Key milestone for officials at Townsville doubleheader

The recent Townsville doubleheader marked a significant milestone for officials of the Repco Supercars Championship.

The consecutive events saw nine women feature in leadership roles at the Reid Park Street Circuit.

The women brought several decades of experience in motorsport operations in both trackside and administration positions.

According to Dr Karyn Lun, who was Chief Medical Officer for both Townsville events, it was further demonstration of how female participation in motorsport has progressed since her first involvement in 1993.

"Back 28 years ago women were very thin on the ground," Lun told Supercars.com.

"There weren’t many females both on and off track, where there are a few more now.

"In officiating there always been fairly more females in administration side, but I’ve certainly noticed over the years that more females are being encouraged to climb the ladder.

"It’s really nice to see more and more women being promoted and going through the ranks, and know the opportunity is open to them."

Back row, left to right: Catherine McHugh, Chanelle Fryer, Berenice Stratton, Helen Voysey, Judy Evans. Back row, left to right: Karyn Lun, Hannah Holloway, Kimberley Hughes, Leigh Evans.

Joining Lun in trackside leadership roles for the events were Chanelle Fryer (Chief Fire & Rescue) and Leigh Evans (Chief Flag Marshal).

Communications were overseen by Catherine McHugh (Chief Communications), Berenice Stratton (Safety Car Communicator) and Judy Evans (Course Car Communicator).

In race control were Hannah Holloway (Secretary of the Event), Kimberly Hughes (Deputy Secretary of the Event) and Helen Voysey (Assistant Clerk of Course).

Lun, who has volunteered across grassroots categories and Supercars events for almost three decades, explained her motivation to see more women involved in motorsport.

"It’s all about the friendships that you create over the years," she said.

"You get involved because it’s fun to be involved in something that’s bigger than you.

"Being a volunteer is really rewarding but it’s the relationships that you build with other officials and being a part of the events and logistics behind it that keep it going.

"It's important to connect women within the sport and encourage anyone that is already there to do it and more women to do it.

"You don’t have to be competing, there are other ways to be involved.

"It’s important to show many other credible options from officiating to being a team member, an engineer and other various roles."

If you are interested in being a marshal or a volunteer at a Supercars event, please visit https://www.supercars.com/event-race-officials/apply-now/