The 2024 Historic Leyburn Sprints served as a unique opportunity for a group of aspiring young women to get their first experience of life as an official.
 
Twelve women aged from 14-49 years old spent the weekend shadowing licenced Motorsport Australia officials in their roles across the two-day event held at the Leyburn Airfield.
 
The 28th anniversary of the Historic Leyburn Sprints featured a raft of on and off-track action, with the program participants exposed to course marshalling, track inspection, vehicle scrutineering, timekeeping, flag marshalling, starting, stewarding and event secretaryship.
 
The program was organised with the help of the Queensland Government’s $15 million Active Women and Girls Program, enabling training opportunities for the next generation of female officials.
 
Historic Leyburn Sprints President Tricia Chant was pleased to see the new cohort of future officials in action over the weekend.
 
“Especially because of the safety requirements, motorsport events would not run without trained and licensed officials – they are simply essential and are needed everywhere, at all levels,” Chant said.
 
“We’ll give the candidates this weekend a great taste of the many exciting and important opportunities that are available to them – and the same opportunities are available to women as they are to male officials.
 
“If they’re interested in taking it further, we will support them through the pathway for Motorsport Australia official licences. We’ll provide guidance and mentoring, plus some assistance with expenses.”
 
For more information on the event, visit the Historic Leyburn Sprints website.