Meet the Leeds schoolgirl racing in the 'Olympics of karting' at the iconic Silverstone track

A 15-year-old Leeds schoolgirl is set to compete at the very track which inspired her to start kart racing this weekend.

Caitlin Steppenbeck, a student at The Guiseley School, has been selected as the wild card entry for the prestigious Rotax Racing International Final at the new Silverstone FIA approved Kart Racing circuit on Saturday May 30.

The teenager is “nervous” but also “very excited” to show what she can do on the track.

Caitlin’s dad Ben is particularly proud to see his daughter take on the renowned event which is known as the ‘Olympics of karting’.

Ben said: “It’s a really good opportunity for her to race against other racers from around the world, some of whom are the best drivers.

“She’ll get to take it up against them on the track and it’ll push her a little bit more.”

Caitlin’s appearance at the Rotax Racing International Final also feels particularly poignant as the event will take place at the very circuit which inspired her to start kart racing two years ago.

Caitlin said: “I went down to Silverstone to watch the GT cars and I decided I wanted to do motor sports from then.

“It was the competitiveness. I just like the fastness of the cars and everything about it.”

From then, Caitlin began kart racing at TeamSport Leeds and in a short space of time, she’s already begun to make a name for herself within the sport.

Her highlights so far include joining the UK's pioneering all-female kart team, AJ Racing, for a test day, and competing in the Club100 Northern Championship.

She also has received her first ever sponsor from Retford-based safety equipment supplier. Rope and Rigging.

Jacqui Hilton, owner of Rope and Rigging said: “We are delighted to be supporting Caitlin at the very start of her motorsport career.

“We can’t wait to see what she achieves in the coming season and the years to follow.”

For Caitlin, the appeal of kart racing is rooted in the feeling you get when you’re driving.

“There’s a lot of adrenaline and you have a great time on the track,” Caitlin said.

In the future, Caitlin hopes to reach British F4 and that’s why one of her main inspirations within motor racing is Daniella Sutton who is currently competing in the Wera Tools F4 British Championship.

Motorsport is historically male-dominated and just 13% of karting competitors are female.

Caitlin wants to change this and that’s why alongside the Rotax Racing International Final, she is also part of the Jamie Chadwick Series, a grassroots all-female karting championship.

Hosted at Daytona Motorsport venues, the roaming championship offers women and girls a competitive and structured racing environment, and mentorship from British racing driver Jamie Chadwick.

Caitlin’s dad Ben said: “There’s an attitude that's always been there that (racing) is a male sport - that girls can’t do it as well.

“It’s a silly, poor fashioned attitude but it’s improving and the Chadwick Series is helping with that.”

Caitlin is entering the Rotax Racing International Final this weekend with high hopes of success.

Yet, the schoolgirl is also calm and collected and is far from feeling the pressure.

This Saturday, her plan for the race is simple: she’ll jump in the kart and drive the best she can.

To continue to progress in motorsport, Caitlin is looking for more sponsorship opportunities.

Any businesses interested in this can reach out via her Instagram to learn more.