A teenage racing driver competing in the F1 Academy has praised Wiltshire College & University Centre for supporting her as she balanced her studies with an international motorsport career.
Rachel Robertson, 18, studied a Level 3 Motorsport Engineering course at the college's Chippenham campus while progressing from karting to the Radical Cup UK before securing a place with Hitech GP in this season's F1 Academy championship.
During her two years at college, Rachel raced across the UK, China and Canada, as well as competing at Silverstone, making it a challenge to juggle coursework with race weekends.
She said lecturers were understanding of the demands of her racing schedule and helped her complete the course.
"Through my first year it was beginning to get a bit busier in my racing life and then in the second year I was going here, there and everywhere," she said.
"They're all petrolheads, so when I told them I could either meet an assignment deadline or be racing at a Grand Prix weekend, they understood the circumstances and made it all manageable for me."
Rather than leave the course unfinished, Rachel said she was determined to gain her qualification alongside pursuing her racing ambitions.
Originally from Edinburgh, she also spent time living at the college's Lackham campus while studying in Chippenham, describing the move from city life to rural Wiltshire as "a really nice change of scenery".
After scoring her first F1 Academy points at Silverstone this season, Rachel hopes to secure another year in the championship before progressing into Formula 3 or GT racing.
Looking back on her time in Wiltshire, she said the experience had helped prepare her for life in motorsport.
"I think I'll just remember how much I enjoyed being with the people in my class and the lecturers. Everyone there is so passionate about motorsport and that was really lovely to be around."
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