A teenage girl with a burning ambition to become a big name in motorsport has appealed for sponsors.
Sixteen-year-old Maria Goode, a former pupil at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School, has been following the exploits of her brother, Jamie, (20), on the track since she could reach the controls of a car.
Now, only a year after she got her first taste behind the wheel in saloon racing at Oulton Park, she aims to compete in October in the Fiesta Junior Championship, one of the sport’s top events for young drivers (ITALICS writes John Williams).
But apart from preparing for the big event at weekends, Maria needs to secure sponsors’ support to raise the £4,500 she needs to continue in her brother’s footsteps as a member of the village’s lead racing family.
Maria, who like her brother is a student studying for her GCSEs at Crewe Engineering and Design UTC, has also been encouraged by her dad, Peter, a local heating engineer and plumber, her mum, Nicola, as well as Jamie.
She said that motorsport had taught her “discipline, determination and the importance of giving 100% effort”.
“Racing is more than just a hobby to me, it’s something I’ve dedicated myself to and something I’m willing to work incredibly hard for to succeed,” she said.
In a bid for sponsors, Maria has written of her hopes and dreams of achieving her ambition to build a future in motorsport.
She said: “Whether I’m in the classroom or preparing for race weekends, I’m constantly working to improve myself and take steps closer toward achieving my ambition of building a future in motorsport.
“Motorsport has always been a huge part of my life growing up, especially through my family. I’m proud to be following in my brother’s footsteps after watching his own journey in racing from a young age.
“Spending weekends at circuits, seeing the atmosphere of race days, and watching the amount of effort and passion he put into the sport inspired me massively.
“Seeing what motorsport brought to him, the experiences, the friendships, the opportunities and the excitement, made me realise from an early age that this was something I wanted to pursue myself.”
She said that competing in the Fiesta Junior Championship was “a massive opportunity” to gain experience and continue developing as a young driver.
“Every race weekend teaches me something new, whether that’s improving my racecraft, learning how to perform under pressure or understanding the technical side of the car,” she said.
She races at Oulton Park on 17th October.
Her long-term ambition is to continue progressing through the motorsport ladder, competing at higher levels, and eventually building a professional career within the racing industry.
“I know the journey ahead is challenging, but I’m fully committed to putting in the work required to achieve my goals,” she said.
The £4,500 will cover the costs needed to continue racing this season, including race entry fees, tyres, fuel, testing, travel, car preparation, maintenance and team support throughout the championship.
She said: “Motorsport is an extremely competitive and expensive sport, and without sponsorship and support it can be very difficult for young drivers to continue progressing. Every contribution, no matter the size, genuinely makes a difference and helps keep me on the grid, competing and developing my skills.”
In return for sponsorship, she offers businesses and supporters exposure throughout the season. This includes sponsor logos displayed on her race car, race suit, paddock equipment and across her social media platforms.
Sponsors also receive exposure through race weekend photography, interviews and motorsport-related media coverage. Sponsors can contact Maria on 07706 396 668.
