Girls on Track soaks up the action in Sandown
More than 50 young girls keen to get involved in motorsport have been given the opportunity to get up close to the Repco Supercars Championship, with the FIA Girls on Track program held at Sandown International Raceway.
For girls aged eight to 18, the free event ran on the opening day of Supercars action at the Melbourne venue.
Friday morning’s ‘Inspire’ program saw the group take part in simulator and pit stop challenges, as well as STEM exercises and other motorsport-based activities.
The afternoon ‘Pathways’ session hosted more than 20 young adults, aimed at inspiring 15 – 22-year-olds to pursue career pathways in the motorsport industry.
FIA Girls on Track ambassadors and champions facilitated the event, including Australian Rally Champion Molly Taylor, Triple Eight Race Engineering co-owner Jess Dane and SuperUte driver Ellexandra Best.
It comes after the program visited Sydney Motorsport Park in 2021, when Supercars contested consecutive weekends at the Eastern Creek venue.
Held while the Supercars field are contesting the ninth round of the season, the girls completed a tour of the Erebus Motorsport garage and spoke with the engineering team.
"It's such an amazing experience to see all of these young girls come here," Taylor said.
"Some of these girls have never been to a race track before and for them to experience behind the scenes and see the lightbulbs go off and their eyes widen when they discover all the things we love about this sport.
"To be able to see that happen and be in that moment, it really special and we know we are helping girls to feel confident to pursue something in this sport whether its mechanic, engineers, drivers, or media personnel, we get the full spectrum."
"It's been absolutely amazing, I've loved every second of it," Girls on Tack attendee, Nakiya said.
"I want to be involved in the organising and hospitality side of motorsport, I love motorsport altogether.
"I've loved it since I was young, so I want to go back to my roots."
In Australia, the program is backed by Motorsport Australia and Driving Solutions, offering girls a unique opportunity to participate in the free Girls on Track events.
Programs are run across the country with 4 more events planned throughout 2022.
For more information head to https://www.motorsport.org.au/events/girlsontrack
Supercars will return to New Zealand on September 9-11. Purchase your ITM Auckland SuperSprint tickets now.
