Bristol woman on track to become professional racing driver
Steph Bedford is into the final 50 of a competition called Formula Woman, hoping to uncover the world's best female drivers
Whisper it quietly, but a Bristol woman could soon achieve her childhood dream of becoming a professional racing driver.
Steph Bedford, who's 32 and lives in Fishponds, is into the final 50 of a competition called Formula Woman, which aims to find the world's best female drivers and give them a shot at success.
Although it is not on air yet, the whole thing is being filmed for television and we are told it could broadcast either at the end of 2022 or start of 2023.
You may recognise the name as an original series broadcast on ITV back in 2004.
We caught up with Steph at Absolutely Karting in Bristol to find out about her journey.
"It all started really from childhood," she said, of her passion for motorsport.
"My dad is really into rallying and all sorts of motorsport related stuff, so it was kind of from there, his passion, it relayed into myself."
Steph used to go and watch rallies in Wales with her family and one Christmas got a go kart voucher from her parents, which had her hooked.
"From then I literally begged to go back, week after week, ended up winning the 12 week championship...
"Unfortunately to go any higher it costs a lot of money...so it didn't go any further."
Back in 2004 Steph watched the original Formula Woman series so when she realised the show was coming back, applying was a no brainer.
"It's huge (getting into the top 50)," she said.
"For me, my dreams of motorsport were extinguished, I was going to be a spectator.
"To now actually think I'm going to take part, I'm going to be a competitor within an established championship, hopefully, it's super exciting.
"I genuinely feel like the stars are aligned for me this time and yeah, I'm going to give it my best and hopefully win."
From the top 50, four winners will eventually be chosen.
Two will become the primary drivers for a team in the GT Cup racing series, with two reserve drivers ready to step in if needed.
On a professional circuit, the winners will be expected to race in McLaren cars, capable of doing 200 miles an hour.
You can find out more about the GT Cup series here, but circuits set to host races in 2022 include Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Donington Park.
If you want to find out more about the Formula Woman competition, you can do so here.