Driver on track for beauty contest

A teenage car racing champion has reached the finals of Miss Nottingham 2010. Emily Crosby, 17, of Cromwell Road, Whatton, is one of 30 finalists hoping to be crowned Miss Nottingham on Sunday.

Emily, who has raced since the age of 14, became the East Midlands and Pennine Club class one Ladies’ Autograss Racing Champion last year.

“Everyone assumes that because you’re a racer, you don’t look after yourself so it’s great to prove them wrong by getting this far in a beauty competition,” she said.

Urged on by her family, who always told her she should be a model, Emily put herself forward and sent in her photograph.

The competition organisers, ModelZed, called her for an audition before putting her through to the final.

“I’m really happy and excited about the final and my friends think it’s really cool,” said Emily.

“There’s a catwalk that you have to walk down in a ball dress and then in a clubbing outfit.

“If you reach the last ten you have an interview where you are able to show your personality.

“I want to show that it’s not all about looks.”

After watching her older brother, Daniel, build and race Minis, Emily was spurred on to have a go on the track herself and has never looked back.

Her mother, Mrs Stella Crosby, said: “I’m very proud of her.

“On a Sunday she’s covered in mud from head to foot then she likes to transform herself into a girl.”

Emily, who is studying for A-levels at Toot Hill College, Bingham, is also taking a nail technology course at South Notts College.

“I want to go into law but I’ve always wanted to do part-time modelling.

“I never really had the confidence until now,” she said.

As part of the competition Emily, who is sponsored by Lymn Luxury Vehicle Hire, had to raise money for Rainbow Children’s Hospice. To date she has raised £400.

The winner of Sunday’s final will compete for the title of Miss England. The Miss England winner will represent the UK in the Miss World 2010 competition due to be held in Vietnam.