Prescott Hill Climb sees record female participation
Hill climbing is seeing a huge upturn in the amount of female participation. Attracted by the open, welcoming paddock and increased opportunities to get involved, more and more women are competing or volunteering in the discipline.
At last weekend’s Prescott Speed Hill Climb, held at one of the world’s most prestigious motor racing venues near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, a record number of women either competed or volunteered in an official capacity in the event.
Historically only 5% of UK motorsport participants in the UK are female, however close to 10% of the event staff at Prescott identified as female.
Across the event, women came together to fulfil roles including course marshals, clerks, stewards, senior officials, Event Secretary, venue management and catering, while others participated as photographers, live stream providers, timekeepers, hill climb school instructors and event administration.
A number also competed in the Hill Climb themselves, negotiating the beautiful 1,127 yard track, which rises over 200 feet on a technically challenging course, incorporating short straights, fast and slow corners and a tight hairpin.
Gemma Price, General Manager & Club Secretary of Prescott Hill Climb and member of Motorsport UK’s Women in Motorsport Committee, commented: “There has been a noticeable increase in female participation since I joined Prescott in 2020. The paddock is massively supportive, with many women double driving with husbands, mothers, sons and daughters. Hill climbing is generally a very friendly environment and due to the fact you can double drive and also compete in your road car, it is one of the most accessible forms of motorsport for anyone. We now receive many enquiries each year from men and women alike who are keen to get started.”