A Lancashire car parts advisor has become the only female competitor to qualify for the regional finals in a national Go Kart tournament.
28-year-old Laura Duckett from Accrington, a parts advisor at Bowker Ribble Valley in Osbaldeston, is the only female competitor remaining in the 500 regional finalists in the Euro Parts Garage Karting Tournament.
Laura took the podium at the TeamSport circuit in Trafford Park in Manchester after a 16-lap final race on a kart reaching over 30 miles per hour. The last 500 nationally, including Laura, have beaten off the challenge of over 5,000 participants competing in 150 heats.
Laura now has her eyes on the regional finals and making it through as one of 45 finalists. In addition to national glory, the ultimate winner will receive prizes, including Milwaukee tools and workshop solutions packages worth up to £5,000.
Laura, who has been working for Bowker for seven years, said: “I love Go Karting, and I’m excited to have qualified for the Euro Parts Garage Karting Tournament regional finals! I was surprised to learn I am the last female to make it through. But I’m not sure that matters much. If you’re the fastest, then you’re the fastest! And that’s what’s important!
“I’m looking forward to the regional finals, and we’ll see what happens after that.”
Laura started Go Karting at the age of 8 but had not been in a Go Kart for five years before the race. Laura also raced MINI stock cars from 11 to 15. Laura’s family are racers; sisters, dad, brother, and uncle have all raced MINI stocks and stock cars. Laura’s cousin races F2 stock cars. Laura’s twin sister Amy, who works in the steel industry, also races Go Karts and stocks.
For Bowker Ribble Valley, Richard Rawlings said: “I think it is great that Laura is so good at a motorsport activity that overlaps with her day job too! We’re incredibly proud of Laura. She’s an exceptional parts advisor and a fierce competitor. It’s a good combination! We’re all rooting for her in the regional finals!”
The Euro Parts Garage Karting Tournament is a nationwide competition for car mechanics and technicians organised by Euro Car Parts. The tournament promotes competition and camaraderie in the automotive industry while raising money for charity. The tournament has grown significantly since its inception in 2021, from just under 1,400 competitors to 5,000 in 2023.
The Euro Parts Garage Karting Tournament fosters friendly competition within the automotive industry and raises charity money. In 2021, the tournament raised over £20,000 for Ben, a charity supporting people with disabilities.