Abbie Eaton

Abbie Eaton is a trailblazing British racing driver who made history as the first female race winner in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain and served as test driver for Amazon Prime’s “The Grand Tour.”

EARLY YEARS

Born in 1992 in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, Abbie was immersed in motorsport from birth, making her first trackside visit at just two months old. Her father, Paul Eaton, was a former saloon car racing driver whose career sparked Abbie’s passion for racing. At age ten, after persistent pleading with her parents, she received her first go-kart—a gift that would launch her racing journey. By age 15, she had transitioned to cars, competing in the Junior Saloon Car Trophy with the steadfast support of her family, including her grandmother Betty, who set aside money each year to help purchase cars for Abbie and her brother.

EARLY SUCCESS

Abbie’s karting career yielded numerous podiums and wins in the Comer cadet class before progressing through Minimax and Junior Max categories. Her car racing debut came at 15 in the 2007 SAXMAX Championship, where she finished as high as fourth place. The following year, she led the championship for much of the season before ultimately finishing fourth again. Her breakthrough came in 2009 when she dominated the Production Touring Car Trophy Class B, securing 9 wins from 18 races and 16 podium finishes in a Vauxhall Corsa SRi-R. Abbie truly established herself in 2014, overcoming early mechanical issues to claim the Mazda MX-5 Supercup Championship with an impressive five wins, seven podiums, six fastest laps, two pole positions, and a new lap record.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2009: 1st place in the Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup – Class B with Thorney Motorsport[1].
• 2015: Selected as a “Rising Star” ahead of the debut GT Cup season[1].
• 2016: 4th place in the British GT Championship – GT4 with Ebor GT Motorsport[1].
• 2023: Competed in the W Series, the world’s first female-only single-seater championship[2].
• 2024: 5th place in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain – Pro-Am with Rebelleo Motorsport[1].
• 2024: 1st place in two races of the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain – Pro-Am at Silverstone, becoming the first female winner in the series[1].
• 2024: Participation in the Goodwood Revival Meeting St. Mary’s Trophy[1].

REPUTATION

Abbie has established herself as a versatile driver capable of excelling across multiple racing disciplines from GT and touring cars to single-seaters. Her broader recognition came through her role as test driver for “The Grand Tour,” where she showcased her precise driving skills to a global audience. Her resilience was powerfully demonstrated after suffering fractured vertebrae in a serious accident at Circuit of the Americas in 2021, yet returning to competition determined as ever. In 2024, Abbie made history as the first woman to win in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, cementing her status as a groundbreaking figure in British motorsport. Her achievements continue to inspire a new generation of female racers, proving that talent and determination can overcome traditional barriers in the sport.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Looking beyond 2024, Abbie has expressed a desire to expand her racing horizons internationally, with specific interest in competing in sportscar championships in the United States. Among her bucket list aspirations is racing at the legendary Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, Australia, one of motorsport’s most challenging and prestigious venues. With her adaptability across different racing categories and growing reputation, she aims to build on her historic achievements while continuing to break barriers for women in motorsport.

References:

What You Didn’t Know About The Grand Tour’s Abbie Eaton
Abbie Eaton W Series Interview
The Grand Tour’s Perfect Tame Racing Driver: Abbie Eaton

(bio created: )

News

Video

Most Recent Posts from Abbie’s Instagram

[racer_instagram]

Upcoming races, appearances, launches, etc.