Amanda Stretton

Amanda Stretton
Stretton in 2018
Born
Amanda Cohn

(1973-07-24) July 24, 1973 (age 51)
London, United Kingdom
Occupation(s)Racing driver, broadcaster, motoring journalist
ChampionshipsASCAR Mintex Cup
British GT Championships
WinsSpa-Francorchamps

Amanda Stretton (née Cohn; born 24 July 1973, in London) is an English racing driver, broadcaster and motoring journalist.[citation needed]

Early life and education

The daughter of British automobile collector and historic racer Terry Cohn, she grew up in London and was educated at New Hall School in Essex.[1] At age 13, she raced Motocross bikes.[2]

Career

Motor racing

In 2001 she became the first ever female driver to compete in the ASCAR Mintex Cup where she finished in 6th place.[citation needed] In 2003, she entered the first ever female team in the British GT Championships, and was the first British female to race in the FIA Championships.[citation needed] In September 2004 she became the first British woman to win an international long distance event at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, beating her husband, a competitor.[citation needed] In 2006, she competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.[3]

Media career

Stretton was invited on to a television show to debate the proposal that "Women can't drive or race", and in light of her feisty and intellectual defence of women as drivers and her actual track record, was offered a position with Channel 4 to co-present their motorsports coverage under the title "Motorsport on 4" which included the British Formula 3, GT, MGF and Rally Championships, as well as the Anglo-American Stock Car Racing series and UK Supercross.[citation needed] She has also presented Channel 4’s Driven.[citation needed]

After Channel 4 lost the television rights to the majority of their motorsports events, Stretton presented most of the events for the new rights holders including Sky Sports, EuroSport, and Silverstone TV; and is one of the radio commentators for the American and European Le Mans Series.[citation needed] She also picked up presentation on non-motorsports events for the Travel Channel and NOW.com.[citation needed]

Stretton presented Channel 5's Dream Machine series, in which classic cars are restored or kit cars which replicate them are built; as well as UK Horror Homes.[4] With Murray Walker she co-presented ITV1's coverage of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Goodwood Revival and The Goodwood Members Meeting for many years.[citation needed] Away from the track, she has presented "Wrecks to Riches" for Discovery Home & Leisure, is a freelance journalist and writes for a range of newspaper columns and specialist motoring titles.[citation needed] Stretton has been a brand spokesperson and presenter for Mercedes-Benz, Michelin and now the Panasonic Jaguar Racing Formula E Team.

Stretton is the motoring editor at Confused.com.

She is Patron of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Welfare Trust.

In March 2024, Stretton became an ambassador[5] for the cancer care charity Hope for Tomorrow, which operates a fleet of mobile cancer care units across the UK to bring treatment closer to patients. Her role involves raising awareness of the charity's mission to increase access to cancer care services.

Personal life

Stretton has a daughter and a son, Mia and Marcus, and enjoys cooking.[2]

24 Hours of Le Mans results

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2008 United Kingdom Chamberlain-Synergy Motorsport United Kingdom Bob Berridge
United Kingdom Gareth Evans 		Lola B06/10-AER LMP1 87 DNF DNF
Sources:[6][7]

References

  1. ^ "Amanda Stretton". The New Hall Association. 21 September 2015.
  2. ^ a b Woman Motorist – Amanda Stretton's Tall Racing Mountains
  3. ^ Super mum driven to show she has Le Mans credentials[dead link‍] Times Online]
  4. ^ Women Speakers Archived 9 November 2005 at the Wayback Machine, womenspeakers.co.uk]
  5. ^ "Welcoming Amanda Stretton as our newest ambassador". Hope For Tomorrow.
  6. ^ "Amanda Stretton". Automobile Club de l'Ouest. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Amanda Stretton Results". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 30 May 2023.