“Woman should feel empowered by other women and we should be out to support each other in any circumstances, don't feel hurt or let down because of the way men are when it comes to being in a man's world. We are strong and any woman can do anything! Thanks to Formula Woman for giving us the opportunity to step out of the box and have a good go!” – Jessica Curtis
Photo Credit: Jessica Curtis
Photo Credit: Jessica Curtis
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I am 23 years old am a qualified Electrician and new homeowner – two things I am very proud of. I really enjoy making others laugh and joking around being light-hearted. I grew up in a town called Rotorua with a population of around 70,000 in New Zealand. During winter I Play field hockey and rugby. I am just starting to get into mountain biking which is going great so far, we are extremely lucky here to have awesome forests with heaps of tracks.
I travel a lot for work as I am an industrial sparky and we do lots of sawmills and automation. I have been to Australia twice this year for work total about 2+ months. I’m really enjoying my home renovations at the moment its teaching me plenty of patience haha. In 2019, I travelled to Fiji for a spring break trip held by a radio station here. I stayed around for another 2 days and volunteered at a local school building a food path.
What first attracted you to motorsport?
I grew up around car and bikes with my Dad. He has always had old school cars and plenty of projects that I’d get stuck in and help when I could. Going to speedway on the weekends was very normal for us, or any days out that involved cars. My Grandad is also a mechanic and has pit crewed on rally teams in his younger years. So cars and motors in general are just the norm for myself and my family. I really go into motorsport myself when I was about 14. My parents brought me a ministock. I had a go on a family friends and was hooked. So I then raced speedway till I was 20- 21.
What made you want to enter the Formula Woman Competition?
It was really out of the blue! I saw it on tik tok actually and thought this can’t be real, but when I looked into it some more I thought how awesome it was so why not give it a go. I’m all for woman giving anything a go especially when it comes to male dominated sports or work places. Plus I would hope so show others that may not have the confidence on there own that the support is there for woman who are unsure.
Photo Credit: Jessica Curtis
Photo Credit: Jessica Curtis
What have you been doing to prepare for the competition?
I’m lucky my job is very physical and am on my feet for the majority of the day up and down stairs and moving heavy things so that helps. I’ve also joined the gym recently and try to run as much as I can. My mates and I have in the last couple years have gotten into orienteering which keeps me fit as well. I’ve been working on mental strength as well and positive self talk because I know that it is important to have a strong mentality when on the track.
How much does this opportunity mean to you and how important is it that Formula Woman is giving women this platform?
It’s meant a lot because I have something to look forward to and work towards doing my best at the assessment. It’s been so inspiring seeing the amount of woman going through this and how they’re all so keen and excited ready to push the boundaries and remove the stigma that motorsport is just for men. There are a lot of woman out there that want to try racing a car or going to the racetrack but don’t know where to start or even have anyone to go with to see if they like it, so it gives us woman independence and confidence to get out there and do it without being judged or feel out of place.
Do you have a favourite motorsport series?
FORMULA ONE – who doesn’t love it?! I follow it a lot more now than I use to and my work mates all do to so we have plenty discussions about who’s the best.
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Would you like to pursue a career in motorsport in some way after the Formula Woman competition?
That’s the dream for sure, I’ve always thought about a career in motorsport especially since following Formula One more. I think being a race engineer would be pretty cool as I like to understand the nitty gritty side of things work in a big team and up close with the drivers as well as strategies.
Would you rather have the ability to see ten minutes into the future or 150 years into the future?
150 years for sure I could only imagine how far along technology would be and the different things we could do in our daily lives. I get excited about the future and what it holds for me.
If you could play any musical instrument, which would you choose?
Guitar I think I'm pretty great on the air guitar so it can't be that much harder right…haha 😂
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Thanks again to Jessica for taking the time to chat and I wish her the best of luck for the Formula Woman Competition.
Keyword: been so inspiring seeing the amount of women going through