Historic appointment a 'massive' moment for women in motorsport
Kaye Callandar steps in as Deputy Race Director for Darwin round
Callandar first woman to form part of Supercars event senior leadership team
Callandar’s officiating career began at Amaroo Park back in 1993
This weekend’s betr Darwin Triple Crown marks a “massive” moment for women in motorsport, according to long-time official Kaye Callandar.
The experienced official makes history in Darwin, becoming the first woman to form part of a Supercars Championship event senior leadership team.
Callandar steps in as Deputy Race Director this weekend, with usual DRD David Mori on overseas duties at the FIA TCR World Tour in Italy.
While Darwin is Callandar’s first event in the senior team, she is no stranger to Supercars circles, first running Clerk of the Course at Sydney and Newcastle events.
Callandar could be in the hot seat come Saturday afternoon, with Darwin set to host two thrilling, action-packed Supercars sprint races.
Speaking on the broadcast, Callandar said: " It's taken a lot of work and it's taken a lot of commitment, but it's just been amazing to be given this opportunity.
“The role of Deputy Race Director to support the Race Director with the administration at the race. So, I'll be working closely with James Taylor, Craig Baird and Dave Stuart and the Clerk of the Course.
"It gets pretty busy. There's a lot of things to look at. There's a lot of things to review, but it's enjoyable. It's great.”
Callandar’s officiating career began at Sydney’s Amaroo Park back in 1993, when the V8 era began.
From flag marshalling to communications, emergency coordination to Clerk of the Course, Callandar has seen it all trackside, and believes her latest appointment is a seminal moment for women in motorsport.
"I started back in '93 at Amaroo Park. I did a lot of trackside work with flag marshalling, communications,” Callandar said.
"I worked my way into Race Control and did a lot of communications work in there. Did Emergency Coordinator in Bathurst, and worked my way up and was given the opportunity to be a Clerk of the Course for Supercars at Sydney and Newcastle.
"It's massive. We've got a lot of females here working trackside, every race meeting, and they all give up their time, and they all give up their family time, their work, et cetera, and come out and do it."
