City slicker Sam Shaw has made it through the initial selection process for a competition aimed at aspiring female racing drivers.

Sam, from Horsted Keynes, is in pole position for a place in a unique motor racing championship called Formula Woman.

It aims to change the face of motorsport and give novice women drivers a chance on the starting grid.

Sam hopes to leave the opposition standing.

"I'm passionate about cars and racing so this is a huge opportunity for me," she said.

Although she has never held a competition licence, Sam has racing in her blood.

"Both my parents used to race. My weekends were spent standing at racing circuits in the pouring rain but it still didn't put me off.

"It has always been a latent passion but one I have not been able to afford. If I do this and get noticed, I can perhaps get sponsored for a year and promote myself."

Sam went through a gruelling selection process to get this far in the competition.

Chosen from 10,000 applicants, she was among the 2,400 who made it to one of a series of assessment days.

Sam, 31, said: "Mine was at Brands Hatch. As well as a thrilling ride around the circuit in a Mazda MX5, we were tested on fitness, reaction times, general knowledge and media technique.

"I consider myself relatively fit as I go to the gym five or six times a week but that is probably more from an endurance point of view. This was things like 500 metres on a rowing machine as fast as you could, which is a lot more taxing than it sounds.

"The trickiest part was the media interview. It's all about giving good soundbites and you really have to shine to get noticed. It's a complete all-round package they are looking for."

Sam admits she has very little competition racing experience. "I've done a couple of track days at Thruxton and Silverstone and quite a bit of karting but you can't race seriously without backing."

Sam spends her working day "suited and booted" as a City head-hunter.

"In my job I have to present myself in a certain way - credible in a business environment.

"Motor racing is a physical outlet and it's a great way of getting rid of some of the stress that builds up during the working week. It's very energetic and extremely physical.

"It is not dangerous in the same way that motorcycle or speedboat racing is. It is adrenaline-fuelled but you are in complete control."

Her own motor is rather more modest than those at Silverstone.

She said: "I've got a Citroen Saxo so it's not exactly rocket-fuelled!"

Sam is now in the final 200 and aims to be in the final 50 who will be tested during a residential assessment week in March next year.

She said: "If I make it to the final 16, I will get to drive the new Mazda RX8 which is an awesome car. That will be an accomplishment.

"It would be the ultimate challenge for me and who knows what it might lead to."

The Mazda-backed championships are the brainchild of Haywards Heath-based Graeme Glew, a former racing driver who coached ex-Grand Prix and Le Mans winner Mark Blundell.