Our Day at the Girls on Track Networking Event
- Aneeka Punde
- Aug 25
- 4 min read
Yesterday we had the privilege of attending a networking event hosted by Girls on Track in partnership with Motorsport UK running alongside the British GT series at the iconic Brands Hatch circuit. This turned out to be one of the most inspiring experiences we’ve had on our journey towards a future career in motorsport.
For anyone who doesn’t know, Girls on Track is an initiative created to encourage more women and girls to pursue roles in motorsport and other STEM-related industries. Their events bring together professionals already working in the sport with young women who are aspiring to join the industry. What we loved about their approach is that it showcased the wide range of opportunities from engineering and strategy to communications, social media, and beyond.
The day began with a catch-up with Dr. Kathryn Richards, wind tunnel test technician at Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team. She’s not only an expert in her field of aerodynamics but also a fantastic role model as a Girls on Track ambassador, showing that hard work and passion can take you far in motorsport.
One of the many highlights of the day was simply meeting so many other girls who, like us, are determined to find their way into motorsport. Amongst us attendees, there was an instant sense of camaraderie, with everyone sharing the same excitement, questions, and big dreams.
The morning continued with a brilliant panel hosted by Isi Browning, Freelance Presenter who has worked in F1, F1 Academy, and many other racing series. The speakers, Amy McCullough, Becky Tarling, Evelyn Macritchie, Erie Stephens Jones, Jane Hunter and Suzanna McNeil represented a variety of disciplines within motorsport, and it was refreshing to hear that the industry isn’t just limited to engineers and drivers. Their advice was heartfelt and practical, but the central message was clear: be bold and unapologetic in chasing your dreams. That really stuck with both of us.
After the panel, my sister, Anaya, and I had the chance to network. We both spoke with Jennifer Fletcher (the lead of Girls on Track), Charlie from Sunbathe Socials, and of course, Isi Browning herself. Each of them gave us helpful advice and tips on how to build our prospects for the future.
In the afternoon we were lucky enough to be given Paddock and Pit Lane Access to get close to the cars themselves as they prepared for the afternoon’s GT 3, GT 4, and Ginetta Junior qualifying sessions. We were especially grateful for the opportunity to go on a garage tour through the pit lane, where we visited the Century Motorsport garage. Century Motorsport is a professional motor racing team based in Fenny Compton, Warwickshire. They currently participate in the British GT championship amongst numerous other motor racing series.
Les Jones, the team manager of Century, kindly took time out of his busy GT4 qualifying preparations to talk us through the cars and share advice on working in motorsport. He introduced us to a number of his mechanics, including the lead one Paul, who gave us a detailed insight into the inner mechanisms of their GT4 car. He patiently answered all our (many!) questions and even let us both sit inside the car—a moment we’ll never forget.
To top it off, we spoke with Alex Dyer, an Alpine F1 strategist, who explained how he balances the high-pressure world of Formula 1 with helping Century on his days off. His insights into the strategic side of racing were fascinating and gave me a glimpse into the exciting, but pressurised environment in mission control.
The whole Century team was incredibly welcoming and generous with their time. Their passion for racing was infectious, and their encouragement meant so much to me.
As we continued down the pit lane, we were able to connect with mechanics and representatives from Pirelli tyres. Everyone was extremely giving with their time and journeys, sharing their stories and giving us invaluable advice from their many years of experience.
We walked away feeling not just inspired but empowered. Opportunities like this are exactly why Girls on Track is so important: they create a space where young women can step into motorsport, ask questions, make connections, and imagine themselves in roles they may never have considered before.
We are so grateful to Girls on Track for hosting the event and to everyone who took the time to speak with us. Yesterday reminded us why we want to pursue a career in this industry—and gave us the confidence to keep going after it.
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