Britain's Pioneering Black Female Race Team Owner Revealed in New Documentary

A new documentary is set to launch on sports broadcaster TNT to showcase the work of Carol Glenn, who is Britain’s first Black, female motorsports official. The short film follows Glenn through the launch of her new Formula Ford team, Next Generation Racing, which saw her become the country’s first woman of colour to launch a race team.

Directed by filmmaker Daisy Ifama, Set Pace is the first in a new series of three short films as part of a joint initiative from TNT Sports Reframe the Game and the Warner Bros Discovery Access development programme. The series aims to highlight the untold stories of women in sport.

Previously, Ifama has helmed several documentaries focusing on issues like police violence in London and mental health. Her most recent project brings attention to Glenn’s pioneering role within her industry and chronicles the formation of her new group, Next Generation Racing.

"[Daisy] had conducted her investigation, she examined what I was up to. She realized there was a tale worth telling," Glenn explained to .

Especially these days, I believe it is crucial since I represent people of Black and Brown backgrounds, and they have few role models. Apart from perhaps Lewis Hamilton, there aren’t many individuals who are visibly present.

I've often seen myself as someone working behind the scenes, but over the past few years, interacting with students in schools and universities has made me realize that many of them turn to Google to discover people in the industry. Now, I understand that I have become that recognizable figure for them.

The film, which is available to stream on TNT Sports and discovery+, follows Glenn’s story as she manages her team over a race weekend in Silverstone It underscores the hurdles and subtle biases she encounters over a single weekend, while also exploring the roots of Next Generation Racing.

"I have spent 37 years in motor racing, and back then my aim was not to break any records or push through any boundaries," Glenn stated.

Photo by: WBD

“I just did it because I was interested, I really loved being around cars.

“When I started off as a marshal, I was the first person of colour, and I didn’t know that at the time.

“Being around in the space and realising that there was nobody else like me around. There was very, very few.

“Now, I really want to try and change that to make sure we’re not always talking about the first and the only, it should just be normal conversations going on.”

After the movie's debut, it garnered favorable critiques, including praise from TNT Sports commentator Suzi Perry, who remarked that it portrays Glenn as "an incredible individual."

"She became the first African-American official in British motorsports and is now the first Black woman to lead a team in the UK racing scene. I genuinely believe she will excel, and I'm confident that she will," Perry stated.

She's an inspiring figure. People, especially young women and notably young Black women, will find motivation through her story. When you encounter someone relatable who excels, it creates opportunities and makes success seem achievable.

The filmmaker mentioned that she drew inspiration from Carol's unwavering determination and persistence throughout her 37-year journey in motorsports. Ifama expressed hope that the short film would act as a model for the sport's upcoming era.

“Ifama emphasized, ‘I hope individuals can recognize a part of themselves in Carol’s journey and feel motivated to continue the struggle, undeterred by challenges, and become the catalyst for the transformation they desire in their world.’”

As Carol states in the movie, 'the only way I can envision change occurring is by making it happen.'