Hollie is proving that dedication and passion can drive success both on and off the track.
Hollie is a multiple national and European junior drag bike champion, she balances elite-level racing with outstanding performance at college, consistently achieving high attendance and excellent IMI exam results.
Her commitment to the industry has also been recognised with the prestigious Fellowship of the Motor Industry Bursary, awarding £2,000 to support her continued personal and professional development.
Read her story:
Can you tell us about your career journey? What inspired you to join the automotive industry?
I have been involved in drag racing from a young age spending a lot of time around my brother and other racers, watching them not only race but also fix their vehicles in limited time slots.
I then started racing myself at the age of 11, learning how to maintain my own bike and also understanding how the engine works.
Throughout my 5 years of racing, I have learnt how to not only win, but also lose. I have grown a good understanding of good sportsmanship which I believe is a key part of motorsport.
Have you faced any challenges on your journey, and how have you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing racing with my education, especially during exam periods when I’ve had to make sure my education never suffered.
My racing journey itself has also been a learning curve. I started at 11 years old without knowing how to ride a bike, beginning on a 150cc automatic and progressing to racing a fully built 1300cc Hayabusa engine.
There have been setbacks along the way, including mechanical breakages that meant missing qualifiers, but overcoming those challenges and going on to win events has been rewarding.
How do you think being shortlisted for an IMI Award will help you with your career?
Being shortlisted for an IMI Award shows how hard-working perseverance has positive outcomes.
This gives me confidence that I have been recognised not only for my work in college, but as a female racer in a male dominated sport. This will help me push forward in the future knowing anything is achievable if I set my mind to it.
