My first kart was a Blow Invader with a K77 engine and my first proper race was at Burtonwood Circuit on 7th May 1972.
I recall the the oil and petrol ratio was 16–1 and we used STP. The length of the exhaust system, for tuning, was 31–inches. On the day we had two temporary piston seizures, which were found and filled before a major seizure occurred. I finished 6th and got 1 point towards the Lancashire Kart Club Victor Ludorum. The weather conditions were heavy rain towards the end of the meeting with a very greasy track before an absolute deluge
Single Seater Car Racing
In 1974, after making second reserve for the 100cc British Kart Team, I set my sights on Formula Ford.
My first car was a Lotus MX61, which I bought in the summer of 1975 with the money from a bank loan and the sale of my kart. Competing alongside acknowledged stars in Formula Ford, such as Eddie Jordan, I gained two second, three third, a fourth and sixth place in my first season in 1974.
By gaining my first Sponsor, J & P Polymers Services, this enabled me to compete in the winter races, which helped me to secure the British Women’s Racing Drivers Club Helen Spence and Jean Denton Newcomers award in 1975. In fact, I just pipped Divina Galica, the British Olympic downhill skier turned racing driver, to the top spot with all the sponsorship and backing. A glamorous Glitzy star studded presentation took place in London where I received my awards from BBC radio presenter, Dave Lee Travis.
In 1976, after buying a new Crossle 30F, I had a number of excellent places in Formula Ford and this brought acclaim and a great selection of trophies by the end of the season. One example was at Silverstone Circuit, on 28th March 1976, where I led the race for a while in the Crossle, but finished third.
However, during the frantically close competition, all hopes were dashed of securing a 1st place a Mallory Park after a close encounter ended up with me being taken to hospital for an overnight stay, having sustained head and leg injuries in a crash.
Towards the end of 1976, I part exchanged my Formula Ford, as well as my brother’s 250 Kart and some cash for the ex–Denny Hulme Mclaren M19, fitted with a F5000 engine. Things were getting expensive and I even took up a job delivering and selling parafin to pay for the fuel for the McLaren.
I competed in the McLaren ay libre events, but after a couple of outings I had the terrifying experience of the steering wheel coming away in my hands. I then decided the car needed a complete re–build.
Whilst the McLaren was undergoing the rebuild I kept my hand in by practising in my brother Stuart’s cars before buying a Mini 1000 to compete in. This venture also had the added advantage of gaining much publicity for my driving school, which I had just opened after qualifying as a driving instructor. At the time I was just 21 and one of the youngest DSA instructors in the country.
Three seasons in saloon car events with the Mini brought some good placings and the highlight being first place and fastest lap at Cadwell Park in the Graham Hill Mini Miglia Trophy race.
1982 saw another first place in saloons at Donington Park and some excellent results in Formula Ford 2000 together was a March 803B in Formula Libre, which resulted in a 1st place a Silverstone. 1st place at Brands Hatch in the Ladies Celebrity Race also added to the tally of trophies.
As I had borrowed Stuart’s cars to keep my hand in whilst the Maclaren was being rebuilt, it was only fair that he got to drive the beast. He and my father, Ian, had done all the work together, spending every spare hour when I wasn’t racing the Mini to get it sorted. Stuart’s last race was at Aintree Race Circuit, and he had the honour of being the last person to win the last race at the circuit before it was closed.
Karting Magazine March 1974 Edition
Morecambe & Heysham Kart Club award for the most improved driver of the year and when I gained the nick–name of the Flying Lancashire Lass
Coming out of Lodge Corner at Oulton Park in the Crossle (1976)
My brother and I were the first brother and sister to start and finish a race. It was at Castle Combe in September 1983, which Stuart won and acheived an outright lap record in his F2 Chevron. I finished 6th in my F3 car, but got all the publicity. I had bought my car from Eddie Jordan.
Me with my driving school Mini Clubman and the racing Mini I competed with whilst the McLaren was being re–built (July 1980).