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Lorraine Clark
British MGOC Class A Driver
Lorraine Clark, 36, comes from London, England and has been
racing for just 5 years. This year she gained awards for 4th in the
MGOC Class A, and top lady racing driver of BWRDC (British Women’s
Racing Drivers Club). These awards and her unending determination
drive her forward, with ambitions for a first win this year.
As a young girl, Lorraine was always competitive and through her
athletic pursuits gained tremendous experience of the hard work and
dedication necessary to reach the top in any sport. A regular
competitor in Pentathlon events at County level, Lorraine went on to
pursue race-walking and was becoming competent, finishing 23rd in
the country at the age of 14, when injury struck. A complicated knee
problem, although eventually diagnosed and operated on, prevented
Lorraine ever returning to full fitness.
Lorraine married Terry at 19 and had her son, Daniel at 23, but
as soon as Daniel was at school full-time Lorraine knew she had to
pursue something for herself. Her uncle had been racing MG’s for
some time and Lorraine had often gone along to watch. It was at this
point she decided to get a job to finance a racing career, and that
is what she did. Lorraine started out as a part-time PA but as her
racing costs grew she started to work full-time and now manages the
office at A D International, a consultancy and publisher, who kindly
sponsor her with some money and time off as needed.
She started
racing a MG Midget in the MGOC Championship in 1995, after passing
her ARDS test with flying colours at Mallory Park. Her car is a
road-going 1975 Midget. After a year spent ‘learning the circuits’
‘doing my time’ ‘learning the art’, she had her engine rebuilt to a
somewhat more competitive spec. The following year husband, Terry
and Lorraine re-shelled the car. It now looked and felt great. She
went on to put in her first Podium finish at Silverstone that year,
taking a second place.
Although she has only been racing for 5 years, Lorraine’s
dramatic style never ceases to amaze.
In her first year of racing, Lorraine was placed on pole position
(probably a sexist gesture by all her fellow racers (yes they were
all men)) for the start of a two driver race at Mondello Park in
Ireland. Totally unperturbed by the onslaught of cars a great deal
faster than her own she set off with genuine enthusiasm.
| the fastest thing on
the circuit... | In her
second year of racing, a trip to Pembrey in Wales resulted in a
dramatic fire as a fuel pipe split, spilling fuel onto the tyres,
causing the car to spin. Once the car stopped rotating, the fuel hit
the exhaust and burst into flames. Lorraine took one look at her
fire extinguisher and ran. (Lorraine was described as the fastest
thing on the circuit!!!) Thanks to the help of all those around her
the car was put back together for the second race (this help
included a company who were present demonstrating their high
pressure car wash systems!) Unfortunately the fire had caused a
weakness in the steering mount, and part way through the race the
steering wheel came out in her hands!! Lorraine remained calm and
came to a standstill out of harms way, but only later realised what
a lucky escape she had had.
Whilst leading her first race at Lydden Hill, in Kent, Lorraine’s
alternator bracket broke, the alternator then dispersed its teeth
under the bonnet, shredding the fan belt and causing a loss of power
and the race.
This year a total brake failure, as the seal in the master
cylinder gave way due to excessive heat, resulted in a triple roll
at Zolder in Belgium. Spectators were to witness the emergency
services at their very best as they ripped the roof off the car and
lifted Lorraine carefully from the wreckage. Despite a visit to the
local hospital she was declared fit, though possibly not very
sensible, and with the help of other competitors rebuilt the cars
sufficiently to pass scrutineering and compete in the second of the
double-header race. Lorraine finished a commendable 9th from 22nd,
in appalling conditions driving a car that looked like it had gone
nine rounds with Mike Tyson!
This winter the car has to be re-shelled again following a
dramatic season, but she remains undeterred.
Lorraine constantly encourages other ladies to take up the sport
and has been an inspiration to many. She is currently taking over as
secretary for the BWRDC) and is an Associate Editor for Thunder
Valley Racing.
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