The FIA Girls on Track program has continued its 2021 schedule in style with Tasmania hosting the latest event at Riverside High School.
More than 60 girls from Riverside High School, Rosny High School, Clarence High School, Penguin District School and Prospect High School took part in the day that saw them participate in a number of motorsport related activities.
From the pit stop and simulator challenges to the STEM/Lego workshop and fitness and reaction, there were plenty of engaging activations that gave the teenagers an insight into motorsport.
The event also welcomed a number of high-profile names to help run the activities, most notably Repco Supercars Championship race winner Andre Heimgartner and Girls on Track ambassador Nadine Armstrong, who hosted the event.
Joining the duo was Tasmanian hill climb star Casey Price, Australian Karting Champion Lachlan Dalton and karting young gun Tabitha Ambrose, while engineering student Karina Vasudevan ran the STEM workshop.
Another guest to attend the event was Electorate Officer from the Office of the Hon Sarah Courtney MP, Lisa Patterson, who thoroughly enjoyed the day and praised its objectives.
“This (program) is fantastic. Such a great opportunity for young girls in schools and gives them a great insight into what it is like in the motorsport industry,” Patterson said.
“When I went through the system, we definitely didn’t have anything like this. Such a long time ago in which there was that opportunity because even just being here I have learnt a lot.
“I didn’t first understand what the program entailed and what opportunities it opened up for young girls within Tasmania as well, so I think it’s fantastic that it has been bought to our schools.
“Hopefully the girls get some inspiration to take their careers further outside the schooling system and they get a passion and some direction for where they would like to be post their education.”
One of the day’s participants was Riverside High School student, Tara Stewart, who enjoyed every minute of the program and what it represented.
“I think it’s a really great experience, I have never seen anything like it before,” Stewart said.
“Especially coming to Tasmania where I can see everyone is really enjoying it. To see other women in the STEM field is also really inspiring.
“I think it’s really important just seeing someone, it gives you an opportunity to really aspire to something, as well inspire girls to pursue a STEM field in the future.”
The FIA Girls on Track heads to Queensland for its next event at Norwell Motorplex on Monday 9 August.