A BORDERS woman has put herself forward to compete in the 2022 Formula Woman UK GT Cup championship.

Victoria Bridgewater, a classroom assistant from Kelso, has always had a love for motorsport.

And she hopes her signing up for the event will encourage other young girls to join sports which are typically male-dominated.

The 20-year-old has already completed her online assessment, and will head to Fife in November to take part in the day-long track assessments.

She said: “I always watched motorsports as a kid, and there were never any women.

“We’d just be watching the men rallying, in Formula 1 or even the bikes and there would be no women.”

When Victoria told her family that she had applied, she said her mum was “a bit hesitant”.

“My family are really excited,” she added, “they’re going to come and watch me.

“They’re really proud.”

As part of her bid to race in a McLaren GT4 at next year’s event, Victoria has also secured sponsorship from G D Auto Services of Pinnaclehill Industrial Estate, Kelso.

Victoria says that getting through the track assessments and progressing in the competition would mean “everything” to her.

“It will be amazing not just for me as it’s something I love,” Victoria told us, “but for other young girls who see motorsport as a male-dominated sport.

“One of the reasons it’s so important to me is it’s allowing young girls to see that they can do it and there are so many aspects of motorsport – there’s something for everyone.

“I’d love to go back to work and say to the young girls they can do it too.”

A series of track assessments at a number of UK sites will begin this month and will run until November.

Then in December (before Christmas) drivers will be told if they have made it through to the next round.

Applications for Formula Woman close on September 17, and Victoria wants to see more Borders women coming forward and applying.

She said: “I’ve not heard about any local applicants, the most local I’ve heard of is in Fife.

“It would be nice if others give it a go.

“There’s something for everyone, even in mechanics and race analysis.

“It would be nice to see more Borders women involved.”