MINI CHALLENGE UK: Lydia Walmsley – “I hope to make BTC Racing proud” (Part Two)

British Touring Car Championship team BTC Racing recently announced (2 April) the launch of their new ‘Young Driver Programme’, with the aim of guiding younger peddlers to the top tier of national motorsport.

The inaugural member of the project is 19-year-old Lydia Walmsley, who rose to prominence thanks to a string of successful races in last year’s Cooper class MINI CHALLENGE series.

In the second installation of a two-part interview, Walmsley discusses the recent news that will see her pilot a JCW MINI in 2021:

Congratulations on the new challenge that awaits you with BTC Racing. How does it feel to be the team’s inaugural racer in their Young Driver Programme?

“Thank you – It honestly feels amazing. I feel so lucky to be a part of the programme and to be the first ‘Junior’ driver of BTC Racing is such an honour. The BTCC has always been a dream of mine, so to be competing in the JCW championship under the name of a race-winning BTCC team is just incredible, and I cannot thank Steve Dudman for the opportunity enough.”

How did the opportunity to compete with a race-winning BTCC team come about?

“To cut a long story short, I was competing in the Cooper championship for the third season as a family team and we decided that it was time to move on, providing we could find the budget and the support we needed to make the next logical step, which was the JCW championship.

“My dad and I had numerous meetings with BTC Racing’s Team Owner [Steve Dudman] and together we managed to formulate a plan. Steve told us about his ideas for an all-new driver development programme and it all happened from there. It was definitely a case of good timing!”

BTC Racing have also provided a car for the rapid and ultra-competitive Jade Edwards in the main game for 2021. How important is it to you, as well as the whole TOCA package, to lead the way for female drivers in British motorsport?

“I think it is so important – I feel that young girls often look at motorsport and can’t see a role model to look up to and aspire to be like.

“This season, to watch the BTCC (which is the pinnacle of British motorsport) and see a woman competing and holding her own can only encourage young girls to get into motorsport, or any other interest, no matter who they are or their background, and to pursue their dreams even if they don’t fit the stereotypical mould of that particular ambition.”

Your three-year deal with BTC Racing provides a great opportunity to show your skills behind the wheel of a BTCC-spec Honda Civic Type R. Is the long-term goal of this partnership to see you racing for the main team once graduated from the Young Driver Programme?

“My goal in being a part of this programme is to gain as much knowledge as possible and develop my skills as a driver. To be surrounded by a BTCC team is such a great opportunity because I can learn so many things that I probably wouldn’t do otherwise.

“My career goal has always been to race in the BTCC and that hasn’t changed since being a part of this team. However, I just hope to progress, do well in the JCW championship and hopefully make Steve and the team proud.”

First and foremost, you’ll be making the step up from the Cooper class to the JCW class of the MINI CHALLENGE – what are the targets for 2021 in the senior series?

“I know the step up is going to be a challenge. I’m not quite sure what to expect as I haven’t actually driven the JCW yet, so I’m hoping just to gain as much experience as possible. I hope to be a contender for the rookie title by the end of the season, but most importantly, I just want to improve and have fun. Fingers crossed I can learn lots this year which will put us in good stead for 2022.”

With there still being a decent chunk of time until the campaign kicks off, what kind of pre-season schedule are you looking at with BTC Racing?

“At the moment, things are all a little up in the air. We will obviously be looking to get some testing in before the season starts as I need to learn this new car, but other than that, just trying to keep race fit, keep up with social media and make sure we are fully prepared for when the season starts.”

You’ll be tackling your home track of Snetterton for the first three events of a 7-round season in the JCWs. Could a win be on the cards as early in the campaign as then?

“I’m so excited to be going to my home track first – it is quite comforting as it’s the circuit which I have probably done the most laps on, however, I think an outright win would be unrealistic.

“We won’t have an idea on pace until we test there, but I think the goal will just be to gain experience as I’m sure by the time Snetterton comes around, my time in the car will still be quite limited in comparison to the other drivers who have raced in the championship previously. Hopefully a rookie podium though!”

We previously spoke about your path to motorsport success, but I’m sure you weren’t expecting to be a part of such a prestigious team at just 19 when you first started karting?

“Yes, that is definitely a fair statement! When I first started karting, it was very much a hobby and I didn’t really look into the future all that much.

“When I started racing cars at 14, I had my hopes and dreams but I certainly didn’t think that four or five years later I’d be racing on ITV4 in such a high profile championship with a British Touring Car team! It certainly is the start of a very exciting three years and I cannot believe that I am the lucky driver who has been given this amazing opportunity!”

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Many thanks to Lydia for speaking to us and the best of luck for 2021 from Motorsport Radio; the JCW MINI CHALLENGE series kicks off on 12-13 June.