| Inspiration in a school is like a spark in a | | | | |
| dry forest. It becomes a fire and it spreads. | | | | As well as being a good driver the racers |
| | | | must still be in training for the |
| ©Camilla Barker 2006 | | | | championships. Amanda currently participates |
| | | | in many sports to keep her fitness levels up |
| "When I first saw my new PE teacher I just | | | | and prepare for the tough strain racing puts |
| thought she would be another one who would | | | | on the body. Black: "I am currently |
| moan at me for forgetting my kit and tell me | | | | participating in the normal activities that I |
| off for kicking the ball too hard. What I | | | | did before the competition. This includes |
| didn't think was that she would become the | | | | hockey training and fixtures and judo. I've |
| energy and drive behind a passion of mine. My | | | | just started a weights training programme |
| passion for writing." | | | | using the school's gym and I've also started |
| | | | a swimming programme. I'm trying to keep fit |
| Amanda Black, 23, from Grantham, | | | | and also decrease my weight to make me |
| Lincolnshire, joined the Physical Education | | | | lighter in the car." |
| Department at Skegness Grammar School Sports | | | | |
| College in September 2005 and immediately | | | | "I think the way Amanda keeps going, even |
| caused the spark which would rage through the | | | | outside of the main race times provokes |
| school in a fury of enthusiasm and dedication | | | | interest and aspiration in us all. Any |
| to purpose. | | | | athlete in any sport always wants to better |
| | | | themselves - I should know this more than |
| Last year Amanda was fast-tracked into the | | | | anyone, but sometimes you can't just do it on |
| top sixteen in one of the top motor sport | | | | your own. It's great having such an influence |
| competitions for women in the UK. Formula | | | | in school because we can always go talk to |
| Woman gives women the opportunity to race in | | | | her and ask advice when we need it. She has |
| championships on top race circuits across the | | | | great sporting knowledge and a fantastic |
| country and progress through what is an | | | | attitude and that always helps in a pressured |
| extremely male-dominated sport. | | | | environment." |
| | | | |
| In November 2005 Amanda competed against | | | | Amanda has more hard work to contend with off |
| other female drivers at Pembrey, South Wales | | | | the track too. Organising press and media, |
| to achieve her place on this year's grid | | | | running a popular website, charity work and |
| without having to go through more gruelling | | | | raising sponsorship and race awareness are |
| fitness and competence tests in the final | | | | just a few things Amanda does on top of her |
| selection process. Black dominated the track | | | | day job and other teaching responsibilities. |
| and not only won her group race but also | | | | |
| achieved the fastest lap time of 1:09:754 | | | | But all the hard work and training will not |
| (75.14mph) in a V6 Caterham 7. | | | | go anywhere without the right attitude. Black |
| | | | explains: "I always put in 110% effort. I |
| "When we heard about Amanda's victory none of | | | | have dreams about winning but I keep telling |
| us were surprised. We all knew she could do | | | | myself to keep a level head. Despite all |
| it and to be honest I think everyone expected | | | | this, I still take part to win!" |
| her to either win or come really close to | | | | |
| doing so. She seems to be good at every sport | | | | "As pupils and sporting people we of course |
| she does and I think it's the amount of | | | | want to win. A teacher who encourages this as |
| effort and time she puts into becoming the | | | | well as the 'it's the taking part that |
| best that enables her to do so well." | | | | counts' bit makes us realise that |
| | | | determination will push us up to the higher |
| Formula Woman Championship races this year | | | | levels in sporting excellence and we |
| will take Amanda to Brands Hatch, Pembrey, | | | | shouldn't just settle for second best." |
| Mallory Park and Snetterton and with each | | | | |
| comes a different environment, a different | | | | "Amanda has really made an impact on the |
| atmosphere and a different circuit to master | | | | school's sports and on the sporting lives of |
| before race day. This variation in racing | | | | many of the pupils throughout the school. She |
| location will push all of the racers even | | | | provides much needed inspiration and |
| more as they do not have a lot of time to get | | | | encouragement that will push us all to our |
| used to the tracks and so natural ability | | | | limits." |
| really becomes evident. | | | | |
| | | | "Luckily I am one pupil who has benefited in |
| "Seeing my teacher participate in a national | | | | another way from Amanda's incredible sporting |
| competition made me realise that it's not too | | | | talent. As an aspiring young writer I'm |
| early for people of my age to try and pursue | | | | always looking for something exciting and |
| a professional sporting career. She started | | | | significant to write about. Amanda has given |
| racing go-karts on her fourteenth birthday | | | | me the opportunity and interest to pursue a |
| when she went to Grantham Grid indoor karting | | | | passion of mine as well as my sporting |
| and became a track marshal at Ancaster | | | | crazes. She is the spark which caused a |
| Karting after that so I don't see why we | | | | raging fire in my work and I am able to get |
| can't be as successful as she is becoming. | | | | recognised within fields which before I could |
| We've all got to start somewhere." | | | | only hope to be part of. So you see, with |
| | | | every ounce of inspiration comes a tonne of |
| Another challenge Amanda faces is in | | | | accomplishment and self confidence which |
| collecting sponsorship. In return for | | | | allows me to aim to be the best, for another |
| financial aid, sponsors receive excellent | | | | thing I've learnt is that even if I shoot for |
| advertising and promotion which includes | | | | the moon and miss, I still land in the |
| website links, company logos on the race car | | | | stars." |
| and clothing - not to mention the people who | | | | |
| will see their advertising from Amanda's | | | | This article is free for republishing |
| media appearances which so far include many | | | | |
| newspapers and magazines in prime locations, | | | | Source: |
| online representation and television | | | | |
| appearances. Without sponsorship it is not | | | | Occupation: Freelance Journalist |
| possible for the drivers to race. For | | | | |
| example, a track day and tuition with the | | | | All articles are Copyright Camilla Barker |
| Caterham 7 race car costs £325 and the | | | | 2006 |
| last track day Amanda participated in was | | | | |
| only made possible by one of her sponsors, | | | | Please visit my website for more information |
| Ancaster Karting and Paintball. | | | | about my writing and freelance commissions, |
| | | | contracts etc. |
| There will be a pre-championship race taking | | | | |
| place in Pembrey, South Wales at Easter and | | | | I am a writer of many genres and subjects and |
| Amanda needs to find £2000 in sponsorship | | | | will put my hand to anything. Examples of my |
| so she can race. Black said: "A fast driver | | | | published work are on the portfolio on my |
| with no financial backing will go nowhere. A | | | | website. |
| good driver with enough financial backing | | | | |
| will have the chance to go far and that's | | | | Thank you for reading this. |
| what really counts." | | | | |