FUN CUP SPONSORS ALL GIRL LINE-UP
In the last few seasons there have been a number of new faces brought to the Fun Cup by sponsors GT Radial.
Freddie Hunt, Jimmy Broadbent and Isle of Man TT Legend John McGuinness to name three.
But for last weekends race at Snetterton it was decided to have an all-girl team. Both Michelle Hayward and Zoe Burke have already tasted success in the past with Fun Cup, Michelle with Kinetic Motorsport sharing with Chris Webster and Stuart Hall and Zoe at Apollo Motorsport with brother Guy Wenham.
Michelle has also been a frontrunner in Clubmans Racing and Zoe in British GT4.
Making up the trio was Wendy Ellis-Smith, new to racing cars this year but an experienced sportswoman with motorcycles and equestrian and certainly not lacking in enthusiasm.
It was a combination of shock and surprise when they were drawn in pole position for the four-hour race, “I couldn’t believe it. Excited but just hope I can stay clear even for just one lap,” said Michelle.
She succeeded in her quest but gradually slipped down the order. “I dropped to back of the lead group and intended sticking with them. But after a couple of mistakes I lost the tow,” she explained.
She handed to Wendy after about 20 laps, who then completed the first hour in 11th. “It was a new experience for me, pressing myself to be quicker but not overdrive,” she said.
Zoe then took the third stint, “after a couple of laps or so I felt right back into it,” she added as they were still 11th at the two hour halfway point.
As other crews had their problems a top 10 finish was looking more than a possibility. “I had a couple of small spins but nothing major and the car was great,” said Wendy.
So into the final stint Zoe had about 30 secs in hand to retain ninth place over Sam Smeeth, which she did without a problem and the aim of a top 10 finish was comfortably achieved.
Published by Peter Scherer for Fun Cup Endurance, July 25th 2022
