Motor Racing
Reader rewarded with gold star

STRATFORD driver Sarah Reader has received recognition of her status as Britain’s top female amateur racer with the award of a Gold Star from the British Women Racing Drivers Club.

Presented to her by former World Champion John Surtees on Friday (13 January), the BWRDC Gold Star is the club’s highest honour and recognition of Sarah’s achievements in international sports car racing.

Reader, 29, collected her award at the Autosport International show at Birmingham’s NEC, where she and the other five shortlisted drivers gathered to hear the decision of the judging panel.

“I’m really thrilled to have won and very proud to be a member of the BWRDC,” said Sarah. “This sort of recognition is a huge boost for the career of any aspiring driver and I am very grateful indeed to the judges.”

Sarah’s successes in the male-dominated motorsport world include four podium finishes in the SPEED EuroSeries in 2011, along with championship fourth. She plans to return to the championship in 2012 with her TFL Racing-prepared Juno sports car.

Reader has been racing since the age of 17, when she started in the Caterham Academy. In 2003 she raced to third place overall in the Caterham Eurocup Roadsport class and was third overall in the Caterham CSR Masters in 2006.

Her BWRDC success nets Sarah a number of prizes from award sponsors, including race lubricants from Millers Oils and safety clothing from Grand Prix Racewear and Stand 21.

She will also benefit from the mentoring skills of Susie Wolff, twice a finalist in the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award.

“I am delighted to once again be a mentor and look forward to helping Sarah and watching her progress,” said Susie.

“It is a very special year for the BWRDC as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. I shall always be thankful for the support the club gave me.”