40 years have passed since a female driver has scored any points in a Formula One race – making the rise of sisters Jade and Chloé Edwards a rare event. And, with a new sponsor on-board, the ambitious duo are set to make waves in this year’s British GT Championship.
Unique to the world of motor sport, Jade and Chloé have been creating quite a stir on the racing circuits for a number of years as part of Norfolk-based Stratton Motorsport’s Aston Martin team. After winning the final Aston Martin GT4 Challenge race of 2014 at Donington Park, this year – with new sponsor Zip Heater’s vital support – they are setting their sights on becoming the first sisters to win a motor racing championship worldwide.
“It was love at first race!” says Kelly Knight, marketing manager at Zip, “the girls are just incredible – their fearless nature and ambition fits so well with our own ethos, not to mention the speeds of up to 130 mph they drive at. Having such potential on our doorstep was too good an opportunity to miss, so we are thrilled to be sponsoring Jade and Chloé this season and can’t wait to see how they get on with the remaining races.”
The support is essential for the Aston Martin team at Stratton Motorsport as director (and Jade and Chloé’s father) James Edwards explains: “We are extremely grateful to Zip for coming on board this season – without their support, and that of our other sponsors – we just wouldn’t be able to take part in the Championship, it’s as simple as that. Chloé and Jade come from a long line of racing drivers so it’s well and truly in the blood, and they have a huge talent. We’re not aware of any other sisters racing at this level in the world, so they are pretty unique!”
Jade’s potential has already been recognised by the Aston Martin Evolution Academy and she has been hand-picked as part of a team of ten lucky young GT drivers, to train with the Aston Martin racing works team in all elements of the sport. At the end of the season, one driver will be awarded a works team contract and tailored racing programme.
“Just being part of the academy scheme is a huge privilege and testament to Jade’s abilities”, adds James, “It stands her in very good stead for a career in racing – we’re very proud of her.”
Makers of the HydroTap G4, which provides filtered chilled, boiling and sparkling water on tap, Zip prides itself on creating time-saving and energy-saving products, helping to hydrate people in an instant. In fact, every working day in the UK, over eight million cups of tea or coffee are made using Zip instant boiling water systems.
Jade and Chloé are next in action at Silverstone on the 30th and 31st May.
