Celebrating International Women's Day 2024

Friday 8th March marks International Women’s Day. This is a day where we celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

Megan Keech

8 Mar 2024

The theme of this year’s campaign is ‘Inspire Inclusion’. It's two-fold purpose is to help forge a more inclusive world by inspiring others to understand and value the contribution of women, while inspiring women themselves to want to be included.

Female interest and participation in motorsport has doubled in the last four years and at Radical Motorsport we are fortunate enough to have three inspiring women delivering and running three of Radical’s biggest championships – Radical Cup UK, Radical Cup Australia, and Radical Cup North America.

Nicole Van Der Walt – Motorsport Manager (UK & ROW) – Radical Cup UK

Nicole has worked in a variety of different roles during her time at Radical Motorsport. She joined the company in 2021 as a Digital and Social Media Marketing Specialist, was promoted to Championship Coordinator and is now Motorsport Manager (UK and ROW) where her main role is to oversee everything to do with the Radical Cup UK Championship. You could describe Nicole’s job as doing everything except making the cars go faster! Based at Radical Motorsport’s HQ at Donington Park Circuit no two-days are the same, the year starts with arranging the seasons calendar and events, negotiating costings, organising race formats and garaging requirements, and coordinating hospitality. Nicole also works closely with the marketing department to source and deal with sponsors, promote the championship through the Radical Motorsport website and social media, and create new and exciting opportunities for the teams and drivers.

“As Motorsport Manager and being a part of Radical for three years, there is no better place to showcase our incredible race cars, visit iconic circuits around the world and inspire women to thrive in a world where passion knows no gender. In a very stereotypical male-dominated field, it's important for women to be recognised and have a voice. And also show the next generation of young women and girls that anything they want to do in motorsports is achievable; it is literally the definition of ‘see it, be it’. My advice for women wanting to make a start in motorsport is just to get involved in any way you can – get stuck in and do not be afraid to ask questions. I think if you put your mind to it, you really can do anything.”

Nicole Van Der Walt - Motorsport Manager (UK & ROW) - Radical Cup UK

Charise Bristow – Category Manager - Radical Cup Australia

Charise is in charge of a very small team at Radical Cup Australia, so her role is really all encompassing. From initial consultations with promoters to set the championships yearly calendar to being hands on at every race event, Charise is there to offer support and guidance to not only her team but also to the championship’s teams and drivers. Before a Radical race car even takes to the track, she is busy collecting driver and team information and required entry paperwork, liaising with the promoter regarding event particulars, putting together team schedules, notes and arranging the garage and pit lane allocations. Once the green light is out on a race weekend, Charise's most important job role is being a face for the competitors, while also working closely with the Race Director, technical delegates, and officials to make sure everything goes smoothly.

“Motorsport is honestly a wonderful environment, and it becomes an extended family. I guess the best advice I could give women wanting to be involved is, if you put your mind to it, are willing to work hard and hone your craft, the respect will come with it – there is absolutely no reason you cannot be successful. I am lucky in that I have never thought or been made to feel that being a woman in this industry is a disadvantage – I have always been treated as an equal in the paddock and have found that those around me are supportive of the ‘right person for the job’ mentality, regardless of gender. Take all the opportunities you can, ask the questions, get your face, and name out there and start making the connections – the journey isn’t as intimating when it is supported.”

Charise Bristow - Category Manager - Radical Cup Australia

Philippa Tuckey – Motorsport Manager USA – Radical Cup North America

Philippa is in charge of Radical Motorsport’s biggest championship – Radical Cup North America. Starting her career at 19 Philippa is now going into her 11th season working in the sport. Her main duties include overseeing the flow, overall planning and the function of Radical Cup North America and it’s participants. Philippa has made sure that the championship caters to drivers from novices to veterans, karters making their next step in their career, as well as country club and regional racers looking to step up to true national competition, with the series having a growing list of impressive alumni including a Le Mans winner. Just like Nicole and Charise, everyday is different for Philippa, with early mornings, long days and late nights it’s the passion that drives her forward. The dedication to her job has created a positive atmosphere, which has helped support the teams and drivers and bring their racing to some of the most competitive paddocks in the world.

“I started my career in motorsport at the age of 19 and I am now going into my 11th season, it’s incredible to see the evolution of career opportunities and the number of women involved in the industry a little over a decade later. I’ve been lucky enough to find myself operating teams in some of the most competitive paddocks in the world like IndyCar, IMSA, and ELMS and getting to share rooms with the likes of Motorsport legends Roger Penske. Getting into those rooms wasn’t always easy but when I found my way there, I was treated as a valuable team member, just as anyone else was. I’m thankful for the people that I’ve worked with that trusting me to do the jobs that I have at a relatively young age because it’s brought me to where I am today, running the Motorsport sector of one of the largest race car manufacturer's and racing series in the world. While I will always celebrate being a woman and pushing boundaries in this industry, I’m excited for the day that the question ‘What is it like to me a woman in Motorsports’ starts to become less asked and it become normal and consistent to have women involved: that having female engineers, strategists, team owners and series officials is the new norm. That’s when I’ll know we’ve broken down the door and have proven that we’re here to stay to improve the sport and industry as a whole.”

Philippa Tuckey - Motorsport Manager USA - Radical Cup North America

Women’s contribution to motorsport has come along way in recent years and we should be inspiring the next generation of female mechanics, engineers, reporters, Team Principals, and like Nicole, Charise and Philippa, females can be in charge of successful championships all around the world. The biggest advice any women could ever give to another is “you can’t be what you can’t see”, women need to see women modelling behaviours, opening doors, and reaching their hands out behind them to pull others along. We are proud to have women at the forefront of Radical Motorsport!

For more information on International Women’s Day please visit: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/