The second season of the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) kicks off at TT Circuit Assen on April 11. We also continue with our WorldWCR Special Series of riders’ interviews. First, we give you the the story of British rider Jamie Hanks-Elliott.
Photos © Jamie Hanks-Elliott
Jamie Hanks-Elliott’s racing career is rooted in a family legacy of speed and determination. Her grandmother Rose Arnold, the first woman to stand on an Isle of Man TT podium, among her family members of sidecar racing veterans, ensured motorsport was etched into her DNA. “It’s all I have ever known since I was born. Similar to today, I’d travel the country to watch my grandad and my mum compete. My childhood consisted of cheering them on, whether that be at British Superbike rounds or at the Isle of Man TT races. I knew racing was in my life to stay from a very young age.”
Even though Jamie’s passion for motorsport was forged by her family legacy, she pivoted slightly when choosing her own path in motorsport. “When my grandad and mum retired from racing in 2016, I decided I wanted to give it a go. The original plan was to race on two wheels till I got to 18 and then move on to sidecar racing which is what my family has been doing since my great grandfather raced. However, I fell in love with two wheels and didn’t want to change as I was pleased with the progress I was making.”
Having her grandma as a compass navigating her way through the sport, Jamie’s aspirations soared beyond lineage. She studied icons like trailblazing women in the sport and GOATs like Marc Márquez. “My idol will always be my Nan as she paved the way for many females and gave women like me the confidence to compete against men. I also look up to some of the women I have raced against such as Maria Herrera and Ana Carrasco and riders like Marc Marquez who never gives up despite going through awful injuries, bad luck, and not-so-competitive bikes.”
Inspired by her original family, Jamie then propelled her career even further through the support of a found family. “My partner, Cameron Hall who races in British Supersport has helped me a lot in recent years, using his experience to help me change things such as my riding style and how I ride. He is the first real rider coach I have had as I used to just get on the bike and ride it how I felt comfortable. He taught me that to get faster, I needed to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
Before 2024, Jamie has been racing in feeder classes of British Superbike, including British Junior Supersport and BMW F 900 R Cup. In 2024, while Alyssia “Lissy” Whitmore was injured, Jamie stepped in to replace injured Lissy first at the Portimao round of WorldWCR, then towards the end of the season at Estoril and Jerez. “When I first joined the championship at Portimao, for sure I was very nervous but I knew I had the confidence and ability to compete against these girls. Despite coming in midway through the season I felt very welcomed and felt I belonged in the championship.”
I loved the idea of WorldWCR as it gives females that pedestal to be noticed and recognized. When I started racing there weren’t many females at all racing. I’m not sure if there were enough females racing at a good enough level to make a championship in itself. But as time passed more women got into racing. By competing against the men, our capabilities have been brought on so much. We can now all make a competitive championship.
As a late-comer, Jamie confronted elite competition head-on, swiftly adapting to the R7 while juggling a demanding racing calendar that still required her presence in British Superbike. “The first time I jumped on the Yamaha R7 was in practice at Portimao and I felt so comfortable instantly. When I got back home I had to jump onto my 200kg BMW F900 to race at British Superbikes. Although there was a big difference between the speed and weight of the bikes I adapted well and I was as fast as I could be.”
Throughout the six races she participated in the WorldWCR, Jamie steadily improved her race classification from 17th to 13th, scoring seven points in the championship. The 2024 season of WorldWCR proved to be a highlight and learning opportunity for her at the same time. “I don’t think anything I’ve experienced in my career can top Portimao. It was surreal being able to race at World Superbikes. And despite the results of my first race, I was able to ride in that top 10 group straight away which I was so happy with. My biggest takeaways from last season were that I needed to be more aggressive. I believe I improved this over the rounds I participated in and it’s something I will take into this year. Racing in the WorldWCR was also the first time I have ever had data on a bike and I was able to compare this data to the fastest girls in the world. I believe this gave me some answers as to how I can improve and definitely made me a better rider. Now I am able to see where I could make time up on track. For sure my qualifying needs to improve and I’m looking to do that this year with the help of data and giving it my all for one lap.”
In 2025, Jamie is joining the full-time line-up of WorldWCR. As she revs into the season opener at the iconic TT Circuit Assen, Jamie eyes steady growth in her first full WorldWCR season. “Top-10 finish is definitely one of my goals for the season. Most of the tracks we are going to I have never rode before so this will be a challenge with the little track time we get but I will give it my all as I always do.”
It is important to enjoy myself whatever happens as this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so all I can do is give it my all and remember to enjoy it. A happy rider is a fast rider.
Now Jamie is busy preparing for the season, which kicks off on April 11th. “We are about to go to Spain to do some testing on my practice bike. I have a great program with The Moto Athletic Development Academy. As the weather improves in the UK I will for sure be on a bike a lot more before the season starts, improving all aspects of my riding session by session. As I work part-time at a gym, I can use the gym before or after work following my personalized training program. It includes both strength and cardiovascular exercises. When I’m not working, I get out as much as possible on my training bike, improving my bike fitness and constantly learning. Physically I am in the best shape I’ve ever been in. Mentally I am more resilient and stronger-minded as well.”
The 2025 WorldWCR Calendar
1. Dutch Round, TT Circuit Assen – 11-13 April
2. Acerbis Italian Round, Cremona Circuit – 2-4 May
3. Prosecco DOC UK Round, Donington Park – 11-13 July
4. Hungarian Round, Balaton Park Circuit* – 25-27 July
5. French Round, Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours – 5-7 September
6. Spanish Round, Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto – 17-19 October
* Subject to homologation
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