Jamie Chadwick has become the first winner of the all-female W Series single-seater racing championship, after a thrilling race at Brands Hatch.

The 21-year-old driver, originally from Bath, described the nailbilting race as the “worst 30 minutes of her life” as she clung on to score enough points for title glory.

Oxfordshire-born Alice Powell took her first win in the W Series, having pressured her way past Chadwick from second on the grid.

A qualifying session with challenging and changeable weather conditions saw Chadwick secure pole position for the final race. 

Chadwick’s only title rival, Beitske Visser, qualified fifth and ideally needed to scoop victory to have a real chance of denying the British driver title glory. 

Finishing on the podium would have been enough to see Chadwick crowned champion, but even that ended up being a tougher fight than anticipated.

Beitske overtakes @JamieChadwick55 for fourth! The championship gap closes… #WSeries pic.twitter.com/wMmC5TQEuz

— W Series (@WSeriesRacing) August 11, 2019

Although Chadwick made a good start, she would see herself slipping down the order as both Alice Powell and Emma Kimiläinen made their way past her. A close fight with title rival Visser saw brief contact made between the two single-seater racing cars, with Chadwick then dropped to fourth. 

The tension was ratcheted up even further, as a late safety car saw the pack close up following a spin by Miki Koyama. 

Despite the drama, Chadwick was able to hold onto fourth place, with Visser finishing third. The end result saw Jamie take the championship by 10 points over her Dutch rival, to a mixture of both joy and relief. 

Ladies and gentlemen, your inaugural #WSeries champion!

A well deserved victory after season like no other for @JamieChadwick55. 🏆👏 pic.twitter.com/pNUVfsJwOF

— W Series (@WSeriesRacing) August 11, 2019

Winning the W Series secures Chadwick a $500,000 prize payout, designed to aid her progression in the next level of motorsport. Having already been signed as a development driver for the Williams Racing Formula One team, the young Brit clearly has a strong future ahead of her. 

Alice Powell’s victory saw her claim third in the W Series championship, with fellow British racers Sarah Moore and Jessica Hawkins taking 8th and 12th overall respectively. 

Esmee Hawkey finished 15th in the championship standings. A stall on the grid, followed by a drive-through penalty, meant her strong efforts of third place in qualifying turned into a 16th place finish at Brands Hatch. 

Finishing in the top 12 for the overall championship is significant, as those drivers receive an automatic invitation to return for the 2020 W Series competition.

W Series Chief Executive Catherine Bond Muir has promised extra European rounds for 2020, with the series looking to expand further across the globe in the following years. Next year will also see drivers eligible to score FIA Super Licence points, which are vital in order to become a Formula One driver. 

The overall success of the W Series this year suggests that a female F1 racer is a closer prospect than it has been for many years.

If you’re the sort of person who grinds their teeth at the thought of ‘influencers’ making easy money with Instagram promotions, look away now.

Or perhaps not, given these people also have much more exciting jobs. They’re Formula One drivers.

As you might expect, racing legend Lewis Hamilton is king of the F1 Instagram elite. His 12.4 million Instagram followers can earn him an estimated £40,590 per sponsored post.

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Estimates by Celebrity Spend Comparison suggest those with 500,000 followers earn £1,667 per post on average. The estimated per-post earnings, including Hamilton’s, are based on multiples of this figure. 

Hamilton leads his grid-mates by some way, both in the championship and in terms of social media earnings. Max Verstappen’s 2.4 million Instagram followers can earn him nearly £8,000 per sponsored post.

Mercedes team-mate and points runner-up Valtteri Bottas can rake in £3,630 per sponsored post, based on his 1.1 million followers.

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In terms of annual salary, Lewis earns the average UK yearly wage (£29,588) in just nine hours, 46 minutes and 48 seconds.

If he emerges from the 2019 F1 season victorious, he will have six world titles to his name, just one behind seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher – the most successful Grand Prix driver of all time.

Yet another championship would be just the sort of thing that’s appropriate to celebrate in a £32 million New York penthouse. With that kind of talent and the performance he’s put in throughout his career, it’s well-earned.

