Two racing drivers vying for top position in an International Motorsport Championship have visited RAF Valley to see first-hand how their RAF counterparts operate and fly fast jets.
Top British female racing drivers Jamie Chadwick and Alice Powell are competing in the W Series Championship which provides equal opportunities for women and eliminates the financial barriers that have historically prevented them from progressing to the upper echelons of motorsport. Drivers are selected purely on their ability and the racing cars are mechanically identical.
"W Series first came to visit us in April and brought their cars. That was the first time I’d heard of them but since then we’ve been out to Silverstone to watch them race and that was amazing. I’m now really excited about watching the final, with Alice and Jamie up at the top of the leader board. Two Brits, which is awesome to see, so I’m really interested to see how they do in the USA. There are so many people involved in getting us airborne for just one hour and I love to see women in engineering roles. The 'lineys,' those working in Operations on the desk, it always brings a smile to my face when I walk past other women who are helping me get airborne and I think it goes both ways as well. So we’d all just love to see more women in, the more the better."
Flight Lieutenant Conder
Training Pilot
Personnel at IV (AC) Squadron were excited to meet the drivers and share best practise and to explore the attributes that racing drivers and engineers share with RAF personnel.
"It almost felt unreal, like I was playing a video game the whole time. I constantly had to remind myself that it was the real thing. Then during some moves the G Force going through your body is immense so it was an unbelievable experience.”
Jamie Chadwick
Racing Driver
IV (AC) Squadron is one of two Hawk T2 Squadrons at RAF Valley and is the RAF’s last gate of training before personnel move on to the front-line in Typhoon or Lightning, teaching pilots the attack weapons elements that provide them with the building blocks for their combat flying careers.
"I’ve really enjoyed it, apart from being sick. The day’s been great apart from that. I think it was my own flying that made me feel sick. Everyone else’s flying was perfect apart from my own."
Alice Powell
Racing Driver
Below is a video of the Station personnel and Racing Drivers at RAF Valley.
"W Series is the first and only all female single seater racing series in the world. We have so much synergy with the Royal Air Force. The RAF has pilots, we have drivers, but we also have a lot of engineers and mechanics. The aim is to try to get as many women into those positions as possible."
Catherine Bond Muir
Racing Manager
"We’re a meritocracy and this is one of the things that Catherine is trying to break down in racing. In other series drivers normally need sponsors in advance to be able to compete but with W Series and with the RAF you don’t need that backing, you get through on your merits. We’ll take you for who you are and develop you through the system to make the best of you and help you to fulfil your potential."
Group Captain Turk
RAF Valley Station Commander
The W Series finale will take place at 'Circuit of the Americas,' in Austin, Texas between the 22nd and 24th October 2021.
