel of the all-new Mazda RX-8 mean machine on circuits like Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Donington Park.

Lesley said: 'I was shocked when Formula Woman got back to me and it's likely I'll be going for some tuition at Oulton Park.

'My partner, Mike Richardson, works at Vauxhall so he's usually happy to get away from driving at the weekend by handing me the keys for any long journeys.

'He sometimes has to remind me to take my foot off the accelerator but that won't be a problem if I become a racing driver!

'Mike's also a big Formula One fan and although he's really pleased for me I think he might just be a little bit jealous on the inside because he wishes it was him.'

The Formula Woman Championship will run a 10-12 race series across UK circuits in 2004, subject to Motor Sport Association approval.

Prospective drivers will be invited to attend assessment days between May and July this year before being put through tests of driving, fitness, reactions, personality and presentational skills.

The best 16 drivers will then gear up for on an intensive training course throughout the winter.