Toowoomba-born Alexandra Whitley has become the latest Australian to be accepted into 55-strong qualifying round for the new international female single-seater series to be held later this month. 

Whitley is the fourth Australian to be on the W Series’ special qualifying shortlist, joining Chelsea Angelo, Charlotte Poynting and Caitlin Wood amongst the representatives.

Originally unsure on whether to be involved in the series or not, after doing research and speaking with her mentors, Whitley had a change of heart and decided to enter the event, despite missing the cut off date.  

Fortunately, not long after winning a  race in the New Zealand V8 Utes a few weeks later, Whitley received an email revealing her successful application, which will give her a chance to be part of the historic series in May, 

“I wasn’t sure about the series because I believe that once our helmets are on, you can’t tell the difference between men and women, so why should females be put in separate classes,” Whitley said.

“However, after doing the research, I realised what the series is doing for females in motor sport and how it’s helping drivers come through the ranks around the world.

“The series is investing lots of money and it’s an awesome opportunity for all drivers, so I applied knowing I was doing it for the right reasons.

“Thankfully I got in which is fantastic and I suppose it was a combination of good fortune and skill that got me accepted, I see it as the harder I worked the luckier I got.”

Whitley made a traditionally late start to her motor sport career at 16-yeas-old in Karting, where she would go on to win the Australian Ladies National title seven times.

After eventually taking a break from Karting, the Queenslander attended a ladies-only test day at Queensland Raceway where she was assigned a mentor in Heather Spurle, who 12 months later would offer her a seat in a series in New Zealand.  

Whitley made the difficult move across the Tasman and became a regular driver in the SsangYong Racing Series, as well as the Ford GT40 series and graduating the New Zealand Elite Motorsport Academy Graduate in 2016. 

The change of scenery has paid dividends for Whitley who now competes as a regular driver in New Zealand’s V8 Utes series, with the 25-year-old now hoping to add another big category to her resume.

“It’s pretty cool and exciting to be accepted into the W-Series qualifying,” Whitley added.

“As awesome as the accolade is of being named in the top-50, for me the goal is to make the next cut - I really want to make it through to the next stage.

“However I am realistic and whatever happens, happens, I still plan to go racing no matter the end result. 

“I have already been racing in New Zealand and had my eyes set on the Dunlop series but it would be really great to make it to the next level in this particular series.” 

Despite being accepted into the program three weeks after her competition and being with a slight disadvantage, Whitley said her preparation would be no different to her counterparts.

 “It hasn’t really worried me that I have had less preparation time compared to everyone else,” Whitley explained.

“I have really only had three to four weeks to prepare, but I was already in season for the racing I am doing in New Zealand so I’ve already been working hard.

“I have done extra things on top of the Ute series which include a little bit of media training and a lot of more running than usual as there will be fitness testing.” 

The inaugural W Series will continue its selection process on 25-27 January in Australia with the season to begin in Hockenheim in Germany on 3 May, 2019.