Motorsport Australia Speed Read – March 2026

PULSEON

HALL OF FAME 2026

Three generations of Sir Jack Brabham’s family have welcomed his most successful racing car into membership of the Australian

WHAT IS AUTO CROSS?

Autocross is a timed motorsport event where participants compete individually (no co-drivers), and the only thing you’re trying to beat is the clock.

HEUZENROEDER MAKES FORMULA 3

It’s March and it’s already been a big year for our sport.

Aswe look ahead, the focus is on the people who keep motorsport running at every level - our clubs, our volunteers, and our members. The future of motorsport depends on all of us working together to make the sport sustainable, grow participation, and support the grassroots communities which underpin the sport we love.

In February, it was a privilege to attend the Motorsport Australia National Awards Gala, where we celebrated championship winners and recognised various honours and awards recipients for their contributions across the entire sport.

In March, we worked alongside the Australian Grand Prix Corporation to deliver the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026, which serves as a reminder of what motorsport can achieve when the whole community pulls in the same direction. It was a world - class event which broke its own attendance record with 483,934 visitors, but at its heart it represented the passion, dedication, and hard work that starts in local clubs and regional communities across the country.

Our thanks go to the 1,000-plus Motorsport Australia officials that worked tirelessly over the four-day event to deliver a safe and seamless event. Without them, there is no motorsport.

Looking forward, we’re focused on practical steps that strengthen clubs, simplified pathways to make it easier for new people to get involved, and ensuring our events remain safe, affordable, and fun. At the same time,

we’re taking sustainability seriously, as a core responsibility of the governing body. Retaining our FIA three-star environmental rating underpins our head office efforts to keep motorsport strong for the next generation.

In January and February, 117 events were conducted nationwide, ranging from entrylevel competitions through to elite-level motorsport. These events reflect the strong participation base of the sport and the significant contribution of volunteers and local clubs in delivering safe, structured motorsport opportunities in communities across Australia.

This year is about building momentum, backing our members, and making sure every club - big or small - has the support it needs to thrive, and the first quarter of 2026 is just a taste of what this community can achieve.

Josh Blanksby Motorsport Australia CEO

2026AUSTRALIAN FORMULA1GRAND

PIASTRI QUALIFIED STRONGLY IN FIFTH POSITION, WHILE REIGNING WORLD CHAMPION LANDO NORRIS QUALIFIED SIXTH.

AUSTRALIANGRANDPRIX

The opening round of the 2026 Formula 1 season delivered an exciting weekend of racing as the Australian Grand Prix returned to Albert Park along with a record attendance of more than 483,934 fans.

Friday’s action brought an encouraging start for both Ferrari and McLaren during the opening practice sessions.

Charles Leclerc topped the first session, while hometown favourite Oscar Piastri delighted the local crowd by setting the fastest time in the second practice session for McLaren.

The competitive early pace suggested a closely fought weekend, with several teams appearing capable of challenging at the front.

By Saturday, Mercedes had firmly established itself as the team to beat.

George Russell produced a standout lap to secure pole position ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli to form a Mercedes front-row lockout in Qualifying.

Piastri qualified strongly in fifth position, while reigning world champion Lando Norris qualified sixth.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen faced a difficult race ahead after a crash in qualifying forced

RUSSELL SECURES PODIUM AT RECORD-BREAKING AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

him to start from the back of the grid.

Sunday’s race delivered plenty of drama. At the start, Leclerc used Ferrari’s strong ability off the line to take the lead from Russell, with the pair battling during the early stages.

Strategy soon became a defining factor as two Virtual Safety Car periods reshaped the race, allowing Mercedes to pit both drivers early while Ferrari kept its cars on track.

Once the pit cycles were complete, Russell and Antonelli regained control of the race and maintained a comfortable advantage.

Careful tyre management allowed the pair to hold position to the chequered flag, securing a dominant Mercedes one-two finish, with Russell claiming his first Australian Grand Prix victory.

