Due to lack of visibility, access and confidence currently only 5% of UK licenced racing drivers are female. That’s why Motorsport UK is on a mission to increase female participation in the sport via unique initiatives that we power to support females in motorsport, whether you are looking at competing, volunteering or just getting more involved as a fan. These incredible programmes are changing the game and helping to influence wider initiatives.
As we approach International Women’s Day on Sunday, 8th March, here are seven ways you can get involved this spring:
1. Aged 8-12? Join a Motorsport UK Girls Karting Academy April taster day!
Experience karting in a bespoke environment built for young females, via a Motorsport UK Girls Karting Academy taster day during the Easter holidays at a TeamSport (indoor kart) location near you. The Girls Karting Academy aims to inspire and invite the next generation of female talent into motorsport – it’s fun, girls only and family friendly.
Already the Girls Karting Academy has introducing over 800 young girls to motorsport. At each taster day girls can get behind the wheel in TeamSport’s arrive and drive karts for three-on track sessions and experience two hours of off-track fun activities, building skills and confidence with the chance to compete for a paid scholarship in karting for the 2027 season.
Click here for more details on the Girls Karting Academy or here to book onto an event.
2. Join the Motorsport UK’s Girls on Track community
Motorsport UK’s Girls on Track community for girls and women interested in exploring the motorsport industry, is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026 with multiple activities across the year including community hub events – a great way to get involved in your local area. Each event is embedded within an existing motorsport fixture, making them great fun and immersed in atmosphere and action.
Events include exclusive behind‑the‑scenes motorsport access, opportunities to meet key personnel and volunteers who deliver each event, and dedicated time for meaningful networking within the motorsport ecosystem.
Upcoming events include:
- Southern Hub: Brands Hatch (British Touring Car Championship) – Saturday 9 May
- Northern Ireland Hub: Ulster (Ulster Rally) – Thursday 6-Friday 7 August
- Scottish Hub: Knockhill (Caterham Racing Festival) – Saturday 15-Sunday 16 August
- Northern England Hub: Oulton Park (Gold Cup) – Sunday 30 August
- Welsh Hub: Ceredigion (Rally Ceredigion) – Friday 4-Saturday 6 September
Click here to register interest in one of these events, here to join the Girls on Track UK mailing list and here for the Girls on Track UK community Facebook page.
3. Explore an IntoSpeed event
The British Women Racing Drivers Club (BWRDC) powers multiple IntoSpeed hill climb days that offer female drivers chance to experience the sport through hill climbing. Supported by Motorsport UK, the events offer the chance to get behind the wheel in a comfortable environment and are renowned for helping women gain confidence as they start their journey in motorsport.
The club has been running for over 60 years and as well as providing valuable advice, it also runs a variety of points-based championships in which women from different motorsport clubs, racing in different competitions and disciplines, can all compete against each other for a range of impressive trophies.
Click here for more information on IntoSpeed and here for more information on Hill Climbing.
4. Enter the Rally W competition
Rally W is Silverstone Rally School’s exciting competition dedicated to discovering the next great female rally driver.
The competition takes place at Silverstone Rally School in Northamptonshire over multiple assessment dates between 1st March and 31st July and involves driving a rally car and participating in theory sessions. Each entrant will participate in various disciplines with 10 finalists selected from the assessment days to go through to the final in August. There are prizes for the top three, with the winner receiving expert training, mentorship, and the opportunity to compete in a fully-funded rally event.
Click here for more information on Rally W and here for more information on how to get involved in rallying.
5. Try an autosolo this Sunday, on International Women’s Day!
The Under 17 Motor Club – North will be holding an autosolo event (navigating a course of cones against the clock) on International Women’s Day at their Blackburn venue, organised by and for female competitors. Women are actively encouraged to get involved in both competing and marshalling.
Autosolo is a great low-cost way to start competing in motorsport in your own car.
Click here for more information on this event and here on how to get started in motorsport with your own car.
6. Take part in an all-female Marshal Taster Day
The British Motorsport Marshals Club (BMMC) is holding a taster day for women interested in exploring marshalling, on Sunday 7th June at Brands Hatch. Not only is this a great opportunity to get started in marshalling but it is being held during the circuit’s acclaimed American Speedfest event headlined by NASCAR Euro Series, one of the most visceral championships on the continent and with lots of US-themed entertainment on (and off) track.
American Speedfest attracts a huge crowd but the marshals get a trackside view of all the action and a fantastic opportunity to get up close to the sport.
Click here for more information on marshaling and to register interest for this event, please email liamjbmmc@gmail.com
7. Watch F1: The Academy on Netflix
With the latest series of Drive to Survive dropping in time to catch up on the 2025 season one week before the Australian Grand Prix, get acquainted with F1: The Academy ahead of next week’s F1 ACADEMYTM curtain-raiser at the Chinese Grand Prix event.
In case you missed it, the series, produced by Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine company, follows a similar format to the acclaimed F1 behind-the-scenes docudrama and premiered in May last year. Seven episodes feature appearances from F1 ACADEMYTM Managing Director Susie Wolff and the all female drivers, including Motorsport UK Academy graduate Abi Pulling, as they battle on track and tell their personal stories away from the circuits.
The highly-watchable series provides great entertainment and is a great motivator for women of all ages to get involved in motorsport.
Click here for more information on how to get started in motorsport.