Lydia Walmsley

Touring racing // British

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nickname:

Liddy

Birthday:

February 12, 2002 (23)

Birthplace:

Ipswich, England

racing type:

Touring racing

team(s):

racing status:

Pro

height (cm):

165

residence:

Ipswich Suffolk England

inspiration(s):

Jenson Button

guilty pLEASURES:

FOLLOWING:

GRRL! Number:

GRRL-0410

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profile updated: June 12, 2025

Lydia Walmsley is a rising star in British motorsport who has made history as the first and only female to stand on a Mini Challenge JCW podium, demonstrating exceptional skill and determination in one of racing’s most competitive championships.

EARLY YEARS

Lydia’s journey into motorsport was supported from the beginning by her parents, Mike and Hilary Walmsley. Her father Mike has been particularly instrumental, serving as a key member of her racing team throughout her career. This family foundation allowed Lydia to begin her racing career at just seven years old, when she first experienced karting at Buckmore Park.

EARLY SUCCESS

In her first year of competitive racing in 2011, Walmsley narrowly missed winning the Corporate Cadet points championship at Anglia Indoor Kart Centre, finishing second by just one point. Her remarkable resilience was displayed in 2012 when, after suffering a broken leg and tibia at Ellough Park, she returned to racing within months and earned the Young Driver of the Year award. Her talent continued to shine as she progressed to become a Junior Rotax Champion at Ellough Park and was named a finalist in the UK Karting Magazine’s Female Driver of the Year Award.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

2024: Concluded the Vertu Mini Challenge season at Brands Hatch with top-6 finishes in all three races, including a pole start and the fastest lap in wet conditions.
2023: Achieved fourteen top-10 finishes including a personal best fifth place at Silverstone; awarded British Touring Car Chat ‘Supported Driver of the Year’ for the fourth consecutive year.
2021: Made the significant step up from Cooper class to the more competitive JCW championship.
2019: Secured five podiums in the Mini Challenge UK Cooper Pro championship, including her maiden victory at Snetterton.
2012: Earned the Young Driver of the Year award at the EPKC Presentation evening despite suffering a broken leg earlier in the season.

REPUTATION

Walmsley has established herself as one of the most promising female talents in UK motorsport, known for her consistency and resilience in the face of challenges. Her achievements in the male-dominated JCW championship are particularly notable, having become the first and only female to stand on a Mini Challenge JCW podium. She’s also known for setting a fastest lap with the biggest margin in 7-year JCW history, cementing her reputation as not just a talented female driver, but a formidable competitor regardless of gender.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Lydia’s long-term aspiration is to compete in the prestigious British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), a goal she has been working towards through her participation and success in the Mini Challenge series. Her continued partnerships with sponsors like Carlton Cleaning, Black Stag Styling, and Liability & General provide crucial support for this journey toward the highest level of British touring car racing.