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Football is back, although given the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the fact that it’s only early August, it never really went away. On the eve of the new Premier League football season, Norwich City has announced a multi-year partnership with local car company Lotus. It’s a chance for us to channel our inner Delia Smith by saying: “Football, let’s be havin’ you”. Here are some other examples of when cars play football.

Accrington Stanley’s Volvo 940

Do not adjust your set: this really is a 1993 Volvo 940 covered in an artificial football pitch. And yes, those hubcaps – which look like a tribute to the Fiat Panda Italia ’90 – are indeed styled to look like footballs. And it was all for ‘charidee’…

The Volvo 940 was purchased for the ‘Monte Carlo or Bust’ rally, with teams tasked with buying a car for £250 or less and then getting to Monaco in three days to raise money for their chosen charity.

Fiat Panda Italia ’90

Can it really be 29 years since England were cruelly knocked out of the World Cup by West Germany? Ah, the memories: the missed penalties, Pavarotti, Gazza’s tears and the Fiat Panda Italia ’90.

In the summer of 1990 it was possible to wander down to your local Fiat dealer and drive away in a Panda Italia ’90, complete with Ciao mascot livery, baby blue seats and those football hubcaps. Oh, those football-styled hubcaps…

Ford Cortina and the England 1970 World Cup squad

The relationship between football and cars isn’t a new thing. Back in 1970, Ford’s marketing strategy involved giving a Mk2 Cortina to every single member of the England World Cup squad. 

In revenge for England’s victory four years earlier, West Germany stormed back from being two down to win 3-2 after extra time. Still, at least they had ‘dad’s favourite’ Cortina to look forward to when they got back home.

Top Gear and the Toyota Aygo

The very first episode of series six of Top Gear saw Hammond and May engaged in a game of football of a different kind.

Using a giant inflatable ball, Top Gear created Aygo Football. Two series later and the teams were back, but this time the Aygo was pitched against the Volkswagen Fox.

Hyundai i10

To celebrate Hyundai’s sponsorship of the 2010 World Cup, Hyundai created a pair of football cars, each one featuring ‘grass’ bodywork and interior, a giant football on the roof and goal posts fixed to the A-pillars.

One was subsequently sold off to raise money for BEN, the automotive industry charity. It sold for £5,005: about £500 less than a normal Hyundai i10.

Kia and Euro 2008

The European Championships of 2008 will perhaps be best known over here for the fact that none of the home nations actually managed to qualify for the tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

But that didn’t deter Kia from jumping on the football bandwagon with its ‘Drive for Glory’ and ‘Be Kia, Be Together’ campaigns.

Kia and the FA Cup

Two years later, Kia was propelled into our living rooms once again as they sponsored ITV’s coverage of the FA Cup.

Oh how we laughed with Keith, Ian and Andy as they accompanied Chelsea’s imperious march to victory at Wembley Stadium. No, not laugh, the other thing…

Smart and the 2010 World Cup

Providing the proof that you don’t need to spend millions on a glossy sponsorship deal, Smart rode the wave of football hysteria by hosting a series of games at Mercedes-Benz World, Weybridge.

It wasn’t anything like Top Gear’s Aygo Football. Not at all.

Honda

Honda’s ‘Impossible Dream’ advert is quite simply one of the greatest car ads of all time.

But in 2006, Honda and its ad agency ‘remixed’ the ad to wish England good luck at the World Cup. It was brilliantly executed. Sadly the same couldn’t be said for England’s penalties, as the team crashed out against Portugal.

Chrysler and school’s football

Here’s one from the archives. Look at the fresh-faced Michael Owen, then aged 22 and with the world at his feet. Still living in the glory of his wonder-goal against Argentina and adored by fans of Liverpool, where he was regularly banging in the goals.

And seemingly loving the PT Cruiser donated by Chrysler as part of its backing of the Umbro Schools Football initiative. Nobody has ever looked this happy with a PT Cruiser.

Vauxhall and the home nations

Clearly acknowledging that it would be difficult to ‘support’ one national football squad, Vauxhall decided to sponsor all four of the home nations’ teams.

It didn’t bring the nations any luck, but Wales did a mighty fine job at Euro 2016.

