2012 This is an exciting and busy year for the Gatorback RAM team. Clare will be running her new Mustang V8 drift car in the National Supadrift Series, as well as racing in the V8 Supercar circuit racing series. She will also participate in the Porsche 917 ISP class when the calendar allows. Clare will continue in her role as Chairperson to the Women In Road Safety and an ambassador to the Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre.

2011 The Gatorback RAM team focussed on racing their Porsche 917 replica in the International Sports Prototype class, finishing second in the Championship despite some non-finishes early in the season. Clare also took part in the two final WesBank V8 Supercar races at Zwartkops, but the team spent a lot of their time developing and testing their purpose built drift Mustang.  Clare became President of WIM but resigned from the panel by the end of 2011. Clare then became part of the newly formed Women In Road Safety forum and was voted in as the forum’s inaugural Chairperson.

2010 Mrs Fast had a difficult season in the V8 class, with some unlucky non finishes. She still made history by taking 3rd overall at the daunting East London circuit and becoming the first female driver to stand on the WesBank V8 Supercar podium. Clare became Vice-President of WIM.

2009 Clare and the Gatorback RAM team made great progress in her second season, becoming the first lady racer to start a WesBank V8 race from pole and in the process becoming the first lady racer to lead a WesBank V8 race.

2008 saw the First Lady have her first full season in the WesBank V8 Supercar Series. Her best finish that year was in Port Elizabeth, where she came home 5th overall and secured her first trophy in the series in the process. Her partnership with Gatorback RAM also commenced in 2008. This year also saw Clare start her relationship with the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre, a relationship that continues to this day. The Centre was chosen as the “green affiliate” to the racing team. In addition Clare became the car circuit racing representative on MSA’s (Motorsport South Africa) WIM (Women in Motorsport) panel.

2007 saw Clare become the first lady racer to race in the Bridgestone Production Cars Class A class. This was a short lived stint in the Subaru STI as team politics led her to leave the team after only one race. She then entered the last WesBank Super Series race of the 2007 season to make her debut in the WesBank V8 Supercar series.

2006 Clare again raced in the Shelby Can-Am series. She was awarded “Driver of the Day” on several occasions and finished the year with a strong haul of points, despite a number of unlucky non-finishes.

2005 saw her first full season competing in the National Shelby Can-Am series.  She slowly built her confidence with controlled and calm performances in the series.

2004, in October, was the year Clare started her racing career in the Shelby Can-Am series. Her aim was not to finish last and to finish the race in one piece – both of which she did and the racing career of ‘The First Lady’ started in earnest. She was the first lady driver to compete in a Shelby Can –Am.

Affiliates:

Clare Vale has always felt that giving back should be a priority as a racing driver. Over the years she’s become involved with various causes and the team has supported these causes as well. Below please find causes and supporters of her causes.

Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre: Clare has been an ambassador for the Centre since 2008. The team also hosts an annual charity karting day in aid of the centre. Clare hopes to use her profile to raise attention for the centre and events such as the karting to raise funds for the Centre. http://www.dewildt.co.za/

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Road Safety Foundation: Clare was appointed as an ambassador for the Foundation in 2009. She works closely with them on various road safety projects. http://www.roadsafetyfoundation.co.za/

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Women in Road Safety Forum: The forum was founded in 2011 and Clare was appointed their first Chairperson. The forum aims to raise awareness around Road Safety.

 

 

 

 

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Enviropaedia: A “Green” website we’ve worked closely with other the years, leading to our relationship with the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre. http://www.enviropaedia.com/

 Fleetwatch Magazine: Fleetwatch is an important partner of the Road Safety Foundation, particularly  regarding commercial vehicle road safety matters. http://www.fleetwatch.co.za/