Liz Halliday will continue her tradition of mentoring up-and-coming female racing drivers in 2011 after joining the BBC’s Formula One anchor, Jake Humphrey, in presenting Cat Lund with the British Women Racing Drivers’ Club (BWRDC) GoldStar "Club" Award at the AUTOSPORT International show in Birmingham last Saturday.It is the third year in succession that the dual-sportswoman, and most successful female driver in American Le Mans Series history, has been asked to mentor the GoldStars "Club" winner after advising previous incumbents Rachel Green and Ilsa Cox in 2009 and ‘10.
Lund, who was recognised for her co-driving roles in winning both the BWRDC Rally and Flanders International Rally Challenge (FIRC) championships last season, will benefit from Halliday’s considerable experience in top-level motorsport. Liz Halliday: “While I might not be able to help when it comes to reading pace notes, I still feel that there’s plenty I can offer Cat in other areas of the sport which will help her make the jump into professional motorsport. Often it is just as important how you mentally and physically prepare yourself, as well as what you do outside the car, that helps achieve results. That self belief and preparation will be crucial if Cat is to climb through the ranks, especially in such a male dominated arena, and I will of course do my best to help her along the way.” Born in California, Halliday enjoys strong ties with the BWRDC, having spent the last decade based in the UK. “I’m delighted that the BWRDC have once again offered me the chance to oversee the progression of some of the country’s brightest female talents. It’s an honour and pleasure to be invited back alongside the likes of Jake Humphrey, Sir Stirling Moss, Anthony Reid and the many others who help to endorse all the good work that the club does for women racers.” BWRDC’s Georgie Shaw: “We are immensely proud and delighted that Liz is the BWRDC GoldStars ‘Club’ category mentor. She has many skills and qualities that we can all aspire to achieve, not least her reputation as a highly-respected and successful international racing driver.“Always the consummate professional, whether on or off the track, or in front of the cameras as a broadcaster, her natural charm and confidence belies her steely resolve. Liz Halliday is a truly great ambassador for the British Women Racing Drivers' Club and a great inspiration to us all!”2011 promises to be a busy year for Liz who intends to return to some regular racing alongside her equestrian commitments. They begin in earnest on February 19 at the British Dressage Regional Championships ahead of a first British Eventing outing of the season at Tweseldown on March 10-13.
