Introducing Frances Buckley

Age : 25
Occupation : Volkswagen Tech
Location : Christchurch

First of all do you mind telling us a little bit about yourself?
I live in a little town called Oxford. I went to Oxford Area school, I have a younger brother, who is a mechanic too. I’m not all about cars, My 1st passion is horses, I compete in eventing which I love, haha the car always comes 2nd to my horses

When did you first get involved in the car scene/motorsport?
I think that would be when I got back from working overseas with horses (which is all I wanted to do when I was at school) and realised there was no money in horse jobs, so my next interest I had was cars, so went and did my pre trade and things just went from there.

What made you decide to enter you first show?
I just had my Mazda painted and just wanted to show it of, I remember spending nights on end cleaning her up

Can you tell us a little bit more about DCEVEN? (When did it all start?)
I got her just not long after I got back from overseas I think I was 19 at the time, I brought her off a guy in Timaru after about 6 months, My Dad and I sanded her down and gave her, her 1st paint job, I loved it. Then after attending some shows and dreaming of one day entering I decided it was time for a proper pain job. After that we did our 1st show 4nRotas 2005 had so much fun so entered in my next show that was in Dunedin and took out Best Paint and also Best Girls Car. Things just went from there. In 2006 4nRotas we won Best Mazda, 2006 Autosalon won Mazda Champion and Best Illumination, 2007 4nRotas won Best Mazda and 2007 Autosalon won best illumination.

When you first started your apprenticeship, Did you have any difficulties?
No not really, the biggest difficulty I found was finding someone to take on a female, it was about 2 years after I did my pre trade course that I managed to get a job.

What about being a female in a male dominated industry?
I work with a great bunch of guys, so it’s great I’m just one of the boys....but there are a lot of sexist people in the industry, but you just ignore them and get on with what you want to do and achieve.

Also rumour has it you have recently joined a pit crew for a NZ V8 team, are you able to tell us a bit more about how that came about?
Yes I’ve been very lucky and been given the chance to help out a race team, big thanks to Steve who got me involved, I’m learning heaps and I’m loving it. I’ve been helping out the AV8 team, working mainly on Boothys car, but also help out on Paul’s when needed.



What is a quote that you live by or believe in?
Just be straight up and honest

Any advice for like minded woman wanting to give it a go?
You just need to get out there, and show some interest, someone out there will give you a chance and take that chance with both hands and show them what you got!!

What is your favourite make or model of car?
Black Evo 7, R32 Golf

When you not doing anything car orientated where would we find you?
You will find me out with my horses



What plans do you have for the future?
I'd like to get more involved with motorsport scene hopefully maybe work full time for a race team

If you could name three things you couldn't live without what would they be?
Horses, Friends, Family

With the current media releases happening throughout New Zealand what do you see happening in the scene in the future?
I’m not really sure what will happen, but if people don’t start pulling there heads in a lot of people will miss out

What do you believe is your biggest achievement to date?
Haha now that’s a tough one, I’ve got a couple. I think the 1st one would be being the top VW apprentice in NZ 2006, and then in 2007 and 2008 I was still an apprentice but competed as a tech and got 7th (2007) and 5th(2008) in NZ.

Is there anybody you would like to take the opportunity to thank?
All my friends and Family, Steve and the rest of the guys at AV8

Thanks very much for your time today Frances and from the Team at Wheels and Heels we wish you the best of Luck for the future.