Growing up in a motorhead household, being involved in motorsport was always a destination that Nyoaki Pearce was going to end up in – it was just a matter of when.
 
Born and raised in Newcastle, just five minutes from where the Supercars Championship held its Newcastle 500 for a handful of years, Pearce and her family loved watching Formula 1 and Supercars, both live and on TV.   
 
But it wasn’t until earlier this decade when she decided that to get a better Formula 1 experience than attending as a spectator, being a Motorsport Australia official was the next best step.
 
In the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix’s grand return after two years of COVID-19, Pearce finally got her chance to attend the event in an official capacity.  
 
Taking on the role of spectator marshal, the then 19-year-old instantly fell in love with the experience and committed to returning in 2023, for which she was upgraded to a track marshal.
 
In 2024, Pearce will once again hold the position of track marshal and will undoubtedly enjoy every minute of it.
 
“Since joining in 2022, it’s been an incredible journey and I am grateful to be able to come back each year,” Pearce said.
 
“Coming in as a 19-year-old girl, I was a bit scared that people were going to be a bit iffy towards me, but everyone was so welcoming. It’s just a friendly and fun environment.
 
“Everyone part of the marshal team at the Australian Grand Prix is here to have a good time and I guess it’s a good way to have a path into working in motorsport, which is something I would be interested in.
 
“Last year was my second event and first as a track marshal. I was based at turn three, where there was a lot of action, especially in Formula 2 where there were a few crashes. I am not going to say it was too fun, but it was nice to be part of the action.
 
“I’ve also had a really good sector and have built some really strong friendships. I’ve caught up with lots of the fellow marshals before coming here this weekend so I’m going to keep coming back each year as I love it. It’s wonderful.”
 
Having had two years of experience as a marshal at Albert Park, Pearce now has intentions to head to other events and continue being a Motorsport Australia official – including at this year’s Repco Bathurst 1000.
 
And while she will look at switching back to a spectator at a Grand Prix here and there in the future, the perks that come with volunteering at motorsport events far outweigh those as a fan.
 
“Obviously when you’re attending as a spectator, you have that freedom to be able to go to different corners and explore the track a bit more, but you’re just so close to the action as a marshal.” Pearce added.
 
“For me, one of the biggest highlights is that you can interact with the drivers a little bit more during the parade – in fact I had a little chat with Alex Albon last year, which was fun.
 
“However, you are also part of the making the actual race work – like it can’t happen without marshals as we help regulate the main safety regulations that are happening, and I guess it’s cool to just be a part of it in a way.
 
“Being an official is such a good experience and I definitely recommend it for everyone – it is truly awesome, and I can’t wait to do more.”
 
Get more information about how be a Motorsport Australia volunteer official