Two academics from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) joined leading figures from across the motorsport industry at a special event celebrating the 10th anniversary of Girls on Track UK.
Senior lecturers Dr Kerry Tudor and Abigail Penny attended the celebration at the Royal Automobile Club on Pall Mall, in London. The milestone event recognised a decade of progress in inspiring girls and young women to explore opportunities across the motorsport industry.
Girls on Track UK is an initiative led by Motorsport UK that encourages and supports young women pursuing careers in motorsport.
The day brought together a range of prominent voices from the sector, including former Williams Formula One Team deputy team principal Claire Williams. During the event, Claire shared insights from her career journey, reflecting on her early role as a race circuit press officer through to her leadership position in Formula 1.
As part of the programme, Dr Tudor and Abigail Penny represented UWTSD and the motorsport engineering sector during a Q&A session with Girls on Track young members. They provided advice, guidance, and encouragement to aspiring engineers and industry professionals interested in building careers within motorsport.
Their participation highlights UWTSD’s ongoing commitment to supporting diversity and widening participation within engineering and the automotive sector.
Abigail Penny also took part in a female-fronted panel discussion at an event titled “Pathways to Motorsport: Breaking In and Staying in the Automotive Industry”, held in Swansea on March 6 as part of celebrations marking International Women’s Day. The event brought together women working across motorsport and automotive disciplines to share their experiences, challenges, and advice with those considering entering the industry.
Abigail said the opportunity to engage with both established professionals and the next generation of engineers is vital for building a more inclusive future for motorsport.
“Events like these are incredibly important. They allow young people to see the wide range of roles available in motorsport and to hear directly from women who are working in the industry. It helps demonstrate that there are many different pathways into the sector.”
Dr Tudor added that the anniversary celebration highlighted how initiatives such as Girls on Track UK continue to make a meaningful difference by connecting aspiring talent with industry professionals and educational pathways.
“UWTSD’s involvement in both events reflects the University’s commitment to supporting the next generation of engineers and promoting greater representation of women in motorsport and the wider automotive industry,” she added.
