Dare To Be Different’s first Community Connect event took place at Silverstone last weekend (12 June) during the British GT Championship’s popular Silverstone 500 race meeting.
Some 120 eager Dare To Be Different Community members and key campaign partners gathered at the legendary ‘Home of British Motor Sport’ for an informal get-together and an opportunity to learn more about the high-profile initiative, whose ethos is to inspire, connect and celebrate women in every aspect of the industry.
Following a welcome and introduction from former Formula 1 driver Susie Wolff – who jointly founded Dare To Be Different in tandem with the Motor Sports Association (MSA) – a series of headline speakers took to the stage to share the secrets of their success.
In the surroundings of the Brooklands Suite, esteemed broadcaster and media consultant Louise Goodman offered an insight into life in front of the camera lens. Next up was Mercedes AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team Wind Tunnel Test Technician Dr. Kathryn Richards, who has played a role in three F1 title-winning triumphs.
Janaina Alves-Lopes then stepped up to describe her career path towards an events and marketing role with Just Marketing International (JMI), before all four women participated in a Q&A session with Community members, who were later able to watch some spectacular wheel-to-wheel sportscar racing, with panoramic views of the Wellington Straight, Brooklands Corner and Luffield from the Brooklands Suite balcony.
“It was fantastic to see such a great turnout for our inaugural Dare To Be Different Community Connect event, and to host it at Silverstone – a venue so synonymous with motor sport heritage and success – made it even more special,” enthused Wolff. “To have Louise, Kathryn and Janaina – all experts in their respective fields – give up their time to talk to and inspire the girls was brilliant.
“From the feedback I have since received, it seems that our Community members enjoyed the day and felt they derived real benefit from it – in addition to watching some exciting racing from a privileged vantage point. We’re already looking forward to the next Dare To Be Different Community Connect event!”
Set up as a non-profit organisation, access to the Community is just £25 per year and as Dare To Be Different grows, so too will member benefits. For more information, visit www.daretobedifferent.org/sign-up