Behind them, Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton completed the top four, while Norris finished fifth and Verstappen produced an impressive recovery drive to sixth.

Unfortunately for the home crowd, Piastri was unable to start the race after spinning on the reconnaissance lap.

NEXT-GENERATION OF OFFICIALS ARRIVE AT ALBERT PARK OFFICIALS

The ongoing success and sustainability of Motorsport Australia’s cohort of officials at the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 is driven by those who attend each year for the first time.

In 2026, 219 Motorsport Australia officials were in attendance at the Australian Grand Prix for the first time, making up a substantial amount of the wider cohort totalling over 1,000 - with the event typically oversubscribed within days of applications opening.

With the popularity of Netflix’s ‘Drive to Survive’ attracting a whole new captive audience, many of the nextgeneration are committing to continue officiating long after the chequered flag dropped at Albert Park.

Hayley Laanbroek, originally hailing from New Zealand but now based in Melbourne, has sampled track marshalling in zone nine for the Grand Prix, and has long-term goals for being an official.

“The goal for me has always been to work my way up as an official,” Laanbroek said.

“I had started off quite small doing enduro races and other categories, just gradually taking on higher level events.

“Next for me is doing more major events as I work towards my Bronze Official accreditation, and there is no event bigger than the Australian Grand Prix.

“I’ve always wanted to do something like this and to get back on track is something I have missed.”

Bethany Leong, a friend of Hayley’s and a local aerospace engineering student, knew very early on she wanted to be an official at the Formula 1 level and plotted out a course to becoming one.

“After I got my General Officials licence, I actively sought out places I could become a flag marshal at various grassroots events to get my experience,” Leone said.

“I applied to be a Grand Prix marshal in 2024 and 2025, but something came up last second on both occasions, so it seems like it’s a case of third time’s the charm and I’m ecstatic to finally be able to do it.”

First-time officials have also arrived from overseas, such as Harsha Dandala, who moved to Australia from India in recent years and was assigned as a marshal zone observer for the weekend’s proceedings.

Now based in New South Wales, Harsha has passion for Formula 1 and looks forward to connecting with other officials at different race events.

“Since I’ve moved here, I’ve attended many races as an official and several Australian Grand Prix as a spectator,” Dandala said.

“Every time I have attended this race as a fan, I always took inspiration from the officials working on this particular event.

“It was after I stumbled onto the possibility of becoming a Grand Prix official, given my experience, and finding out I could apply, I just manifested this happening and here we are. It’s a dream come true.”

YOUNG OFFICIALS WITH LARGEST REPRESENTATION AT AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

The FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 is Australia’s premier motorsport event and the largest event of its kind on the nation’s motorsport calendar. With that distinction comes an officials community of equal scale, making it the country’s most extensive motorsport undertaking of the year.

As the sun rose across Albert Park Lake on the morning of Thursday 5 March, more than 1,000 Motorsport Australia volunteer officials gathered as they prepared for their many and varied roles at this year’s Australian Grand Prix.

The officials cohort welcomed individuals of all experience levels, ranging from the most senior officials in Race Control to first-time F1 officials playing supporting roles to more experienced chief marshals.

Female participation continued to rise across all aspects of the event, and the gender split for this year’s event saw 730 male and 289 women officials rounding out the entire officials community.

Motorsport Australia Chief People Officer Nicky Lennon emphasised diversity strengthens the entire officiating team, setting a powerful example for the next generation.

“The ongoing level of female participation is something we are extremely proud of, with representation matching record levels from last year’s event,” Lennon said.

“To see so many women and young girls stepping into officiating roles, including our expanded FIA Girls on Track cohort, shows our sport is becoming more accessible and inclusive than ever before.”

The youngest official that participated at the Grand Prix was just 15 years of age, a contrast to the oldest official at the Formula One World Championship season opener at 82 years of age.

