W Series has announced a collaboration with the RAF to open more doors for women in both motorsport and the armed forces.
The new initiative was announced on International Women’s Day, with the goal to erase gender .
The two industries will host a series of events to highlight the different career pathways available to women in these sectors, with the joint goal to inspire young girls and improve accessibility. W Series’ and the RAF’s current crop of female drivers, pilots, engineers, mechanics, and other support staff will also play a huge role in the initiative by working and training together, broadening their knowledge and developing their skillset.
The women from W Series will visit their counterparts at RAF Valley in Wales where last year’s W Series title contenders Jamie Chadwick and Alice Powell took to the skies in Hawk T2 jet-powered aircrafts. W Series first visited RAF Valley – home to No 4 Flying Training School, responsible for training the UK’s next generation of world-class fighter pilots – last May when it staged its pre-season test at the Trac Môn Anglesey Circuit.
Female pilots, flying instructors, engineers, physiotherapists, and medical staff from the RAF will get a close-up look at how a professional motor racing series operates both on and off track, observing everything from pit-stops to driver briefings.
Catherine Bond Muir, Chief Executive Officer of W Series believes the collaboration will empower girls to have more of a say in their future career options;
“I am immensely proud on International Women’s Day to begin this collaboration with the Royal Air Force which reinforces how serious we are about ending the gender imbalance in our respective industries. We have so much synergy with the Royal Air Force – our pilots, drivers, engineers, and mechanics operate at the highest level under immense pressure, showcasing their talent and hard work every day. Our shared vision is to get as many women into these positions as possible so that girls see these careers as a right, not a hope. Young women, it’s a great world out there for you so keep watching because if you can see it, you can be it.”
Catherine Bond Muir, W Series
Group Captain Andrew Turk, Station Commander, at RAF Valley is looking forward to the partnership and the opportunities it will bring;
“We are delighted to take our linkages with W Series to the next level. The RAF is the first branch of the British military to open every role to women and our shared values with W Series for equality makes us both passionate for addressing gender imbalance in our sectors. For the RAF, it is imperative for a 21st century fighting force to harness our people’s unique backgrounds, talents, and perspectives – our future success and security depends on it. This is especially true today as our female personnel actively support our air operations within NATO and further afield. I hope young women see how motorsport and military aviation, two highly rewarding and adventurous careers, are not just open to them but also offer them truly rewarding careers that will fulfil their potential. It doesn’t get much more exciting than this!”
Group Captain Andrew Turk, RAF Valley