Vicky Butler-Henderson, a renowned personality in the world of racing and television, grew up in a family deeply rooted in the culture of motorsports. Her upbringing on the family farm in Cambridge, England, provided a unique environment that fostered her passion for racing from a young age.
Her grandfather's involvement with the Frazer Nash at Brooklands and her father's participation in the British karting team instilled in her a love for racing that would only continue to grow as she matured. Her brother Charlie, also a racing driver, shares her passion, while her older sister Charlotte is the only member of her immediate family not involved in the sport.
Vicky's racing career began at the tender age of 12, when she started competing in karting events, including a race featuring David Coulthard. She went on to spend several years competing around Britain before transitioning to a career as a racing instructor at prestigious circuits such as Brands Hatch and Silverstone. Her experience as an instructor also took her to Knockhill in Scotland, where she spent a year living and working.
Throughout her career, Vicky has competed in various series, including Formula First and the 2000 Pentel Ginetta Championship. She has also participated in a wide range of events, such as the Porsche Cup, Radicals, the Speyside Stages Rally, a combine harvester race, a 24-hour 2CV race, and two occasions as a navigator for ITV's Formula One pit reporter Louise Goodman in the Rallye Sunseeker. In 2001, she even had the opportunity to race a Honda Formula Four-Stroke speedboat off the coast of France.
One of the most notable highlights of her racing career was winning the Maserati Trofeo race alongside her co-driver and fellow journalist, Matthew Marsh. This historic achievement made her the first woman ever to win a race in a Maserati, a moment she described as one of the best of her life.
In addition to her racing career, Vicky made her television debut in 1994, racing a Ford Fiesta at Brands Hatch in a one-off piece for BBC2's Top Gear. She went on to become a regular presenter on the show from 1997 to 2001, during which time she also presented Top Gear GTI for UK Horizons. A year later, she joined the team at five's new Fifth Gear programme, where she worked alongside fellow presenters Tiff Needell, Jason Plato, and Tom Ford. She also provided coverage of the BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) for ITV.
Beyond her presenting work, Vicky is a successful journalist who has written for various publications, including Car Mechanics magazine, Carweek magazine, Auto Express magazine, and What Car?. She was also instrumental in launching Max Power magazine and was a regular contributor to Top Gear Magazine. Her writing has appeared in national newspapers such as The Daily Telegraph and The Times.