There was 219 officials who attended the Australian Grand Prix for the first time. These new officials were well supported by the more than 140 officials who have attended more than 20 Australian Grands Prix over the years.

More than 300 officials aged between 15 to 30 years of age attended the Australian Grand Prix, making them the largest age bracket and highlighting

strong enthusiasm among young officials to enter motorsport early.

The deep knowledge base also remains strong, with 71 officials aged 71 and above on hand this week.

Motorsport Australia continues to grow its skilled officials community, with most recent figures totalling 12,514 officials nationally across all forms of motorsport.

The overseas representation was also strong with 57 international officials arriving down under for the event, taking part in an array of marshal roles. Sixteen nationalities made up the contingent from abroad including Brazil, Korea, Italy, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to name a few, with Singapore boasting the highest officials number with 16.

Becoming an official does not stop at the Australian Grand Prix, with a wide variety of world-class events on offer throughout the rest of the year.

Notable events include the Bathurst 1000, each round of the Australian Rally Championship and Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship, the Adelaide Grand Final, and the Bathurst 6 hour and 12 Hour Enduro events.

Australian motorsport is made possible because of the tireless work of our grassroots officials each and every week. It is also at grassroots events where there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in officiating.

LOVEINTHE FASTLANE BRAD & BERENICE

It is hard to imagine many dinner table conversations being more interesting than Brad and Berenice Statton’s.

The Queensland-based couple, married since 1997, served as the Lead Safety Car Driver and Lead Safety Car Communicator respectively for the Porsche Carrera Cup at the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026, with the latter also officiating as Safety Car Communicator for Supercars too.

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The two Motorsport Australia officials have a combined 68 years of experience between them, meeting one another in the late 1990s through a mutual friend, merging their love of motorsport from that point on.

“We’ve both worked really hard to be in the position that we are in, we’ve officiated at a lot of events across a range of different roles,” Berenice said.

recent Bathurst 12 Hour and the rest of the national support categories in the same safety car role.

They also spend time supporting their local car club, the Brisbane Sporting Car Club, competing in supersprints, circuit racing, hill climbs and any other events that pique their interests.

Berenice described herself and Brad as embodying a

THERE’S PLENTY MORE YEARS TO COME OF INTENSE WEEKENDS AND TIGHT BATTLES..."

“I got my start mainly in scrutineering working my way up that chain for several years.

“Then after a bit of a break from that, the Queensland course car crew gave me a bit of an apprenticeship, and from there I started communicating with Brad in the driver’s seat from the mid-2000s.

“I haven’t done any of this overseas, but during the other events we have done together, we have continued to learn more about the positions and it has made it even more enjoyable as the years go by.”

The pair attend multiple events throughout the year, such as Supercars, Shannons SpeedSeries, the

“Ying” and “Yang” dynamic in the car together, with Brad being the “calmer” of the two and Berenice actively communicating with Race Control.

“We’re very fortunate to be in our roles at the largest motorsport events of the year,” Berenice said.

“Event such as the Grand Prix are obviously massive on the event calendar at Albert Park, which Brad has previously raced on in historics.

“Then there’s events like the Bathurst 12 Hour at Mount Panorama where the sun peaks over the horizon while we’re coming down Skyline with 35 roaring GTs behind us - there are not many moments that can beat that.

“We also look forward to catching up with the other officials too, at every race event, but especially here at the Grand Prix, it is just a different atmosphere, in a positive way.

“So we love making the trip down to Victoria together to do a job we both really love.”

TO START YOUR JOURNEY AS A MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA OFFICIAL, HEAD TO THE WEBSITE

OFFICIALS GATHER FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE FOR THE

Not all of the 1000-plus Motorsport Australia Officials available at the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 were from within Australian borders.

The international officials who volunteer their time to attend the event play a pivotal role, adding a substantial boost in manpower to create a more efficient and knowledgeable officials group.

In 2026, 57 officials arrived Down Under to provide their skills from overseas.

