Paula Cook
Paula Cook | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 2, 1969 Rotherham, England |
| Occupation | Racing driver |
| Years active | 1994–2004 |
| Known for | British Touring Car Championship competitor; first female driver to contest a full BTCC season (1999) |
Paula Cook (born 2 November 1969) is a British motor racing competitor recognized for her participation as an independent driver in the British Touring Car Championship representing the family-operated DC Cook Motorsports. Following the passing of her father in 2005, she assumed control of the family’s DC Cook Direct dealership until it ceased operations in 2009.
Early career
Originating from Rotherham, Cook launched her motorsport journey in 1994, taking part in both the Formula Vauxhall Junior and its Winter Series, where she secured second place overall in the latter. She advanced to the British Formula Renault Championship, marking a milestone as the first woman to claim pole position in an international event. Between 1996 and 1998, she competed in the British Formula 3 Championship. In 1997, Cook represented the factory Nissan team at the RAC Tourist Trophy.
BTCC
In the concluding stages of the 1998 British Touring Car Championship season, Cook participated in the last four rounds driving a Honda Accord for her father’s DC Cook Motorsport Team. She intended to contest the entire 1999 season, becoming the first female driver to do so. Although starting strongly, her campaign ended prematurely after round 16 when financial constraints forced her team to withdraw.
Throughout 20 BTCC race entries, she accumulated 3 points and achieved two victories in the Independents cup races.
Later career
Post-BTCC, Cook competed in the Lotus Elise Championship and the SEAT Cupra Championship. In 2002, she took part in a single ASCAR event at Rockingham. Returning to the SEAT Cupra Championship in 2003, she later joined the Morgan Works Race Team for two rounds of the FIA GT Championship.
In 2004, Cook drove a Chevrolet Corvette C5R for Embassy Racing in the British GT Championship, following a stint in the Porsche Supercup.
Personal life
Paula hails from a family deeply involved in racing—her father, Derek, was active as a driver during the 1970s. Her brother David secured victory in the 1996 British Formula Renault series. Her nephew Jake competed in the 2013 Formula Renault UK series with Paula managing his racing career. After her father’s fatal car accident in 2005, she took over management of their family-run DC Cook Direct dealership franchise until its liquidation in 2009.
Complete British Touring Car Championship results
(key) (Races shown in bold denote pole position - awarding 1 point per race) (Races displayed in italics indicate fastest lap) (* Indicates that the driver led at least one lap of the feature race - awarding 1 point)
| Year | Team | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | Pos | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | DC Cook Motorsport | Honda Accord | THR 1 |
THR 2 |
SIL 1 |
SIL 2 |
DON 1 |
DON 2 |
BRH 1 |
BRH 2 |
OUL 1 |
OUL 2 |
DON 1 |
DON 2 |
CRO 1 |
CRO 2 |
SNE 1 |
SNE 2 |
THR 1 |
THR 2 |
KNO 1 |
KNO 2 |
BRH 1 |
BRH 2 |
OUL 1 16 |
OUL 2 13 |
SIL 1 16 |
SIL 2 12 |
24th | 0 |
| 1999 | DC Cook Motorsport | Honda Accord | DON 1 14 |
DON 2 Ret |
SIL 1 Ret |
SIL 2 9 |
THR 1 Ret |
THR 2 13 |
BRH 1 10 |
BRH 2 "Ret" |
Complete Porsche Supercup results
(key) (Races highlighted in bold denote pole position; events shown in italics represent fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Vehicle | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Final Position | Points Scored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Tolimit Motorsport | Porsche 996 GT3 | ITA1 | ESP | AUT | MON Retired |
GER1 | FRA | GBR 24† |
GER2 | HUN | ITA2 | USA1 | USA2 | NC‡ | 0‡ |
† – Classified despite not finishing (completed more than 90% of race distance). ‡ – Competed as a guest driver, thus ineligible for championship points.