News and Events

BU Business Grad One Step Closer to Starting Grid

20 June 2007

Business Studies graduate Karen Hilton is through to the final 100 in race to find Formula Woman drivers.

BU Business Studies graduate Karen Hilton is one step closer to taking her place in the starting grid of the Formula Woman motor racing circuit.

From 3,000 initial entrants through to the 500 short listed to attend fitness and driving assessments, the 23-year-old from Southampton is now through to the final 100 vying for just 16 places in the main competition.

Karen faces two days of grueling eliminators at the end of June that will push her track driving skills to the limit.

She’s also putting her entrepreneurial skills to the test in search of the £12,000 sponsorship she'll need to compete in the eight-race Formula Woman circuit between July and November, created exclusively for amateur female drivers with no previous racing experience.

The Formula Woman Champion for 2007 will win a fully-funded drive in a national race series for 2008, valued at over £25,000.

“Everyone I know is getting behind me 100% but it's an expensive exercise,” Karen said.

“Prior to the eliminators, I am working towards gaining the £12,000 worth of sponsorship I’ll need if I make the final 16.

“If anyone can back me financially, there will be plenty of opportunities to raise the profile of my sponsors through the Formula Woman circuit, with the racing public and beyond.”

Karen, who finished her degree only last year, is excited about being so close to achieving her dream of driving ‘for real’. She’s already spent her formative years on some of the UK’s top circuits, as her father dabbled in racing during the 1980s.

Motor racing is in my blood,” she enthuses. “I spent many a weekend rolling tyres at Thruxton and Snetterton - much to my mother’s disgust!

She later sold cars, for a Volkswagen retailer in Southampton, and for her placement year at University, she went to Volkswagen HQ in Milton Keynes and spent a year working with SEAT in their Franchising department.

“At SEAT, I got involved with a number of activities and when my placement ended, I secured a job working as an events assistant on their British Touring Car Championship campaign,” Karen recalled.

She then returned to complete her degree in Bournemouth but with her sights firmly focused on a longer term career in the motor industry.

“After graduating, I was lucky enough to be one of six that secured a place on the graduate scheme with BMW Group UK,” she concludes.

“It’s a two year scheme and for my first year I'm based in MINI as a Product Marketing Executive, which I absolutely love! The advertising really reflects the buzz of the brand, and it's an energy that is definitely transferred to the MINI office.”

Karen Hilton is actively seeking sponsorship to support her drive to reach the final 16 on this year’s Formula Woman starting grid.

Anyone who is able to help fund Karen's motor racing activities should telephone her directly on 07828 604999

Fast Lane Beckons BU Business Grad