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Aussie Wood making an impact on and off the track

Wood

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: April 12, 2024

Australian international racer Caitlin Wood will be making a mark on and off the track in the 2024 Porsche Sprint Challenge GB season.

Whilst the Australian version begins at Phillip Island this weekend, Maitland’s Wood will be representing the country in the UK.

The 27-year-old will be the only woman to compete in the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB and will stand out racing a bright Barbie backed entry.

In addition to her on-track commitments,  Wood – a Barbie Sports Ambassador – will invite 10 girls to each of her race weekends this season, and will visit schools, colleges, or universities every month to promote careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

Wood started in NSW Formula Ford a decade ago and has gone on to make 10 starts in the W Series across 2019 and 2021 with a best result of fifth.

Prior to that, she has raced in the GT4 European and Blancpain GT Series, and in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe, while she has recently been in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie.

“I am delighted to be supported by Diagonal Comms and I know they can help me maximise the amazing opportunity I have this season racing in the Porsche Sprint Championship GB,” she said.

“Having a pink Barbie race car is the fulfilment of a childhood dream for me – seven-year-old Caitlin would be so proud, and I am so excited to be a Barbie Sports Ambassador.

“Throughout my career, I have always strived to prove that girls can study science and engineering, and go on to have careers in motorsport, both in and out of the car. 

“This season is another incredible chance for me to do that, “I can’t wait to get the Porsche Sprint Championship GB season started alongside the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), and to use that great platform to inspire young girls and shatter stereotypes. Girls, you can be anything you want to be!”

Diagonal Comms Managing Director Matt Bishop said he has seen Wood excel behind the wheel over the years.

“I first met Caitlin Wood in 2019 when I was W Series’ communications director and in order to qualify for her W Series race drive, Caitlin had to pass two challenging assessments,” he said.

“First, her driving technique and mental attitude were evaluated and appraised by 13-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner David Coulthard, double Le Mans 24 Hours winner Alex Wurz, and Lyn St James, who had raced in seven Indianapolis 500s, becoming the first woman to win the Indianapolis 500 rookie of the year award in 1992.

“As part of that multi-faceted examination, Caitlin was required to show her mettle in Ford and Porsche road cars at the Wachauring, Melk, Austria, against the clock. 

“Having passed that test with flying colours, she then performed a full day’s testing in the W Series Tatuus Formula 3 car in Almeria, Spain, alongside the other drivers who had passed the Wachauring trial, under the critical eye of Dave Ryan, the ex-McLaren sporting director who had worked with some of the all-time greats of our sport, such as James Hunt, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen, Lewis Hamilton etc and again, Caitlin excelled.

“In that first W Series season in 2019, Caitlin raced in and finished all six rounds, the highlights being strong points finishes at Hockenheim and Assen.

“We at Diagonal Comms are now delighted to be working with her as she embarks on the next stage of her motorsport career, racing the Barbie-sponsored Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport in the Porsche Sprint Championship GB.”

The Porsche Sprint Challenge GB season begins at Snetterton on May 25-26.

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