Friday 15 February 2013

16 Days Until …

The Silverstone Half Marathon

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OK, so people always have a story about how they sign up to run these types of events. Was it a silly statement sat around a pub table having a drink one night. Not for me. This is purely a self punishment! In the turn of 2012 I decided not to have New Years Resolutions but to have 30 things to do before I turned 30. On this list was to run a 10K. Yes, I am a PE teacher. Yes, I should be pretty fit. But I HATE running! I find it so so boring. So thought a 10K would be a suitable challenge to take part in during 2012. Jan and Feb came and went, then suddenly it was July. I saw an event I wanted to do in July however this clashed with a motor racing commitment. Then suddenly it was Sep, Oct and then my birthday in November. How had I let 10 months past and not run a 10K. So the punishment for not completing it was to sign up for the Silverstone Half Marathon. The thought process behind this is ‘If I cant run a half marathon around Silverstone, I cant do it anywhere!’

So I have been training for the event, but have found it very hard to fit the required mileage in for half a marathon. I’ve decided to run for completion, which will still be a great achievement. I have averaged about 3 runs a week and have also done other exercise such as rowing and hockey. I was pleased to run 10K on a treadmill without stopping a few weeks ago. This has given me confidence that with the right mind set I will be able to complete it.

Thought I would post it on here and then I cant chicken out! Life is about personal challenge and I’m a believer in being the best that you can be. We will see what happens. Why did I sign up for this again?? Amanda

Friday 8 February 2013

BWRDC Awards Lunch 2013

Amanda attended her first British Women Racing Drivers Club Awards lunch. After competing in a very successful 2012 season in the Classic Caterham Graduates racing series. She was up for a few awards.

66103_370463269719297_18389767_n (2)The awards ceremony took place at the Heritage Motor Centre, Warwickshire with special guest speaker and previous Formula 3 driver Natalie Goodwin. Amanda achieved the Jean Denton newcomers award for the best performance in the first year of full racing membership, this award was presented by Ian Titchmarsh.

Nervously making her first speech as she h539112_370463313052626_1925095532_n (2)ad nothing prepared as she didn’t know she was having to make a speech. Being a teacher at Skegness Grammar School she’d had plenty of practice talking in assembly! She was still pretty nervous, but happy that she managed to get a few laughs!

66148_370463203052637_2008176296_n (2)Amanda was also presented with the Goodwin trophy for the BWRDC Racing championship, presented by Natalie Goodwin and this was won by achieving the highest amount of BWRDC points in the 2012 season. This award was significantly helped by Amanda’s outstanding performance at Cadwell Park last September, where she achieved 2 pole positions, 2 fastest laps, 2 wins, a 2nd and a 3rd. All in one weekend!

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Amanda was expecting to receive 3 awards at the ceremony. She classified this as a major achievement and was very proud across a very talented field of female racing drivers. The third trophy was the VIP Adrenaline trophy for the best performance in a sports or sports racing car, presented by Ian Tichmarsh.

This trophy just so happened to be a cast iron Caterham, what a great coincidence! After receiving her 3rd and final trophy Amanda sat down to relax. The last award of the ceremony was to be announced at the end of the day. It was the Embassy trophy for the club champion, of which Amanda had no idea that she could be in the running for the award, let alone win it. She was delighted to have won. WOW – Club Champion and trophy number 4!

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Amanda was presented with the Club Champion Embassy trophy by Helen Bashford-Malkie and Gail Hill.

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Oh no! Amanda had to make another unplanned speech. Maybe this is something she should get use to? A few laughs in the bag and a few racing stories told including crashing into the pitwall at Anglesey and then bouncing back for the next round at Thruxton with a double pole and her first race win.

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Amanda with all 4 trophies and still in shock! It was a fantastic awards ceremony and she was honoured to be part of such a great event and club. There are really some talented female racing drivers around and to win so many awards really is an accolade.

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BWRDC Award winners
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The countdown to the 2013 season has already started and new partners are to be announced shortly. 2013 will see her swap her Orange Caterham Classic for a Black Caterham Sigma for a new and exciting challenge. The 2012 season would not have been possible without the continued support from Skegness Grammar School, Signs of the Times and For your walls. Thank you, lets hope we can achieve even more silverware and success in 2013.

2012 Champion

More information on the British Women Racing Drivers Club can be found at www.bwrdc.co.uk If you want to get involved in something special, unique, please do not hesitate to get in touch. amanda.black@hotmail.co.uk

Photo’s taken by Jeff Bloxham. Many thanks.