It was another successful weekend for Motorsport Australia’s junior development programs, Ricciardo’s Racers and FIA Girls on Track with Western Australia the latest state told host the popular events.
Taking place at Driver Risk Management Perth and Wanneroo Raceway, both programs had a healthy number of excited participants.
Ricciardo’s Racers saw a total of 64 young Australians take part across the weekend as they learned the fundamentals of driving in a controlled environment.
The program teaches children between the ages of 12–17 the basics of motorsport under the guidance of expert driver instructors through fun exercises in a Ford Mustang.
In addition to regular instructors from Driving Solutions, Repco Supercars Championship star Andre Heimgartner, Toyota 86 Series driver Lachie Dalton and 2018 WA Formula Ford Champion Bryce Moore helped run the sessions.
Like other Ricciardo’s Racers events, the participants completed several activities to learn about essential driving skills before wrapping up with a competitive timed slalom challenge.
Click here for more information on Ricciardo's Racers
Driver Risk Management Perth also hosted the FIA Girls on Track program.
Just like Ricciardo’s Racers, a huge turnout of schoolgirls aged 8-18 attended the event focused at growing the interest in STEM subjects and industries amongst young girls through a variety of activities.
In addition to girls from Pinjarra Senior High and Fremantle High School, a dozen of individuals outside each school also attended, as they were eager to learn about the motorsport industry.
In attendance helping run the day was an impressive representation of women involved the sport to help run the day.
From WA Sporting Car Club Development Officer Lauren Cornes, Motorsport Australia officials Danielle Meyn and Telea Plummer and Speedway data analyst Chelsee Callaghan to Speedway star Laura Byrnes and WA circuit drivers Tayla Dicker and April Welsh all six women have plenty of experience in motorsport.
With both programs for WA now complete, attention turns to the remaining events for 2021 with South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria all on the calendar.
Sydney Motorsport Park is first up with three night sessions of Ricciardo Racers and one FIA Girls on Track event before Melbourne has four events at three different locations in November.
The FIA Girls on Track wraps up with two events in December – the first being Bathurst High School before concluding at The Bend Motorsport Park as part of a bumper Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships finale.
Click here for more information on Girls on Track.
Spots are highly limited, so anyone interested is encouraged to register as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
Remaining calendar for 2021
FIA Girls on Track
9 November - Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW
29 November - Port Melbourne Go Kart Track, VIC
30 November - Port Melbourne Go Kart Track, VIC
6 December – Bathurst High School, NSW
10 December – The Bend Motorsport Park, SA (Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships)
Ricciardo’s Racers
8 November - Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW
9 November - Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW
24 November - Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW
27 November - METEC Bayswater, VIC
28 November - Sandown Raceway, VIC