A shipyard worker is gearing up for a nationwide competition to find the next best female racing driver.

Self-declared ‘petrol-head’ Catherine Bell is aiming to prove that car racing is not just a male-dominated sport as she prepares to take part in Formula Woman.

This is a motorsport entry opportunity for women of all ages, and the winners will receive a spot in the 2022 GT Cup Championship to compete against their male counterparts in a McLaren 570s GT4 race car.

The 21-year-old from Barrow is among an estimated 10,000 applicants who signed up to this year’s event which will be whittled down to just 16 finalists, who will then be involved with a series of televised heats to get down to the final two.

Miss Bell said she has had a passion for cars since she was a young aspiring racing driver.

She said: “I got into cars through family and friends really. I grew up being around cars, we always went to rallies at Grizedale. It was definitely a passion from an early age. I always wanted to be behind the wheel all the time, and do something with cars.

“I just love being behind the wheel – you feel free and have the ability to go wherever you want.”

It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that the mechanical fitter thought she could try her hand at car racing.

“I got a driving experience off my parents for Christmas and I couldn’t stop smiling when I got out of the car,” she said.

“I was like a kid at Christmas – I loved it so much.

“Then one of my mum’s friends saw Formula Woman and thought I’d be interested in it. I thought this was an opportunity not to be missed and decided to apply.”

Miss Bell also wants to debunk the misconception that racing is a sport just for men.

“It’s important to show that women can do this – and it’s not just for men,” she said.

“At the end, you actually go up against male drivers to show that women can do it too.

“It’s not just a male sport.

“It would mean quite a lot to me if I got through. I’d feel really grateful to my family who have always encouraged me."