Of the international volunteers, almost every continent on the planet was represented by officials. Such nations included Austria, Brazil, Finland, India, Italy, Korea, New Zealand, Phillipines, Romania, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

However, the crown for the country most-represented at this year’s Australian Grand Prix was Singapore.

The small island country located in south-east Asia provided 16 officials for the event.

Among them were travellers Sharon Law, Desmond Ho and Rachel Chung, with the latter two participating in their first Formula 1 event in Australia.

Ho was attracted to attending this year’s Grand Prix to immerse himself in a new environment.

“It’s quite interesting actually, as the Australian team of officials helped set up the first Singapore Grand Prix in 2008, so it’s good to see how the Australians operate,” Ho said.

“It was almost a bit like a learning experience for me, but the Australian Grand Prix is a very well respected event in Formula 1 and to be here to experience it for the first time was really great.

“My favourite part about being a part of a Grand Prix is the people. I enjoy bouncing ideas of others and working together with others as a team.”

The 2026 Australian Grand Prix was the third instalment of the event Law will attend, after last making her way down to Melbourne back in 2017.

“I always wanted to come back for another Grand Prix, so somehow the schedules this year aligned for me,” Law said.

“I wanted to come back last year, but I wasn’t able to register, so it’s good to get here this year.

“I’m so excited to see the cars and see how different they are this year with all of the new regulations.”

The three visitors have spent several Singapore Grands Prix working alongside each other in the same sector, but the three were in slightly different trackside roles.

Desmond worked in the Recovery Team, while Sharon and Rachel were both within the Flag Marshalling Team, albeit in different sectors.

For Rachel, attending her first Australian Grand Prix was a terrific experience.

“I feel like it’s been a bit of a wonderland,” Chung said.

“I can’t say for certain it’s solely from being here at Albert Park, but I think being in a new country entirely has made this a very fun visit for me.

“Everyone has been very friendly as well, making me feel welcome. It’s just great.”

CARLY WARDELL WARDELL GROWING HER LOVE OF MOTORSPORT

Recognised as one of Motorsport Australia’s brightest up and comers, Carly Wardell’s love of motorsport has spurred her on to become a regarded advocate of the national officials cohort.

Serving as the Assistant Secretary of the Event at the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026, Wardell played a pivotal part in ensuring key administrative responsibilities before and during a race meeting.

Under the leadership of Secretary of the Event Kimberly Hughes, Wardell helped with oversight of the administration team, ensuring competitor licences were valid and handled event paperwork to maintain compliance with Motorsport Australia regulations.

the overarching governing body of motorsport, creating a useful channel for Australia’s motorsport body to exchange future ideas with the FIA.

Wardell has been a motorsport enthusiast since day dot, being a part of a family that considers itself a collection of passionate motorsport fans.

Wardell was proud to be a crucial part of the Australian Grand Prix, with the 2026 edition her third she had attended.

“I’ve met so many friends through this event, it’s the pinnacle of what we do in terms of motorsport in this country,” Wardell said.

“We’ve also received great feedback on how the event is conducted from an officials perspective. It’s a great feeling knowing that we are doing our jobs well, and it’s even better when we hear officials want to keep coming back.”

Wardell also represented Motorsport Australia overseas through the FIA Immersion Programme in 2025, travelling

“I always grew up around motorsport, so I always had a feeling of forging some type of path in motorsport,” Wardell added.

“I studied at Deakin University with a degree in Sports Management, and throughout that time I volunteered at as many sporting events as possible, including Supercars and MotoGP, to gain extra industry experience.

“In 2022, I then began an internship at Motorsport Australia which helped lay the foundation for a lot of the skills I have today in motorsport.

“I was able to gain employment with the governing body as a casual employee before eventually transitioning to full-time employment and my current role as Motorsport Operations Manager throughout the year.”

In 2026, Wardell will become the Secretary of the Event for the 2026 Shannons SpeedSeries, another step up in Wardell’s motorsport experience, an opportunity she states is an exciting one with the opening round just a few weeks away in Phillip Island.

