Tuesday 3 December 2013

Amazing first weekend in the SigMax

Travelling out to Estoril in Portugal to race in the KIA 300Km Caterham 7 event with Ian Anderson.


My first run out in the SigMax/Supersport Caterham and we finished 2nd to Mike Hart and Terry Langley. Amazing. I matched Ian Anderson's pace who finished 2nd in the Caterham Graduates Sigmax Championship in 2013.



 Watch out SigMax drivers in 2014. Amanda Black is about!!

Monday 14 October 2013

BARC Magazine Coverage

Amazing coverage in this months BARC magazine. Very chuffed.

ContentsArticle

And it reads something like this:

‘A day in the life of’

By: Amanda Black

Amanda Black is a newly appointed assistant head teacher at Skegness Grammar School, here she tells all about juggling teaching and motor racing.

There is one thing I feel adamant about in teaching and that is being a role model to pupils. You have to be someone for students to look up to and aspire to, to help increase motivation and create a desire to learn. I go to work to make a difference and to help pupils reach their true potential. I believe this can only occur if you are doing it yourself, striving to be the best that you can be.

I suppose my motor racing journey is an excellent example of having a dream and doing anything about it to achieve it and make it reality. I also have the added bonus of doing it in a male dominated environment which I believe is incredibly important for young girls to realise that anything is possible. At the age of 14 I had a dream of going motor racing and becoming a Championship winner. The motor racing dream only became a reality 9 years later when I entered Formula Women. It was an amazing experience. My first ever circuit racing experience at Pembrey I gained pole, fastest lap and a race win. Unfortunately the prize of winning a seasons racing did not come through and I was back to square one, truly believing that I had raw talent but would never go racing again.

At the age of 27 I thought it was now or never. The financial implications of being a teacher that is a self funded racing driver can be very challenging at times but the bug bites you and you just want more and more. All other life luxuries go out of the window and I just wanted to go motor racing again. I bought a Classic Caterham and signed up for the BARC Caterham Graduates Racing Series 2011. Not knowing anything about cars, how to service them, how to set them up or even how to race prep them I took the gamble. I knew it was going to be a steep learning curve. At this point I didn’t even have a tow vehicle to get the Caterham to the racing circuit, in fact I didn’t even have a towing licence! My mother and I effectively did everything ourselves and just about got bye in the first year (And loads of phone calls to male friends and McMillan Motorsport for help later!) My first race was at Silverstone and I achieved the fastest lap out of a grid of 20. 18 of them being male made me think that my Formula Woman success was not because of a lack of competition but because I did actually have natural talent! I got pole by race 5 and had an amazing first season. In 2012 I narrowly missed out on a 3rd place championship finish but did manage to achieve 5 wins and various fastest laps and lap records. The season was fully of highs and lows. Driving into the pit wall at Anglesey in the wet was the lowest of low and racing two cars in 1 race weekend at Cadwell was a major high. I was delighted to be announced the 2012 British Womens Racing Drivers Champion, an accolade I was not expecting but one that I value immensely.

Having such a massive passion for motorsport I was delighted to learn about the BARC British Schools Karting Championship and last year we entered for the first time. Skegness Grammar School held karting trials to gain a place in the team. The 3:30 bell would ring and I was ready in the school mini bus to drive to our local circuit. The pupils were buzzing and enjoyed every minute. As a teacher I believe it is enrichment activities like this that make school fun. If children are having fun and enjoying themselves they are more likely to engage in education and learn. A wide range of skills are developed in these types of activities that develop the whole child. Pupils also loved the fact that ‘Miss’ was out karting with them and going faster! A female teacher going fast, they really did think this was amazing and cool! I do hope that I have changed their views regarding female drivers! The school A team managed to qualify for the regional finals and did very well for a first attempt.

This year the interest in karting exploded to the point I had to ring up Mark Turner at BARC and beg for more entry slots. The next problem was they didn’t all fit in the school mini bus! 5 teams entered the initial rounds and pupils came from a wide range of backgrounds. Pupils with no karting experience to regular racers, boarders and day pupils, 13 year olds to 18 years old which created a great social aspect with pupils integrating outside of their peer group and socialising with others that they normally would not get the opportunity to mix with. I had sporty to non sporty pupils. The non sporty pupils had never accessed our extracurricular sports club programme before and were now getting their first taste of competition and representing their school in a sport. I was also utterly chuffed to be entering my first girl karter! My ambition next year is to enter a girls only team.