Vauxhall and Fabio Capello

As part of Vauxhall’s sponsorship of the English FA, the then manager, Fabio Capello was given a Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer in 2011.

Less than a year later, he had resigned. At which point Vauxhall probably asked for its Insignia back. Still, Fabio’s loss is another man’s gain…

Vauxhall and Roy Hodgson

With Fabio gone, it was left to Roy Hodgson to collect the keys to England’s future and a new Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer.

The wagon is ideal for collecting groceries at the supermarket, but ultimately Roy was undone by Iceland.

Vauxhall and Pierluigi Collina

Back in 2005, Vauxhall-Opel called upon the world’s most famous referee, Pierluigi Collina to star in its ‘Take Control’ ad campaign.

The campaign – which featured a Signum and Vectra – led to Collina’s resignation, after it prompted conflict-of-interest allegations due to Opel’s sponsorship of AC Milan.

Proton and Norwich City

Here’s a Norwich City partnership from earlier. Proton’s ownership of Lotus led to the brands’ sponsorship of Norwich City, a club based just a few miles from the Lotus factory in Norfolk.

Delia’s restaurant was joined by the unexpected arrival of a Proton dealership situated within the Carrow Road stadium. Turn up to watch football and drive home in a car. Simple.

Proton and Delia Smith

Delia’s looks thrilled to be holding the keys to the Proton GEN-2. Meanwhile, Proton UK’s MD is simply delighted to have ‘sold’ another car.

Vauxhall Movano and Luton Town FC

Never a firm to miss an opportunity to do something football related, Vauxhall provided a Movano van to local club, Luton Town.

It acted as a temporary changing room as The Hatters’ players strode out of the back of the van resplendent in their new away strip. You stay classy, Luton.

Nissan Leaf and Forest Green Rovers

Non-league Forest Green Rovers is owned by Dale Vince, owner and founder of a green energy company.

So it was no surprise when the club took delivery of 11 all-electric Nissan Leafs. In 2015, the club added a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to the fleet.

Skoda and the Football League

How old does this photo look? But then it would do, as it was taken back in September 2003 when Skoda became the official car company of the Football League.

Today, much like Crystal Palace featured in the photo, Skoda is positioned well within the premier league of its respective field.

Fiat and Aston Villa

Back in 2010, Fiat signed a fleet deal with Aston Villa, promising that it was to be an ‘Aston Thriller’. Yes, they really went there.

MG Rover and Aston Villa

Eight years earlier, Aston Villa and MG Rover marked the signing of a two-year sponsorship deal with a special one-off ‘Aston Villa Rover 25’.

We have no idea what happened to the car, but there’s no truth in the rumour that some lads in blue football shirts were seen pushing it into a nearby canal.

Chevrolet and Manchester United

Chevrolet’s sponsorship of Manchester United is well publicised. In 2012, the firm signed a seven-year deal worth £25 million per season.

At the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Chevrolet proudly displayed this Manchester United liveried Trax. Not the ideal car, we suspect, to drive to Liverpool on a Saturday night.

Citroen and Arsenal

Citroen has been associated with Arsenal since 2008, with the company seemingly hell-bent on punishing the players with a series of embarrassing stunts and activities. Here we find Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey perfecting their clothing catalogue poses.

Skoda and Leicester City

In 2016, research carried out by Skoda revealed that a national trend for adopting the colours of a local football team were being felt most in Leicester. As the Foxes marched to the Premier League title, the sales of blue cars soared by 340% year-on-year.

Dodge and Ram could be a set for a shock return to the UK, according to Automotive Management (AM).

The American brands have been absent from these shores since 2010, after the cars failed to strike a chord with UK buyers. The Journey, Avenger, Caliber and Nitro aren’t names remembered with a great deal of fondness.

But AGT Europe, the official FCA Group importer for Dodge and Ram in Europe, is hoping to convince UK dealers to consider re-establishing the brands in the UK.

Currently, all UK sales are handled by David Boatwright in Essex, but AGT Europe is keen to expand its operations.

