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published: 2019-03-14 06:13:29 (6536) Author:

Julie Thurston - International Women of RC

If you're involved in the 1/10th IC class, it's time to talk to the boss! Section Chairman, Julie Thurston!
How did you get started in RC?
I brought my husband a ready to run Hobao on road car for Christmas to play with, he enjoyed it and went on to find a local track. At the age of 3, my son started to go with his dad to the track and started playing with a Mardave, then at the age of 5, he moved on to a Serpent Impulse. At this stage I knew if I wanted to see them both at weekends, i was going to have to go with them. This was my start in RC.

Racing cars is traditionally a male dominated activity - did you find RC a welcoming environment to join?
The RC community welcomed me with open arms, at home and then when I went into Europe racing. The RC world was about racing, but also about families even 15 years ago, so being a woman was never a problem in the RC world. Did the RC world welcome me..? 15 years later and I am now a chairman of a section within EFRA... this speaks for itself!

Would you like to see more women in the sport?
I would like to see more woman in the sport if that's what they wanted to do, as I said before male or female doesn't come into it, i just see a driver and mechanic, official, organiser... What is more important to me is that there is NO stopping them coming into the RC world if that's what they choose, and that does not happen! So the RC world is wide open to all females if they wish!
What would you say to any women reading this considering getting involved?
To any female wanting to come and join us in our crazy, fast paced world I would say? Take yourself off to the nearest track, smell the nitro, tie your hair back and get involved, these are the nicest people you can meet, competitive? Yes, but still have time to chat and have fun. You will make friends from every corner of the world and it only enhances your life!

Finally, as it's International Women's Day. Tell us a woman you look up to...
Who do I look up to?? Now that is a question... who I have admired and watched within the RC community?? Well that would have to be Ariane Levy! I have watched this lady for 15 years and she never fails to impress me!!!!
Outside the track?? Why Queen Elizabeth ll of course!!!!?