STARTING YOUR MOTORSPORT JOURNEY IS AS EASY AS SIGNING UP TO BECOME AN OFFICIAL ON THE MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA WEBSITE

CHEREE

TALKING COMMS WITH CHEREE

Communication is an essential in motorsport, with so many moving parts around the course and the potential for sudden developments throughout the course.

At the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026, all communications went through senior Race Control official Cheree Beattie.

As Chief of Communications, Beattie was the first port of call when it came to relaying information to Race Control and the Clerks of the Course, making Cheree’s role fundamental to the efficiency of motorsport sessions - especially last week’s Australian Grand Prix.

“I was responsible for all communication between race control and all of the trackside teams,” Beattie outlined.

“So not just the trackside marshals and flaggies, but also coordination with the pits and paddock, when to open and shut gates, and maintaining that open dialogue across all channels.

“There’s times where I’ve got four different channels going through my ears at the same time, which can be a challenge, but it’s equally rewarding knowing it’s such an important role.”

Beattie’s officiating history dates back to 2016 as a General Official during a state round held at Sydney Motorsport Park.

From there, Beattie began officiating at Supercars events and progressing through various roles as a Bronze official.

After suffering an injury while officiating as a sector marshal at Bathurst, senior Motorsport Australia officials provided Beattie with an opportunity to move into Race Control.

From then, Beattie began logging for the communications channel and has since moved into the Chief of Communications role in the senior officials leadership team starting in 2022. Beattie also continues to participate in trackside roles overseas.

“It was the pinnacle to be at the Australian Grand Prix in the role that I had, and it is not lost on me the amount of support I have had over the years,” Beattie said.

“Mentors such as Peter Durkin, Phil Revelle and Kaye Callander are just a few that spring to mind, as well as the Chief Marshall Team of New South Wales, so Mark Moore, Jacqueline Devereaux and Andrew Beattie (Cheree’s husband).”

Beattie’s advice to prospective officials is just to give it a go.

“You might not be suited to a trackside role. Maybe you prefer being a steward, or a scrutineer, that’s the beauty of motorsport - you can try any number of roles,” Beattie concluded.

“Yes it’s great to do the Australian Grand Prix, but you have to start somewhere first, so find opportunities locally at club events and work your way up.

“Officiating at the grassroots level is not only beneficial to our local clubs, but it also provides more opportunity to gain experiences in different roles of officiating.”

OFFICIALS CELEBRATED AT AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX DINNER

The 1,000-plus strong group of officials who were integral to the running of the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 came together on Sunday evening to reflect on the successful event and enjoy a meal together.

The officials’ dinner, which takes place annually following the conclusion of the Australian Grand Prix, was held inside the Cricket Victoria building based on the corner of St Kilda Junction/Fitzroy Street.

Led by Secretary of the Event Kimberly Hughes, the dinner was headlined by a personalised thank you video of competing drivers from the weekend acknowledging the officials’ hard work.

Drivers who gave shout outs to the officials included four-time World Champion Max Verstappen, Williams drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon, Nico Hulkenberg, Charles Leclerc and Isack Hadjar who kindly stated, “without you, there is no racing”.

The evening also involved a pair of peer-nominated awards for the official deemed the Marshal of the Event, as well as the Peter Nelson Cup, which is awarded to a standout team.

Receiving the Marshal of the Event award was Assistant Clerk of the Course Kaye Callander, who executed her role in Race Control to an exceptional level.

The Peter Nelson Cup, named after the Australian Grand Prix’s original Secretary of the Event, the late Peter Nelson, was awarded to the Sector 14.4 marshal team, made up of sector marshals, post marshals, track marshals, flag marshals and observers covering one of the larger areas on track.

Motorsport Australia CEO Josh Blanksby addressed the officials group, thanking the community on behalf of President Andrew Fraser and the Motorsport Australia Board, for its professionalism and expertise as the Australian Grand Prix broke its weekend attendance record with 483,934 attendees.

