Race ace Jenny gears up for the track

Jul 10 2007 By Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

LIFE is about to get much faster for beat bobby Jenny Sleath as she gears up to race the best women drivers in the country for a coveted motor sport career.

In just a few short months speed queen Jenny has gone from pottering in a Nissan Micra to tearing around the track in a race car capable of 150mph.

Now she is preparing to challenge for the honour of being named the Formula Women's Race Champion and she women can cut it in a male dominated sport.

The 23-year-old officer beat off 5,000 other hopefuls - including mum Kate - to line up as one of the 16 finalists in the competition after a gruelling two-day elimination camp that finished last Wednesday.

Digbeth-based Jenny will now line up on the grid at some of Britain's biggest race tracks, including Brands Hatch and Silverstone, the home of the British Grand Prix, over the next few months to race for the title of best female novice driver.

Jenny said her success had left those colleagues who joked about women and driving with a huge slice of humble pie to eat.

"I haven't had any of those comments for a while," she said.

"I'm really excited to have got through to the finals. I'm going to be a racing driver.

"I really gave it my all and pushed the car to the limit. I love driving so much I think my passion helped get me through."

Jenny, from Harborne, who has been a police officer for a year, admitted taking inspiration from Brit race ace Lewis Hamilton.

"The sport has been white male-dominated, but Lewis Hamilton has set a benchmark for others to follow," she said.

"He's definitely an inspiration. I think there is a space for women in motor racing."

The championship races will be on the same bill as the British Touring Cars - complete with crowds of thousands and TV cameras - and Jenny is looking for companies that want to sponsor her and see their name emblazoned on her helmet, overalls and car.

To sponsor Jenny you can email jennysleath@hotmail.com or visit www.formulawomanjennysleath.blogspot.com