This Kesgrave teenager is not your average 17-year-old – by day, she is studying for her A-levels, but in her spare time, she is storming national motorsport championships.

Ipswich Star: Lydia Walmsley standing next to her Mini Cooper at a sunny day at the track. Picture: MARC WALLER/MW MOTORSPORT MEDIALydia Walmsley standing next to her Mini Cooper at a sunny day at the track. Picture: MARC WALLER/MW MOTORSPORT MEDIA (Image: MW Motorsport Media)

Lydia Walmsley, a pupil at Kesgrave High School, is making waves for women in sport as a Mini Cooper racing driver - travelling up and down the country to race on famous circuits such as Brands Hatch, Silverstone and local track Snetterton - dividing her time between her dream career and her exams.

Often the only woman on the track, Lydia is used to adrenalin-pumping thrills as she reaches speeds of 100mph - she has been racing against fully grown men since the age of 16. Last year was her first season in her Mini, and she was the only girl competing - something her sponsors say makes her an inspiration to other women.

"I do it for the adrenaline - it's such a great feeling," said Lydia, who started her career in motorsport before she was old enough to drive a car legally on the road.

"We girls are just as good as the boys and there's no reason why we shouldn't make it as well. I just love the sport, it's a huge part of my life now, and always has been."

Ipswich Star: Lyda Walmsley standing next to her Mini Cooper on a sunny day at the track. Picture: MARC WALLER/MW MOTORSPORT MEDIALyda Walmsley standing next to her Mini Cooper on a sunny day at the track. Picture: MARC WALLER/MW MOTORSPORT MEDIA (Image: MW Motorsport Media)

Lydia is hopeful that the future of racing will have more women taking part. She actively encourages young girls to get involved. The 17-year-old said: "There are more women on the track now than when I started, and there is actually one other woman who is doing the upcoming championships, so it's really nice to see. I have been racing boys since I started and I don't think they enjoy being beaten by a girl but they have got used to it."

And while her fellow A-level students may be worrying about what their futures will hold, Lydia is already committed to a career in the driver's seat.

She added: "When I finish school I'm planning to get my instructor's licence from the Association of Racing Driver Schools so that I can go to races and sit in the cars with drivers and instruct them. I am really lucky that I'm so passionate about this sport and that I can make a career out of it."

Lydia will compete in the final round of the Mini Challenge UK next weekend at Snetterton on Saturday, October 19.

Ipswich Star: Lydia Walmsley standing next to her Mini Cooper on a sunny day at the track. Picture: MARC WALLER/MW MOTORSPORT MEDIALydia Walmsley standing next to her Mini Cooper on a sunny day at the track. Picture: MARC WALLER/MW MOTORSPORT MEDIA (Image: MW Motorsport Media)

She hopes to retain her current third placing and podium again for a grand finish to her season as the youngest driver in the series. And next time around? She wants to return with some A-Levels!

Ipswich Star: Lydia Walmsley taking a selfie with her Mini Cooper at the track. Picture: MARC WALLER/MW MOTORSPORT MEDIALydia Walmsley taking a selfie with her Mini Cooper at the track. Picture: MARC WALLER/MW MOTORSPORT MEDIA (Image: MW Motorsport Media)

Ipswich Star: Lydia Walmsley cruising round the track in her Mini Cooper. Picture: MARC WALLER/MW MOTORSPORT MEDIALydia Walmsley cruising round the track in her Mini Cooper. Picture: MARC WALLER/MW MOTORSPORT MEDIA (Image: MW Motorsport Media)

Ipswich Star: Lydia Walmsley on the podium next to two of her male competitors. Picture: DAVE YOUNG/DAVE YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHICSLydia Walmsley on the podium next to two of her male competitors. Picture: DAVE YOUNG/DAVE YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHICS (Image: DAVE YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHICS)