Two young women will have the opportunity of a lifetime this weekend when they have the chance to be grid girls for the day at Thruxton, thanks to BSB outfit Motorpoint Yamaha.
Melissa Bond, an aspiring young rider from Worcestershire, has been racing bikes since the age of 16 and is saving up to enter into competitive racing herself but until that moment she wants to be as close to the action as possible.
The 23-year-old entered the competition through the Facebook page of the team's title sponsor and recalled a track day with a former World Superbike Champion as her inspiration.
Melissa Bond has been racing bikes since aged 16
“I love bike racing and one day I hope to emulate my heroes such as James Toseland. What he can do on a bike is amazing. I once rode pillion with him around the Cadwell Park track after I had spent the day track racing with him – It was one of the best experiences of my life. I have only been a grid girl once before a number of years ago. I loved the chance to be closer to the action and be a part of the thrilling atmosphere that Superbike racing generates. I couldn't believe that I was given the chance to do this it was so out of the blue.”
Former Army long-distance runner Rachael Patterson, from Bristol, will also have the opportunity to spend the weekend with the team after she was also successful in the competition.
The 22-year-old used to race against Navy and RAF runners during her time in the Army for the King's Troops Artillery but was forced to stop due to an injury. Her injury may have stopped her running competitively, but that has not stopped her taking leaps and bounds towards other dreams. Rachael now works for the RAC and does some promotional work in her home town of Bristol while she gains her class two license to drive a tipper truck.
Patterson has been a lifelong motorsport fan and is looking forward to fulfilling her ambition this weekend.
“I had to leave the army as I didn't want to aggravate my shin splints that were causing me pain. The fitness levels that the army demands are not achievable with that kind of injury so I left and ended up working for the RAC. I have been there four years now running around various jobs in the office and I do some promotional work in Bristol on weekends. I love going to Motorsport events and always wondered how I could get into being a grid girl – so I googled it and found Motorpoint!”
