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Ginetta is delighted to announce that teenage motor racing sensation Sarah Moore, tops off her whirlwind year having been shortlisted for the illustrious BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2009, in celebration of her historic Ginetta Junior Championship season.
The 16 year old from York, who became the first female champion on a British Touring Car Series in October, proved her mettle on the mixed-sex grid, scoring five wins in twenty races and winning the title with 448 points in only her second year of racing. Organisers of the BBC award credit her with being "the most successful female racing driver in Britain and in the history of motorsport."
An ecstatic Sarah added: "I can't believe I have been nominated for this award! The BBC Sports Personality of the Year show is something my family and I watch religiously so for me to be involved is incredibly exciting. I'm up against some really stiff competition from the other nominees but its just great to be recognised outside of the motorsport world - everyone at Ginetta and all my friends are so pleased for me."
The prestigious award, which counts Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott in its Hall of Fame has shortlisted ten talented teenagers, ranging from 17 year old sailor Mike Perham to gymnast Beckie Downie. A panel including BBC Sport's John Inverdale; Jake Humphrey (BBC Sport); Helen Skelton (Blue Peter) and previous Young Sports Personality of the Year winner Kate Haywood, will meet to choose a top three which will be announced on Monday 23 November 2009. They will then be invited to the live event at Sheffield Arena which takes place on Sunday 13th December and will be broadcast on BBC1.
Ginetta Chairman, Lawrence Tomlinson who has championed her talents from the start commented: "This nomination tops off a quite simply astounding year for Sarah. Winning the Ginetta Junior Championship and consequently becoming the first ever female winner on the BTCC package is quite an achievement for one so young, but I have a feeling that this just the start for Sarah. Driving is in her blood and I know that I, along with all followers of the Ginetta Junior Championship are delighted that she is getting the recognition she deserves."
Sarah is set to defend her 2009 championship title next year with new driving team Your Racing Car. Team owner Hannah James said: "We're so excited. Of course, this nomination for Sarah is down to years of hard slog and a heap of talent. We're just privileged to be taking her on to the next stage in her career".
