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