Amanda  Black (b1982)

Amanda Black went to Cliffedale Primary School, and lived with her parents in Manthorpe Road, Grantham, for most of her life, has won a coveted place in next year’s ‘Formula Woman’ motor racing championship.  

After leaving Cliffedale Primary at the age 10, Amanda went to Stamford High School and later graduated from the University of Northumbria with a BSc in Geography and Sports Science.  Earlier this year, she began a new career as a PE teacher at Skegness Grammar School and Sports College. 

Amanda has always had a passion for racing. On her fourteenth birthday she dominated the track at Grantham Grid Indoor Karting and her father, Stuart Black, said: “It was clear she was a natural racer from the very first day she got behind the wheel.” Amanda pursued her love for karting at the Ancaster Kart and Paintball Centre where she also worked as a marshal and receptionist in her school holidays.

Amanda was selected from over 2,000 entrants nationwide to be one of 64 female finalists to take part in a gruelling weekend of motorsport at the Pembrey Circuit in South Wales.

Driving a Caterham 7, she qualified for pole position in her group and went on to win the ‘Formula Woman Novice Cup’ race after an exciting battle between the leading 3 contestants. 

By winning the race she has secured a place in the 2006 ‘Formula Woman’ championship which will take place at motor racing circuits around the country next summer.  Fifteen other women will join Amanda to battle it out for the prestigious ‘Formula Woman’ 2006 trophy.

The event also saw ‘Formula Woman’ entering the Guineness Book of Records for the largest number of novice women racing drivers taking part in their first ever race.

Amanda’s enthusiasm for motorsport began at the age of 14 when her parents took her to the ‘Grantham Grid’ indoor kart track as part of her birthday celebrations. 

The Formula Woman pre-elimination camp showdown trials were held on the 20th November in Pembrey, South Wales 2005. This was an opportunity for the final 100 left in the competition to win a seat in the final 16, without having to go to the gruelling elimination held in June 2006.

There was only enough places for 64 woman to compete and have the chance to win a seat. There were 4 races with the winner of each race automatically qualifing for the final 16.

University Of Northumbria: BSc(Hons) Geography and Sports Studies and the University of East Anglia: Postgraduate Certificate of Education in Secondary Education

In September 2005 took up a teaching post in Physical Education at Skegness Grammar Sports College.