Sarah Kavanagh plans to compete in 2005

Sarah Kavanagh Sets Sights On GP2

Sarah Kavanagh is hoping to inspire female race fans to support her as she takes on the toughest challenge of her motorsport career; competing in the upcoming inaugural 2005 GP2 championship.

The Warwickshire-born racer, who has secured backing from the global recruitment company; Drake International, is set to quickly finalise the commercial partner portfolio necessary to compete in the exciting new championship.

GP2 is replacing the International Formula 3000 Championship as the main support race on the European rounds of the Formula One World Championship. The cars are built in Italy by Dallara, use grooved Bridgestone Formula One style tyres, and feature a 580bhp 4.0 litre V8 Renault engine, which will present demands to drivers very similar to those experienced by F1 pilots.

This challenge does not faze Sarah as she has already proved her skills racing a Jordan Formula One car in the EuroBOSS series - a championship dedicated to racing recently retired F1 cars. Her performances have attracted attention from the likes of McLaren and Jaguar - the latter in 2004 offered Sarah a long-term contract, which owing to sponsor and contractual issues failed to come to fruition.

Her Formula One ambitions now put to the back of her mind, Sarah is concentrating fully on her assault at GP2 for 2005, a decision which has the support of motorsport's most influential character, F1 Supremo, Bernie Ecclestone:

"Bernie is always extremely supportive and looking for ways to help. We had a very productive conversation and his assistance has been crucial in putting together my 2005 campaign," said Sarah following a meeting with Bernie at the Italian GP.

"I'm very excited about getting on the track again in the GP2 series," continued Sarah. "The car is fantastic and has the kind of power and characteristics I'm used to from EuroBOSS."

GP2 will be the highest profile racing series outside of Formula One. With it's format involving a race on the Saturday and Sunday of a Grand Prix meeting, the media exposure and viewing figures both in attendance and television will be extremely attractive to potential sponsors demanding high-level exposure on a truly-global scale.

"It will be extremely tough and the competition is fierce, but I believe I am fit enough and fast enough to compete at the highest level," said Sarah. "Attitudes to women competing in motorsport have not always been complimentary but times are changing.

"Ellen MacArthur's recent achievement is inspirational and proves that women are taking on the toughest and unlikeliest of challenges and succeeding where nobody thought they could. There is nothing to prevent a woman from one day becoming a champion racing driver."

Ends

About Sarah Kavanagh: 30 years old, born in Warwickshire, England, moved to Jamaica as a young child before settling in Ireland, where she now lives in Dublin.

Has competed in motorsport since she was 18, experience in karting, Formula Fords, Formula Vauxhall / Opel, Formula Two, Formula Nippon and EuroBOSS. Sarah has a long list of wins, podiums and fastest laps to her credit.

In addition to racing, Sarah hosted Irish motoring TV program DRIVE! for four seasons and is a respected motoring writer. For more information visit www.sarahkavanagh.com where fans can sign up for her 'Sweetheart' programme and get closer to the action.

About Drake International: "Drake International concentrates on solving business problems, reducing costs, increasing revenues and enabling corporate strategic intent."

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