It’s probably safe to say that Nicole Thomas never expected to be a role model to women.
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Four years after commencing her car racing career aged in her “early” to “middle” 40s, thus becoming one of two women drivers in Tamworth, but the only one who raced regularly, the devout motor racing fan has inspired other women to take up the sport.
One of them is Tamworth Sporting Car Club spokesperson Kate Slingsby.
Perhaps it is modesty that prevents Thomas from acknowledging that she is an inspiration to woman.
“I’d say no [to being an inspiration],” she said. “But if you asked Kate, she’d say yes.
“As Kate said, ‘If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be racing, and they’d be so many other girls that wouldn’t be racing.”
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There were “about four” women current driving, Thomas said, adding: “We have come-and-try days, and some days there can be up to another five, six girls that are out there for the day having a go.”
TSCC’s final round will be held at Oakburn on Sunday. Thomas will be there driving her street-legal VR Commodore.
Her first race was some four years ago. Her partner, drag racer James Allston, suggested she drive.
It was like they took me under their wing and helped me.
- Nicole Thomas
She said: “We used to just go out and watch [races at Oakburn] and all that. And my partner said, ‘Why don’t you have a go’.
“And I went, ‘Okay, yeah’. So, a little bit daunting to start with, but it’s great now.”
Immersing herself in a male-dominated sport was made easier by how “comfortable” her fellow drivers made her feel.
She admits to being “a little surprised” by that. “I got more advice than I actually needed … But it was good. It was like they took me under their wing and helped me.”
Slingsby said Thomas was a “fabulous lady driver” who proved “anyone can have a go” at racing, and whose car “is her pride and joy”.