Beth McColgan of Forres wins visit to Silverstone and meeting with Jessica Hawkins via Click2Drive Bristol Street Motors racing helmet design contest
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A LOCAL motor racing fan’s helmet design won her a visit to Siverstone racetrack.
Beth McColgan (17) of Mannachie Gardens entered a contest organised by Bristol Street Motors (BSM) while researching the teams involved in the W Series, a free-to-enter championship that provides equal opportunities for women.
She said: “I stumbled across an advert for a competition to design helmets for the Click2Drive Bristol Street Motors team in the W Series British Grand Prix. I had less than a week to submit my entry. Because it was the British Grand Prix, I wanted something British. I placed the Union Flag on the first helmet template and moved it around for something to start with, then I kept adding to the design. I curved the lines of the flag to make it look more aerodynamic and added arrows to resemble direction.”
Beth submitted her design and saw the result during a live stream announcement.
She said: “My family kept telling me to not get my hopes up but I just wanted to see the other designs and work on more in the future. When they displayed some behind the announcers I saw some that I thought could be winners. When racing driver Jessica Hawkins pulled mine out I was shocked. I started crying and shaking with happiness, then the host said my name! I’ve only designed helmets before for fun so hearing compliments for this design felt amazing!”
On top of seeing her design used on team BSM’s helmets for the British leg of the W Series 2022 racing season, Beth’s prize was a day at Silverstone and the chance to meet Jessica.
Beth said: “My trip to Silverstone was amazing. Finding our way through the gate, someone took us in a golf buggy to the WSeries HQ in the middle of the track. There was a huge screen to watch the F1 practices and the W Series qualifying, and you can hear the cars from just a few meters away! We also got to do a paddock walk, seeing the cars close up. I was then taken to the drivers - when Jessica was told I designed her helmet, she handed it to me. Seeing my design in my hands was surreal. She complimented me and said I have potential for a career in design.
“Seeing my design on the track was cool and it was mentioned by the commentators!”
Beth, a Digital Media student at Moray College, has always been a fan of motor sports.
She said: “I’ve grown up wanting to be a racing driver but I’ve never had the chance to try. I adore the speed of F1, and how inspirational every driver is. I love the W Series in particular because of its message for the world: women can do anything if they work hard.”
