Girls on Track races to Canberra

Posted on 23 February, 2022

Reshaping the landscape of motorsport and empowering young women to go into technology fields, Girls on Track has been in every major Australian city, except for Canberra. Until now.

On Friday 1 April, Girls on Track will transform Sutton Road Driver Training Centre into a celebration of engineering, technology, and motorsport as it finally races to the capital. 

Initially launched by former Formula 1 development driver Susie Wolff as ‘Dare To Be Different’, Girls on Track is a non-for-profit program backed by Motorsports Australia that aims to inspire women to participate in all aspects of motorsport. 

Thanks to local technology company Netier (who is funding the whole event) girls aged 8 to 14 will have a unique opportunity to participate in the free program. 

By reshaping the landscape of the sport and showcasing the range of opportunities that exist, Girls on Track aims to increase the participation of women to spark change in the industry. 

According to Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca, the Canberra event isn’t about finding future Formula 1 drivers but providing insight into the different aspects of the sport. 

“The STEM subjects are a big part of this, and could lead young girls to consider careers they might not have before, such as in motorsport engineering,” he says. 

“There are also other career paths available, such as working in the media, marketing, or commercial side of the sport. Of course, those who are eager to get into the sport as a driver can also learn a lot from this program, particularly from our many driver ambassadors who are doing great things in motorsport.”

As the first Girls on Track event in Canberra, it coincides with the Netier National Capital Rally—the first round of the RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship—which attracts the best rally drivers and crews from around Australia.

The Rally has been running since 1995 but Netier Marketing and HR Manager Jess Scanes has been working to bring Girls on Track to the capital for three years. 

“Girls on Track started around 2018 in Europe, and then it got to Australia and it’s been in every single big city in Australia except Canberra. So for me, it was one of those things that was a bit ridiculous…And that’s why we stepped up,” she explains. 

“I just feel that girls in our Canberra schools need to know opportunities in these fields are there, especially at the moment.”

With a rich history of female Formula 1 competitors in the Canberra Rally (including Girls On Track Ambassador Molly Taylor and her mother Coral Taylor, who won four national titles as co-driver in the 1990s and early 2000), for Jess, the importance of this program is to help show there are opportunities in male-dominated industries—no matter your interests. 

“It’s important because there isn’t anything else like it. When I was at school, I never would have imagined considering an opportunity in engineering or IT. Not because I didn’t think it was something I couldn’t do, it just wasn’t promoted as an opportunity,” she says. 

“That’s a real shame because the technology industry needs more females in it to give different perspectives on ideas and ways of thinking. The industry needs diversity to flourish even further.”

The event will see Triple Eight co-owner and Australian Rally Championship TV co-host, Jessica Dane in attendance, alongside Carsales senior reporter Nadine Armstrong and Australian V8 Supercar Driver Emily Duggan. 

While the exact activities for Girls on Track Canberra are still to be confirmed, attendees can expect to enjoy plenty of variety, including STEM challenges, fitness and reaction challenges, a simulator challenge, and a media workshop. 

“The workshops are not just about driving,” says Eugene. “It’s a wide variety of activities designed to give attendees their first taste of motorsport, or provide further insight into a spot they may already be passionate about.”

“There’s plenty of other motorsport happening in and around Canberra year-round, so there are many ways for young girls to get involved. We hope the Girls On Track program in March can be the first step in the journey for many who attend.”

Tailored to suit school-aged girls, registration is now open for anyone wishing to participate. Girls on Track and Motorsports Australia is also interested to hear from any schools that would like to bring a class along to expose them to the unique opportunities on offer.  

“If you don’t know that there are opportunities out there, you’re not going to question it, you’re not going to look for them. You just kind of assume,” says Jess. 

“[Girls on Track] is educating. You might not like it, it might not be right for you, but it is an opportunity, that as a woman you can go for.” 

To register email girlsontrack@motorsport.org.au 

Images supplied.