Women in Motorsport Promotion a Great Success

MEDIA RELEASE
12 MARCH 2015

Women in Motorsport Promotion a Great Success

Sunday's Eastern Southland Car Club/Motorsport NZ "Have A Go Ladies Fun Day Grass Autocross" joint promotion near Balclutha proved to be a great success.

Forty ladies entered the event with ten under the age of eighteen, twenty-three in either their first event or with very limited competition experience and seven with a little more time in the sport. Competitors came from as far south as Invercargill through to Dunedin with competitors as young as twelve, including twins Carla and Grace Jessop of Stirling who had only celebrated their twelfth birthday two days before the event. A quick driving lesson with their father, Eastern Southland Car Club President Craig Jessop, on Saturday and they were ready to go on Sunday along with older sister Sarah and mother Rachel who were also competing.

While it was a fun day, results counted for many with friendly rivalries to the fore throughout the day. Overall winner was Jennie Hasler-Jacobs of Balclutha in a Toyota Starlet ahead of Invercargill's Rachel Lawrie in a Mitsubishi Mirage. Brodie Henderson of Invercargill was third in a Subaru Legacy RS. Of the Under 18 competitors Jasmine Burron took the fastest time from Briana Vincent and Sarah Jessop who finished one place behind her mother in the overall standings.

There were several family combinations with wives, daughters and sisters all taking part while many of the ladies took advantage of the use of cars provided by the Eastern Southland Car Club.

While the rivalry was healthy a very light hearted, well supported, prizegiving followed the event at the Rosebank Lodge in Balclutha. In a happy coincidence the Ladies Day coincided with International Women's Day.

Event organiser, Roger Laird of the Eastern Southland Car Club, said the event was "a huge success with lots of support from within the club and in trade prizes, smiles and a great social atmosphere," he said.

Next weekend, Sunday 15 March, the Southland Sports Car Club will host Round Two of the Laird Motorsport & Models Southern Interclub Autocross Series at Teretonga in Invercargill with full information available from www.teretonga.org.nz

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