Nathalie Mcgloin
Rally racing // Bridlington, East Yorkshire, England
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Nathalie McGloin, a pioneering motorsport athlete paralyzed from the chest down at 16, is the world’s first female tetraplegic racing and rally driver.
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FULL BIO: Nathalie Mcgloin
Nathalie McGloin is the world’s first female tetraplegic racing and rally driver who competes against able-bodied men in the Porsche Club Championship while advocating for greater inclusivity in motorsport as President of the FIA Disability and Accessibility Commission.
EARLY YEARS
Born in Northampton, United Kingdom, Nathalie’s life changed dramatically at age 16 when a car crash in 1999 left her paralyzed from the chest down with a shattered neck at the C6-C7 vertebrae. After spending almost a year in hospital, she showed remarkable resilience by returning to school to earn her A Levels. Her passion for motorsport developed later when a friend introduced her to a track day, where she discovered the sport’s inclusive nature that focused purely on driving skill regardless of physical ability.
EARLY SUCCESS
McGloin’s competitive racing journey began in 2015 when she obtained her Motorsport UK Competition Licence and started competing in the Porsche Club Championship with an adapted Porsche 987 Cayman S equipped with hand controls. Her breakthrough came at the 2018 Walter Hayes Weekend at Silverstone, where she claimed her first race victory in the BWRDC Allcomers Race—a significant achievement that showcased her exceptional skill and determination as a disabled driver competing at a professional level.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2015: Became the first female with a spinal cord injury in the U.K. to be granted a racing license[1].
- 2018: Won her first race at Silverstone in the BWRDC Allcomers Race[1].
- 2019: Became the first female with a disability to earn a rally driving license in the U.K.[2].
REPUTATION
As the world’s only female tetraplegic racing and rally driver, Nathalie has established herself as a groundbreaking figure in motorsport through her unwavering determination and exceptional talent. Her role as President of the FIA Disability and Accessibility Commission has further cemented her status as a powerful advocate for inclusivity. McGloin’s meticulous work and achievements have earned her global recognition, including induction as a Guinness World Record holder as the first female quadriplegic rally and circuit racing driver, making her an inspirational trailblazer for future generations of drivers with disabilities.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
McGloin’s long-term aspirations include competing in the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race, a goal she shares with the Eighty-One Racing Heroes team she recently joined. Through her ongoing partnership with Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team and her charity Spinal Track, she aims to continue expanding accessibility initiatives in motorsport while embodying her motto that “Anything Is Possible.”
References:
Nathalie McGloin: A Driving Force for Inclusion in Motorsports
Nathalie McGloin: How Paralysis Fueled Love for Motorsport
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