“Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be officiating at an international grand prix event. Receiving the news was a surreal feeling. I needed to see the tickets for it to be real in my mind.”
These are the words of an ecstatic Lynne Bright (59) from Kariega, who grabbed the opportunity offered by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Women in Motorsport and FIA Volunteers and Official Commissions, to women all over the world to be part of the 2022 FIA Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix Race Officials recruitment exchange programme.
Lynne made the shortlist and eventually was one of only 24 women across the world, and the only one from South Africa, who was accepted.
According to Lynne she will have a Women in Motorsport personal mentor who will assist her in experiencing every aspect of how the entire grand prix is run.
“It is a wonderful opportunity. I am going to learn as much as I can, to bring back valuable information to pass on and share with especially the younger generation women to encourage them to be involved in motorsport and to open new avenues of thought.
“We’ve been told that the schedule is very gruelling. But what I am looking forward to the most is to see how they operate in the race office and to learn from this memorable experience.”
The women will undergo a safety course before being allocated to a trackside position. They will also have the opportunity of being a flag marshal, an observer and track marshals on top of experiencing some pitlane action. Through this unique and enjoyable experience, the women will return to their respective home countries to further develop their officiating skills while being local ambassadors for Women in Motorsport.
Motorsport is in her blood
Lynne serves as the event secretary at Aldo Scribante Raceway, a position she heads after years of supporting racing of her husband Sparky Bright and in later years the racing of their sons Chassen and Daniel.
“It all started when Chassen was still racing karts. There was a shortage of officials, and it was a case of jump in and help so that racing could carry on. The rest was a case of going from strength to strength to where racing and officiating are now our livelihood.”
Ashwin Harri, SA Board member and chairman of Algoa Motorsport Club congratulated Lynne on this amazing achievement and wished her all the success at the event.
“Women in Motorsport are one of the levers to keeping the sport relevant worldwide. We as the promoters, administrators and competitors of the sport have a responsibility to provide actively these opportunities,” said Harri.
Sparky, owner of Bright’s Motorsport and Aldo Scribante Raceway event organiser, joked and said he has now been promoted as Lynne’s PR. “But it is absolutely amazing. They picked one woman from South Africa, and she is from Uitenhage. Chassen thought he was lucky to be offered a job at Hyundai Motorsport in Germany now his mother is ahead of him … going to Formula 1!”
“Lynne has supported me and the boys (Chassen and Daniel) through all the years of racing. It is her opportunity now to enjoy the experience of being at the highest level of motorsport.
“Motorsport SA has also stated that if the grand prix comes to South Africa, Lynne had better know that she will be needed there,” said Sparky.
According to Chassen, who currently is based in Alzenau, Germany, at Hyundai Motorsport customer racing division, it is an absolutely wonderful opportunity for his mother.
“We are all so very proud and happy for her to have this opportunity especially after all she has done for my two siblings, my father and me. Throughout my career in motorsport, I have never seen another woman so passionate about motorsport as my mom,” said Chassen.
“It’s her turn and the timing could not have been better with the chance that Max can win the championship in Singapore. She will have a front row seat.”
Night race and Verstappen
Owing to the extreme heat, the Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit is a night race.
“The circuit will be floodlit and apparently, I must wear sunglasses for protection against the brightness of the lights. For the drivers it’s not unlike being out on a circuit at day.”
Asked whether Lynne has ever been behind the steering wheel of a racing car she replied: “Not at all. I have no desire. I am a behind the scenes person. However, I did navigate for Sparky way back when he was involved in rallies in Swaziland. I was good, even though my driver sometimes would not listen to me and we one day ended up on top of pineapples!”
According to Lynne they will be at the Singapore circuit from Thursday, 29 September to Sunday, 2 October between 11:00 and 22:00 each day. She will be departing on 26 September to Johannesburg and then heads off via Dubai to Singapore.
“I will be there to work. And racers’ privacy is to be respected, that is something that FIA is very stern about. My favourite racer has always been David Coulthard, but if I am lucky enough, I would like to see Max Verstappen in real life!”
