Jodie Hemming will make her saloon car racing debut in the next rounds of the Michelin Clio Cup Series at Oulton Park, after signing a deal to compete in the Roadcar category with SWB Motorsport.
The 28 year old has successfully competed in single-seaters in the past, including competing in a Jordan Formula One car in the EuroBOSS category, before taking a break to start a family six years ago.
The mother of two also competed in Formula Jedi, Formula Renault UK and Formula Palmer Audi, and recently got behind the wheel of a Formula Renault 2.0 for the first time in seven years at Mallory Park with SWB.
She is focusing on tin tops now though, and is returning to action in a 200bhp race-converted Clio Renaultsport 197 car at Oulton on Saturday 17th May, as she aims for a future in GT racing.
“I want to show that mums can be racing drivers and having children does not have to spell the end to your career,” said Jodie. “I am probably physically fitter than when I was competing [in single-seaters] and can’t wait to get back into racing again as I feel I want to race now more than ever.
“Oulton is one of my favourite circuits as it is so technical and a true driver’s track where there is no time to relax as your adrenaline pumps at maximum all the way around. I’m going there to win and make the most of this fantastic opportunity.”
SWB Motorsport team manager Simon Baldry added: “Jodie was one of Britain’s best female racing prospects when she was racing in single-seaters and I can see a whole new world opening up for her starting with racing our Clio.”
Hemming will be joined on the grid by fellow newcomer Jonathan Creasey, the car racing debutant entering the fray with his new team Paint Perfect Motorsport.
Their arrivals come as the Roadcar category will have stand-alone races for the first time at Oulton, having run as a class alongside the headline Racecar class up until now.