‘Enthusiastic about American cars’

Giovanni De Luca, the network development manager at AGT Europe, told AM: “We are looking for dealerships that are enthusiastic about American cars and have working sales and aftersales structures, as well as being well known in their local area. It can be multi-brand dealers.

“Jeep dealers have some advantages on working with the Dodge and Ram models as the tools and hardware are the same or very similar.”

Jeep sold 170,000 vehicles in Europe last year – an increase of 50 percent on the year before. This makes it bigger than Land Rover in the region.

The company offers five models in the UK, ranging from the £20,000 Jeep Renegade to the £90,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. 

On the face of it, the Dodge and Ram brands would appear to be a good fit for Jeep dealers and its customers, but there’s no word on which models would make it to the UK.

AGT Europe, which is headquartered in Switzerland, has sold around 20,000 vehicles since 2001. Dodge models include the Challenger, Charger and Durango, while the Ram range comprises a selection of 5.7-litre V8 pick-ups.

For a hint of what might be to come, check out the David Boatright website. At the time of writing, UK customers can buy anything from a £24,000 Dodge Challenger RT ‘with upgrades’ to an £85,000 Dodge Hellcat Widebody.

You can also buy a 2017 Dodge Durango all-wheel-drive Citadel six-seater for £34,000. Still want that front-wheel-drive crossover?

Think of car from the 1950s to use as the basis for an incredible custom machine, and a Mercedes-Benz is unlikely to be high on the list. 

But ignore the usual Mercury, Ford, or Chevrolet creations, as this 1952 170 S Sedan offers all the usual bespoke style, but with a distinctly German flavor.

It is also available to buy at the forthcoming Mecum Auctions 2019 Monterey sale, where it will line up alongside 600 other vehicles for three days of selling action. 

Mercedes-Benz first launched the 170 S in 1949, and is notable for being the first new model offered by the company following the end of World War II. 

Development was based upon the earlier W136 Mercedes, but the Stuttgart firm wanted to add some additional luxury. Enter the 170 S, aimed at attracting businessmen to take a seat in the upgraded interior.

Power came from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, offering 52 horsepower. More than 31,000 examples were produced until 1953, when the revised 170 Sb version appeared. 

Chopped and dropped

The classic proportions of the 170 S make it perfect for becoming a custom car, with Samson Design in Marshall, Missouri responsible for the transformation.

A thorough frame-off restoration was the starting point, before custom touches were added. A 2-inch chop to the roof, along with a 1-inch lean on the front grille, are just some of the subtle special tweaks.

Bespoke glass has been used for the front windshield and side windows, whilst the front fenders are handmade. Everything has been finished with modern Mercedes-Benz Mystic Brown paint.

Just 52 horsepower was never going to be enough for this custom car, so the original engine has been ditched. Instead there is a 455 horsepower 6.2-liter Chevrolet LS3 V-8 engine, hiding beneath a Mercedes-branded cover. 

A three-speed automatic transmission connects to a customized Chevrolet 10-bolt differential at the rear, with the driveshaft made from chromoly. 

Power disc brakes are fitted all round, whilst the suspension is an adjustable coilover setup. Bespoke Wheelsmith rims where Mercedes-Benz hubcaps, and come wrapped in Yokohama S Drive rubber.

What can brown do for you?

Inside is a makeover fitting for what was intended to be a luxury vehicle when it first left the production line. Hand-stitched mocha leather covers almost every surface, with even the pedals and headliner included. 

A custom dashboard fits onto a bespoke firewall to accommodate the LS3 engine, incorporating a Mercedes-Benz logo on the passenger side. 

Short-loop tan carpet finishes the rest of the cabin, and other neat touches include a hidden centre console compartment, plus satin metal trim.

The outstanding finish of this 170 S was recognized at the 2016 Detroit Autorama show, where it was a finalist for the Great 8 trophy. An appearance at the SEMA Show was also made in the same year.

An estimated sale price of $350,000 to $450,000 is testimony to the attention to detail paid to this Mercedes, and the exclusivity of a car which truly stands out from the custom crowd. 

Lot S83 will cross the Mecum Auctions block on Saturday August 17, along with a host of other rare and exotic offerings. 

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