Clare Rix

Clare in the Ka, in 2013

The Ford Ka rally championship was one of the most competitive series for novice drivers in Britain. When thirtysomething mum Clare Rix decided to take up rallying, she jumped straight in at the deep end. Instead of trying out club rallying in a production model, she went straight to the national Ka championship, interspersed with some club outings in the same car.

Clare was the Ladies' Champion in 2001, when the competition was part of Formula Rally. She managed to out-drive 2003 British Ladies' Champion Shelly Taunt in the same machinery. Her best finish was third in class. She continued to drive in the Ka class in 2002, when it supported the British Rally Championship. Her co-driver was Scotswoman Aggie Foster.

A quieter year followed in 2003, with Clare competing in club rallies in her Ford. She gained several respectable midfield finishes in this little vehicle. Following this, she continued to be active in the BTRDA rally series and was one of its leading female drivers, regularly scoring well in her class.

In 2005, she contested the MSA English Rally Championship in Class E1. In 2006, she was ninth in this class, and in 2007, she was fifth in the BTRDA Class A5 standings and third lady driver overall. In 2008, she moved back to the BTRDA and was eleventh in class, 28th overall.

In 2009, still driving the Ka, Clare competed in some club rallies. She continues to drive in club events and is an active member of the West Suffolk Motor Club, whose rally prize she won in 2009. In 2013, she was still rallying regularly, in the Ka. Her best 2013 result was 26th, in the Flying Fortress Stages.

In 2014, she returned to BTRDA competition, mostly in forest events. Her best finish was 54th, in the Trackrod Stages.

Her best result in 2015 was an 18th place in the MiddleWick Stages, in the Ka. She also won her class. At the end of the season, she entered the Wales Rally GB National event, but does not seem to have finished.

Her best event in 2016 was the Malcolm Wilson Rally. She was 74th, fifth in class, in the Ka.

She is also an active member of the British Women Racing Drivers' Club and won its rally championship in 2001.

As of 2018, she is still involved in rallying but leaves the driving to her son Aaron, who uses her Ka.

(Image copyright Opposite Lock Photography)