I was gutted to learn that the SGS A team qualified for the National Finals and I was not going to be able to support them as it clashed with my own BARC Caterham Graduates round at Castle Combe. Qualifying for the final was an amazing achievement for the team, in only our second year of entering the BSKC. They did very well but were over powered by more experienced drivers. The distance to the circuit also made it difficult to practice before the event. I wish I could claim all the credit for them reaching the final from my excellent coaching but life is about opportunities and I gave them that.

I have thoroughly enjoy arranging and organising the karting opportunities at Skegness Grammar School however it does end up being quite a timely commitment. Trip forms, letters, risk assessments and collecting money are all admin tasks that always take longer than you think! Our local BSKC circuit is a 3 hour round trip from Skegness. Adding the karting time and of course a naughty dinner stop at McDonalds, we would get back at 10 o’clock on a school night. However it is worth every minute. Many have grown in confidence and have greater self-belief in themselves. I have also developed a respectful working relationship with some challenging pupils that have not always met our high expectations in the school environment. Through my experience of the BSKC the pupils grow and shine. To see them get so enthusiastic about something and see a sparkle in their eye is a very special moment.

The 2013 season for myself saw a change of class to the Caterham Graduates Sigma Championship and a reduction in Friday testing due to work commitments. I have still managed to win 8 out of the first 10 races. My life time ambition of becoming a motor racing championship winner is amazingly realistic and achievable. It has not been an easy journey but one of learning and how we are learning all the time. This is a valuable lesson for all for, especially young people, that we never stop learning and we must challenge ourselves.

In September I start my new role as Assistant Head teacher. As part of this I am in charge of Behaviour and Rewards. I will be using the BSKC and my own motor racing experiences as a tool to help embed a success culture and raise aspirations to achieve. If there is something you want to do in life you have to strive for it. It may not be easy. You might not get there straight away but where there is a will there is a way.

Thursday 27 June 2013

Skegness Grammar School House Bands Competitions

How many famous people can I get to wear one of the House Bands from SGS? How many can you name?

If you can help, please email me amanda.black@hotmail.co.uk

13-06-26 Damon Hill13-06-26 Heston Blumenthal13-06-26 Josh Hill13-06-26 Sam BirdAlex Danson - LMark Lewis Francis - M

Saturday 22 June 2013

2013 to date

Sorry for not writing soon. I’ve had such great results and should have been shouting about them. I must from now on!

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This year to date has been amazing and I’m loving every minute. Preparations for the new season started late but went very well. Over the winter I had sold my beloved Orange Caterham Classic (Called Tigger) and had upgraded to a 1.6 Black Sigma Caterham, now christened Roo! With the roll cage painted bright orange I was ready to go! With limited in season testing this year I was keen to learn the car quickly and get to grips with new tyres. The Caterham Graduates first round was at Pembrey and a nice long trek to increase the anticipation. 2 laps into qualifying I managed to knock a relay out of the electrics and the car stopped dead. Luckily I managed to qualify for the race but was to start at the back of the grid for both races. To come away from Pembrey with a double win was amazing and what a way to start the season.

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Silverstone was an amazing opportunity to race on the F1 circuit but with no testing prior to qualifying I had my concerns. We had 3 classes sharing the grid, the Supers the fastest with my Sigma 2nd and Classics 3rd. I managed to qualify right in the middle of the faster Super class, 10th. Out qualifying 12 faster cars and with my nearest Sigma competitor starting in 21st! For the rest of the weekend I didn’t see any of my Sigma competitors. I was playing with the big boys in an inferior car. Silverstone was a double win and lap record weekend. 4 out of 4!

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The second May bank holiday weekend saw me trying the impossible. Is it possible to go to Monaco to watch the F1 on Sunday afternoon and sign on to race a double header at Oulton Park on Bank Holiday Monday at 7:00am. Yes it is! Monaco was amazing. If you can only go to one GP in your lifetime it has to be Monaco. Amazing! To then return back to England and go racing myself was phenomenal. IMG_3955I won race 1 in the dry with a comfortable 25 second lead, claiming fastest lap and a new lap record. Making it 5 race wins out of 5. Wow! Unfortunately the heavens opened. I played it save to get championship points and finished 2nd in race 2. What a weekend and what a start to the year!

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My school karting team had successfully qualified for the British Schools National Final. However I was gutted that it clashed with my own racing, I was at Castle Combe. It was only the second year that I and the school had entered a team. Unfortunately no female racers in the qualifying team. But I did have one girl start the competition and I hope that she will continue next year. Castle Combe race weekend was interesting for me. I woke up Saturday feeling very under the weather. Sore throat, cold and sever fatigue (Probably because I’ve been trying to cram too much in!).

