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NEWSLadies’ Night at KartrightFor the first time, Singapore’s only go-kart facility Kartright Speedway will be hosting an all-female go-kartsession. An idea initiated by Cheryl Tay, 24, motorsports enthusiast and Singapore’s only full-time femalemotoring and motorsports writer, REV catches up with the lady behind this all-female initiative…Richard Bradley takes Cheryl for an orientation lap.Q: What is Ladies’ Night? Not a nightof booze and dancing at Kartright wehope?A: (laughs) Definitely not! No drinkingand driving! Ladies’ Night at Kartrightis an introductory karting course forwomen only. The track will be closedand participants of the of the event willbe karting on the track with only femalesaround them.Q: What made you decide to holdLadies’ Night?A: Ladies’ Night is actually part of theprocess of recruiting drivers for the allfemaleteam that I’m putting togetherfor the inaugural OCBC CorporateKarting Challenge. This platform is forwomen who have always wanted to trykarting but am too shy to be aroundmales. With only females on the track,they don’t have to worry about beinglaughed at men for being slow.Q: So you will be selecting driversfrom Ladies’ Night?A: There will be an official selection roundfor my all-female team but from Ladies’Night I might spot potential talent that Iwill invite back for the selection round.Q: What is the course about?A: Basically, for $90 (or $80 if they bringa girlfriend), ladies will go through atwo-hour session inclusive of a theorylesson and also a practical lesson withdemonstrations by multiple British kartracing champion Richard Bradley andnational veteran karting championKenny Yip.Q: Is it a one-off event?A: Ladies’ Night is intended to be amonthly affair.Q: What is expected of the all-femaleteam?A: I will be looking out for six drivers– four main drivers and two reserves.As long as they have an addiction tospeed and a passion for motorsports,they are welcome to step forward.Prior racing experience is not necessary,so long as they show promising talent,is a team player, is committed and hasthe required fitness levels. Don’t forget,it’s a four-hour kart endurance race weare talking about!Q: What led you to put together anall-female team?A: A combination of factors led me tothis: firstly, it has always been my aimto bring more women into the sport,whether it’s into the driver’s seat or asa spectator or cheerleader. Secondly,the timing of Kartright’s launch of theOCBC Corporate Karting Challenge ledme to think of putting together an allfemaleteam to take part.Then a kind sponsor MIndCHIC Club!(www.mindchicclub.com) approachedme to sponsor two teams that I’msending in – an all-star team and an allgirlteam.Q: Who is MIndCHIC Club?A: It is a niche portal that specialisesin introducing and facilitating sports,games and hobbies to working adultsin bid of promoting a healthy worklifebalance as well as fan interest andincreased spectatorship.Q: Tell us a bit more about yourselfand your dreams.A: I made a bold move and quit mystable prospective job at an internationalhotel chain last year so I could pursuemy passion full-time.It hasn’t been an easy ride this fewyears and I thank each and every onewho has supported me in one way oranother. I share my experiences andthoughts on my website (www.cheryltay.com)and I hope to gather more likemindedenthusiasts, especially women.Q: How does it feel to be in a maledominatedindustry?A: The challenges I face are unusualbut no less tough; if only you knewwhat I have been through and am goingthrough. Nonetheless, that doesn’tmean there is no place for women inskirts.Ed.: We congratulate Cheryl on herbrave efforts to do something for theladies in our testosterone-heavy world!You go girl!Amin Noorzilanwins 2010 KartrightAcademy SportsmanshipAwardSingapore Karting Championship Juniorchampion Amin Noorziland was awarded the2010 Kartright Academy Sportsmanship awardfor his outstanding performance and attitude.right and other people recognised my efforts. Iwasn’t aware that there was such an award, butI’m very grateful to have been given it,” said 13-year-old Amin.This newly-established award was created toinspire young karters in their development forthe sport in the country and also to encouragethe development of good sportsmanship, strongcharacter and leadership.To be eligible for this award, one must be 18years old and below, a registered member ofKartright Speedway and have competed in atleast four of five rounds of the Singapore KartingChampionship in the year of selection. Qualitiessuch as leadership, perseverance, spirit, honesty,integrity and modesty are looked out for.“Winning the Sportsmanship Award made mefeel good, because I knew I had done somethingFor winning the award, he gets complimentaryKartright Speedway membership for 2011,complimentary unlimited track usage and 50 percent off kart storage fees at Kartright Speedwayfrom 1 January to 31 December 2011.“I hope I can be a motivation for others and Iencourage more people to pick up karting asit has thought me many things in life, not onlyabout the sport itself, but the mentality and alsothe focus, such as reaction and alertness,” Aminadded.“What I really hope to see is a one-build enginerace in Singapore so that everyone uses the sameengine, making it fair for all competitors.”06 MAR 2011