“To have over a 1,000 people giving up their time, their money, to travel here, to stay here, and to work from dawn ‘til dusk, is remarkable,” Blanksby said.

“It’s a skilled workforce… and you’re doing the most important part of the job for this sport.

“It truly blew me away when I was here Thursday morning,

when Jen [Campbell] and Rhys [Carleton-Carlos] did the live cross with ABC News Breakfast, and everyone was coming in with such positivity and such excitement.

“I really felt it to be a community, and I then understood what the term ‘motorsport family’ means. So, again, thank you for all of your hard work.”

Motorsport Australia Chief People Officer Nicky Lennon echoed Blanksby’s sentiment, thanking the officials for their efforts.

“Events like the Australian Grand Prix simply don’t happen without the dedication of our officials, and the commitment shown across the weekend was outstanding,” Lennon added.

“To see more than a thousand volunteers give their time, energy and expertise to deliver such a world-class event is something everyone in Australian motorsport should be proud of.

“On behalf of Motorsport Australia, thank you for the passion and teamwork you brought to Albert Park.”

DINNER

HALLOFFAME BRABHAM BT19 BECOMES FIRST CAR TO ENTER HALL OF FAME

Three generations of Sir Jack Brabham’s family have welcomed his most successful racing car into membership of the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame. The ceremony occurred as an important part of the opening day of the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026.

Sir Jack Brabham and his Repco Brabham BT19 won the 1966 Formula 1 World Championship, the only time ever that the title has been claimed by a driver with a car of their own construction.

This year marked the 60th anniversary of the unique achievement, and also the centenary of Sir Jack’s birth (2 April 1926).

Sir Jack’s widow Lady Margaret Brabham, Sir Jack’s son David Brabham, and grandson Sam Brabham were on hand to see the BT19 become the first vehicle to join the Hall of Fame.

Fittingly, the BT19 became the 100th inductee.

The Hall of Fame welcomes, on average, one hero per year from all branches of motor racing and its 125 year history – karting, speedway, drag racing, motorcycling and motor racing.

Seven-time Supercars Champion Jamie Whincup was also part of the six inductees in this year’s Hall of Fame intake, the first Supercars inductee since Marcos Ambrose in 2019.

“Achievements like this aren’t the result of one person’s efforts,” Whincup said.

“They’re built on the hard work and dedication of so many people over many years.

“On my own I wouldn’t have crossed the finish line first even once, but together as a group we achieved more than anyone before us.

“What truly makes this journey remarkable is sharing it with the countless fans who have supported us along the way.

FAME FAME OF HALL

CLERKOF THECOURSE

MORI SERVES SECOND YEAR AS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX CLERK OF THE COURSE

SENIOR OFFICIAL DAVID MORI RETURNED TO THE ROLE OF CLERK OF THE COURSE FOR A SECONDCONSECUTIVE YEAR AT THE FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026.

Mori, who was elevated to the role for the first time last year, is highly regarded as one of the most senior and experienced officials with Motorsport Australia.

The Clerk of the Course appointment of Australia’s largest motorsport event was the culmination of 40 years of work in various officials positions throughout his career.

“It was quite humbling to be appointed again and to be able to work with the majority of the same team that I worked with last year,” Mori said.

“Overall, I think we put on an amazing event last year, and the collaboration between Motorsport Australia and Australian Grand Prix Corporation has continue to improve in recent years and that has been the case this year as well.

“I attribute that to the leadership team that’s in place for this event as well as the rest of those in the event command team.

was designated Assistant Clerk of the Course.

Mori is well-versed experience-wise at the Australian Grand Prix, having attended every single modern-day Australian Grand Prix, but three.

