Team CRS and driver Caroline first in class at Silverstone

Sunday 2^nd November saw 29 intrepid Lady racers head to Silverstone , the Home of Motorsport, to take part in ‘Race for a Record’ where the BWRDC (British Women’s Racing Drivers Club) aimed to have the largest number of female competitors on track in one race. It was a handicapped race so no matter how powerful the car was anyone could win.
The ladies were first out on track and it was a grey and wet morning that greeted them. Qualifying complete and Caroline was 23^rd out the 29 cars on lap pace. The handicapper had to quickly work out the race start positions and handicap. Initially they missed Caroline off the grip…opps!! With her quickly added on she was in drop 3 which had a 20 second delayed start but with a 2 lap head start, the Lamborghini had a minus 4 lap start plus 50 seconds so Caroline was effectively starting 6 laps ahead of it!!
There were 4 cars in Caroline’s drop and she soon managed to pass 2 of them, the Ford  Puma being too fast for her. She settled down into a rhythm and put in steady laps for the tricky and changing conditions. Caroline overtook some of the slower cars and was herself overtaken by some of the faster cars. The conditions were that bad that the amount of spray being thrown up made it difficult at times to even see where the track went and unknown to Caroline she was actually leading the race!!
The race went to the full 20 laps which was nearly 30 minutes race time and Caroline was beginning to worry about running out of fuel due to the small tank the mini runs. Thankfully she came round Woodcote for the final time to see the checked flag. As they pulled into the pit lane after the cool down lap the marshal’s signalled Caroline over at the top of the lane, she thought it was a mistake and they wanted the car behind but it turned out she’d finished in third place J
The group of ladies managed to break the British record despite the horrendous weather conditions. Team CRS driver Caroline Gilbert, in her Super Mighty Mini managed to take third place overall, and first in class, only being beaten by a Clio and an Alfa having lead until lap 18 of 20 in the race.
 It was an interesting array of machinery from historic cars to modern saloons and even a supercar that took part showing the diversity of racing the ladies competed in. The BWRDC are aiming to break their own record again next year, here’s hoping the classic Mini can triumph again over the faster cars and take another podium finish