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To achieve a double pole and a race win in race 1 and in a wet second race achieve 4th place. I was very happy with. I was also leaving Castle Combe with a car in 1 piece (Several Caterhams badly damaged over the weekend!) and an increased championship lead, with half the season completed already! With Brands, Donington, Cadwell and Spa left. Rock on the rest of it.

Monday 1 April 2013

Easter Weekend 2013

Easter Weekend and 3 circuits!
A track day on Friday at Donington Park to sweep the cobwebs of the car (Roo). The Caterham Graduates exclusive track/test day at Silverstone on Saturday. Today I have been to Mallory to see fellow female racing driver Sian Stafford compete in the first rounds of the Locost series.

Donington was an interesting experience. Never thought I would be on track with snow at the sides. Love Donington its a great circuit, it was a good opportunity to sort little things out like my seat and belts and also to scrub in some new tyres. I was not 100% confident in the car – I was actually thinking ‘How in the hell did I drive this so fast at Cadwell and achieve a lap record!’.

It wasn’t until I arrived at Silverstone that I thought I was on the pace and 100% confortable with the car. The car is looking and running very well. The fluro Orange roll cage looks amazing. Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of it, which was a bit silly – you’ll have to wait until Pembrey! I also picked up my new helmet design, which I’ll post some photo’s of in a bit.

Password: Caterham   How novel!

Very much now looking forward to Pembrey. Can’t wait. Watch out Sigma Grad’s!

Pembrey

Thursday 28 March 2013

Pembrey Countdown

Pembrey Timetable

7 days until the 2013 Championship journey begins. Long term forecast is looking ok but still cold.

Cant wait for Donington Park track day tomorrow, unbelievable to think I haven’t driven a car in anger since the Birkett in October. Hope I’m not too rusty!

Monday 25 March 2013

What will lie ahead?

With last weekends Grad pre-season track day postponed due to Snow I am now looking ahead to Friday’s track day at Donington Park. The exciting piece of news is that the Silverstone postponement has been moved to Saturday. So 2 tracks in 2 days. Cant wait. Already looking at the weather forecast! Lets just hope it warms up a bit. What a great way to spend the first part of the Easter weekend. Some serious time in the car. Smile

FriSat

The weekend after we are off to Pembrey for Rounds 1 & 2. Which will mean 6 days on track out of 11. How cool! Cant wait. Rock on Season 2013.

Friday 22 March 2013

Silverstone Postponed

The Silverstone track/test day tomorrow has been cancelled due to the potential snow forecast. I can’t believe that in late March it can be so cold. Just as you thought it might get warmer!

Weather forecast this time last year!image002 
Weather forecast today!

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Pembrey is now only 2 weeks away. I haven’t been in the car since October and the Birkett. Pembrey is pretty miserable at the best of times! Could the grads club get a bit of luck? Wellies at the ready!

Thursday 21 March 2013

Wednesday 20 March 2013

2013 season is so close :-)

Pre-season test/track-day - Sat 23 March Silverstone International

Rounds 1 & 2 - 6 / 7 AprilPembrey 
Rounds 3 & 4 - 27 / 28 April - Silverstone GP
Rounds 5 & 6 - 27 May - Oulton Park
Rounds 7 & 8 - 15 / 16 June - Castle Combe
Rounds 9 & 10 - 29 / 30 June - Brands Hatch, Indy
Rounds 11 & 12 - 17 / 18 August - Donington Park 
Rounds 13 & 14 - 7 / 8 September - Cadwell Park  
Rounds 15 & 16 - / 28 / 29 September - -Francorchamps

Sunday 17 March 2013

1st test day of the 2013 season


Can't wait for my first outing for 2013. Caterham Graduate track/test day at Silverstone Saturday 23rd March. At least this time I'll be travelling a bit faster than my half marathon speed! Which I completed in 2 hrs 26 minutes. Very chuffed with a time below 2hr 30. Anyway time to keep an eye on the weather forecast. Not looking that good, but as the first race is at Pembrey I might as well get use to it!

Weather forecast for Silverstone Circuit | Motorsport | United Kingdom

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.

Thursday 10 January 2013

BWRDC ELITE GOLDSTARS Nomination

To be announced at the Autosport International show, NEC on Friday 11th Jan 2013.

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Please find the official press release here.