FIA Girls on Track UK is delighted to announce that EXCELR8 Motorsport Team Owner, Justina Williams, has today (4 September 2020) joined its ambassador line-up.

Justina, whose EXCELR8 team competes in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), MINI CHALLENGE and Sports Prototype Cup, brings a wealth of expertise to the FIA Girls on Track UK initiative. Long before her love of motorsport, Justina had already fought her to way to success in the world of Judo and won her first gold medal at just eight years old. From there she went on to take an astounding 40 medals before clinching an International Award at 13.

Circumstances meant that Justina’s working life began at the age of 16. With grit and determination, she landed an apprenticeship in a Nuclear Power station as an Industrial Electrician. Thrust into a largely male-dominated arena, part of her job was to encourage females into the industry. “It was an easy sell for me as I’ve always believed that a girl can do any job a boy can do – if she wants to,” said Justina.

After successful careers in both real estate and financial recruitment, Justina’s motorsport passion was truly ignited when she began racing karts. Four years later, she decided to graduate to something with a roof and entered the highly competitive MINI CHALLENGE. In the first year of competition, Justina achieved fourteen podiums and two wins and, to this day, still holds the Brands Hatch lap record in her Cooper Class car.

Along with husband Antony, she was soon able to turn her part-time pursuit into a full-time business when the owners of the MINI CHALLENGE suggested the couple should start a team. In 2010, EXCELR8 Motorsport was born and in its first season stormed to victory to win the JCW Championship, growing from two cars at the start of the season to nine cars by mid-season. EXCELR8 Motorsport has since gained an impressive 21 championship wins. In 2013 Justina and Antony took complete ownership of MINI CHALLENGE, with the aim of becoming the ultimate one-make race series in the UK. More recently EXCELR8 has ventured into the highly acclaimed British Touring Car Championship. Furthermore, in 2020, the MINI CHALLENGE has graduated into the TOCA package as a support series to BTCC.

Commenting on her latest role as an FIA Girls on Track UK ambassador, Justina said: “It is fantastic to join the Girls on Track family. I have been closely following and participating in its work for some time now, and encouraging more females into all aspects of our sport is something close to my heart.

“Having spent many years working, not only in motorsport but in other industries that are considered stereotypically male,  I know how important it is to show young women that with determination and the right encouragement and vision,  they can do whatever they want to do in life.”

Sue Sanders, Director of Learning and Development, Motorsport UK, says, “We are thrilled to have Justina on board as an FIA Girls on Track UK ambassador. Not only does she have vast experience of working in many areas of motorsport – from grassroots through to major championships – she understands how vital it is to show young women and girls that it is possible to achieve whatever you want in life. It is said ‘you need to see it to be it’, and Justina is a perfect role model for the next generation of women within our sport.”