Dec 2008 Monthly Feature

This month we feature Junior motorsport star Cassey Watson the teenage driver who is quickly making a name for herself by breaking or setting numerous motorsport records. In 7 years of karting and car racing she has stood on the podium in every vehicle she has ever driven, became the first female on the podium in SAXMAX and also Junior Ginetta. She is the only driver to stand on the podium in all 3 Junior car classes, SAXMAX, Ginetta and TCar. Also when she competed in every race at the Junior festival in 2006 completing over 320 laps at racing speed she broke the record for most races in 24 hours. at only just 17 she has already become one of this country's top drivers in one of the most male dominated sport industries in the world.

Ginetta

Cassey Watson has always been recognizable in both SAXMAX and Ginetta Junior for her cars purple paint jobs and pink tiger graphics.

In 2008 KC started with the Ginetta Junior championship as it has become a BTCC support race. KC had shown some blistering pace and earned herself more loyal fans. However after becoming the first driver to be allowed by the MSA to move from Junior licence status direct to International, Kc withdrew from the Junior Championship in order to accept the upgrade and become an ARDS Instructor.

Kc also accepted an opportunity to make her Senior debut in a Ginetta G20 where despite having never driven the car before qualifying she finished both races on the podium, keeping her incredible podium record going.

Kc is now preparing for 2009 where she will make her single seater debut in the Formula Palmer Audi Championship.

My first two years in car racing have been purely about learning as much as possible, racing Front & Rear wheel drive, and as many different cars as possible. However in 2008 I am concentrating purely on one championship. I will be racing for Tockwith Motorsport in a Junior Ginetta on the BTCC package. Huge crowds, live on TV, and in a professionally prepared car, I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Cassey is extremely dedicated in the pursuit of her dream and superb at self motivation. Leaving school at 13 to become home tutored she took and passed her Maths and English GCSEs at 14 years old. After winning the scholarship she was not allowed by law to attend college to study for her BTEC due to being of school age, however is earning distinctions for her work.

Cassey works extremely hard on her fitness at the local gym.
In 2007 Cassey became managing Director of her own company, Kc Watson Motorsport Ltd, and raises most of her own race budget!

At what age did you first find the love for motorsport and why!

When Nigel Mansell left F1 to go and race in the U.S. the races were on Sky, my Grandfather used to come round to our house to watch every race as he didn't have Sky. I was only about 3 years old but used to sit glued to every race. He then bought me my first car for my 4th B'Day a battery powered Jeep. I used to put on a crash helmet and drive up and down the drive.

What was you first ever race!

My first race was in a comer cadet at Shennington in February 2002, my Dad wasn't into Motorsport had never mechanized on anything so we had no idea, we just thought we turn up and race. We had no engine tuning or set up etc. I was lapped twice in the final. We got the engine tuned for my second race and got lapped once. However for my third I had the seat in the right place and the wheels pointing the right way lol. Won the novice trophy and didn't get lapped.

What are you future ambitions regarding motorsport!

My dream since I can remember is to race in Indycar, and personally that is still what I am working towards.

Has motorsport also been hit with the current credit crunch! How hard
is it to fund a full season!

Motorsport is hugely expensive so it's always tough to fund a season. We have no personal money so without business partners I don't race. However this motivates me to make sure I am offering any company a fantastic opportunity to reach their marketing goals, I am well aware that I have to deliver a great return on any investment. I'm a positive person so my attitude is that the credit crunch gives a company that would have said no anyway an easy excuse so I get the no earlier which means I can move on quicker. A company that understands the fabulous marketing opportunities available to them from motorsport will still look to become a partner.

What car do you own (Public Roads)!

My road car is a Rover Coupe Tomcat and I love him!

Do you have a racing driver hero!

That's easy my racing hero is Dale Earnhardt, I was a fan from a really young age. I was at Daytona for the Bud Shootout the week before he was killed, I have my race ticket signed by him and Dale Jr my prize possession. I also admire Dale Jr, Kyle Busch, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Danica Patrick.

Do you think that women in motorsport are sometimes stereo typed
because of there sex!

As a woman you have to be competitive all the time. If ever you run anywhere near the back that's when the stereotyping starts and I don't think you'd ever escape from it once it's there. Personally I've never had any problem with it but then again I don't really think of myself as a woman driver in my mind I'm purely a racing driver.

We often see female drivers in glamour shots…do you think this correct
or sexist or do you think that using your sex is sometime an advantage
for promotions!

As a woman I am naturally used to promote different items than a man would, and of course that is an advantage. However everybody wants to look good in a picture, how many men are quick to rip off their shirt and flex their muscles to show their "guns". They are not accused of using their sex but that get's their picture printed. However here I am referring to glamorous shots not glamour shots, I haven't seen any female drivers doing glamour modelling.

Do you think that we ever see a women win the Le Mans 24 Hour Race!

No reason why not, I think Liz Halliday finished 4th a couple years ago. That is certainly an event I want to do in the future.

Should women be racing in F1?

Only if she's there on merit!

If you could give any advise to other females wanting to race what would it be!

All I can say is I am at my happiest behind the wheel of a racing car. There is nothing better. Even when things go wrong there's nowhere I'd rather be, so if you have the desire to race go for it you will love it!

porschesport