From the racetrack to the runway, Miss Durham GB 2026 is challenging stereotypes and showing that there is more to pageantry than meets the eye.
But what happens when you enter a competition determined to make a difference, only to discover that the outcome isn’t quite what you had hoped for?
For Nicole Hanson, the answer is simple: you keep showing up, stay true to yourself and realise that winning isn’t always about coming first.
At the Miss Great Britain final, Nicole drove away with the Public Choice Award, voted for by the public online, and secured a place in the Top 16 for Talent, showcasing her love of motorsport through her Abarth and her experience at Prescott Hill Climb.
Although she didn’t secure an overall placement, Nicole’s journey was about something bigger than a crown. Living with hypermobility, she faced the physical challenges of long rehearsals and walking in heels, pushing through sore joints while refusing to let her condition stop her from taking part.
But Nicole also had another mission: changing public perception of what a pageant girl can be.
She’s a car girl, a motorsport enthusiast and an administrator within the North East Abarth community. Through her involvement in the automotive world and the creation of the Abarth Track Sisterhood, she’s helping bring women together in a traditionally male-dominated space.
By taking that identity onto a national pageant stage, Nicole challenged the idea that women must fit a particular mould to belong. You can love performance cars and glamorous gowns. You can champion important causes and still enjoy the spotlight. You can face physical challenges and continue to pursue your ambitions.
With three months of her reign still ahead, Nicole isn’t quite ready to park the crown just yet! Her Miss Durham GB journey continues until January, and she’s looking forward to making the most of the time she has left.
As the finish line approaches, there’s a bittersweet feeling. She may not have achieved the overall placement she hoped for, but she leaves the experience with the Public Choice Award, a Top 16 talent achievement and the knowledge that she stayed true to herself.
And she’s already excited to see who will become the next Miss Durham GB, hoping they will take the title in their own direction and continue making a difference.
Because sometimes, success isn’t about winning the race. It’s about changing the track for those who follow.
For now, the engine is still running, the sash is still on, and Nicole has three more months to make her mark. 🏎️💙
