THE Drivers Rallysport Club (DRC) is hoping to attract more women to local motorsports at the first round of their Tru Juice-sponsored AutoDex Championship series, on Sunday in Bybrook, St Catherine.

“We’re bringing back a ladies’ drivers championship, so there will be trophies,” Terry Hamilton, DRC vice president of public relations and marketing, told Auto.

The dexterity will make use of a section of the famous Bybrook rally stage and be run on gravel rather than the normal tarmac. The DRC is courting female drivers offering an award to the highest-placing female should three or more women enter the event. The incentives aren’t limited to seasoned competitors, as along with the entry fee training will be provided.

“There will be two options on hand for total rookies, both provided by DRC AutoDex Champion Maurice Whittingham. We will have a five-minute mandatory session for women and then one-on-one tutoring if requested,” Hamilton explained.

Hamilton, who was 2014 DRC AutoDex front-wheel champion, is looking forward to the challenge of the loose surface and rival Katherine Chin See. Chin See placed third last year in the series and is aiming higher for 2015 via a new car courtesy of Strong Solutions Auto.

“I’m going to approach it much the same as I did my last event in 2014, that is go out there and figure out the car and the loose surface, both of which I’m new to,” Chin See explained.

The professionals won’t have it all to themselves as rookie Danielle Powell hopes to have some level of success in her Mazda Demio.

“I think this is a great idea. It got me curious, so I’m just going to give it a try,” she said.

Hamilton believes the push by the DRC provides the perfect arena for women to come out and show their driving skills and competitive spirit. Chin See echoed a similar statement.

“I think this should encourage women to join the sport and see that it’s not just men that are good behind the wheel,” she added.

— Rory Daley