Looking back at Mori’s trajectory up the officials hierarchy, he has undertaken roles starting as a track marshal, before moving into communications and flags. He then shifted to being a Sector Marshall before moving to Race Control as the Chief of Communications. From there he served as an Assistant Clerk of the Course for national categories, the Deputy Clerk of the Course for National Categories, before moving into his current position in 2025. Mori also volunteers his time as the Clerk of the Course for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and has done so since 2021.

" TO HAVE MORE THAN 1000 OFFICIALS GIVING THEIR TIME AND EXPERTISE TO THE GRAND PRIX IS SOMETHING INCREDIBLY SPECIAL..."

“To have more than 1000 officials giving their time and expertise to the grand prix is something incredibly special, and it’s a credit to the strength of our officiating community, and something I have had the privilege of witnessing over four decades,” Mori added.

“Officials like Lawrie Schmitt, David Stuart and Kaye Callander to name a few, have put in a lot of effort to collaborate well with event organisers to ensure that from the sporting side of things, everything is as it should be in compliance with our rules and FIA rules too.”

Leading the officials cohort from Race Control, Schmitt and Stuart served as Deputy Clerks of the Course throughout the week, while Callander

“Having experienced this event from so many different roles, I can say the dedication and professionalism of our officials is what truly underpins its success.”

Mori joined the 1000-plus officials who were on-hand for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, all of which started their journey by obtaining a Motorsport Australia Officials Licence.

COURSE

WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN MOTORSPORT ACCELERATES

More women are in position for a successful career in motorsport in the wake of the Australian Grand Prix, backed by a $240,000 investment from the Federal Government.

Motorsport Australia’s FIA Girls on Track program provides mentoring, networking and hands-on opportunities for young women and girls aged 8 to 22 years old interested in the motorsport industry.

Minister for Sport Anika Wells met program participants at the Albert Park Street Circuit, who have been undertaking work experience across technical, corporate, communications and commercial roles during the event, to see the positive impact of the program in-person.

“The Albanese Government is proud to support programs that create career pathways and opportunities for more young women in motorsport,” Minister Wells said.

providing young women with meaningful opportunities to explore careers in motorsport with a strong emphasis on STEM-related fields,” Blanksby said.

“Support from the Australian Government has been instrumental in expanding the program’s national reach. This continued investment ensures we can transform passion and potential into tangible career pathways for young women right across Australia.”

A team of advocates working in the industry also supports these unique opportunities, from team owners to engineers, physiotherapists to officials – all women with expertise in their fields.

" IT’S BEEN FANTASTIC TO MEET WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE BENEFITTING FROM HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE AND VALUABLE EXPOSURE TO MOTORSPORT

“It’s been fantastic to meet with people who are benefitting from hands-on experience and valuable exposure to motorsport – making a meaningful difference to their career trajectories.

– MAKING A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE TO THEIR CAREER TRAJECTORIES."

“I can’t wait to see more women on the track, behind the wheel and behind the scenes of the Formula 1 and other great motorsport events.”

During Grand Prix week, 22 participants enjoyed experiences in team operations, including high performance engineering environments and race preparation as well as exposure to event delivery, communications and stakeholder engagement processes.

In 2025, more than 1,000 young women participated in the Girls on Track program across the country, strengthening industry pipelines and career pathways.

Motorsport Australia CEO Josh Blanksby outlined the program creates meaningful development opportunities for young women in motorsport.

“The FIA Girls on Track Program is a cornerstone of Motorsport Australia’s participation pathways,

Supercars remains an ardent supporter of the Girls on Track program, with several teams and the Supercars management team consistently offering unique opportunities for participants to work in important event roles.

Supercars Chief Executive James Warburton described the Girls on Track participants as valuable contributors when assisting at rounds each season.

“Programs like FIA Girls on Track create opportunities for young women who will form the next generation of talent in the motorsport industry,” Warburton said.

“Their enthusiasm and capability demonstrate the value of this program and the impact of supporting greater female participation across all areas of motorsport.”

Funding for Girls on Track was delivered by the Australian Sports Commission’s Play Well program, which supports the creation of great sporting environments where people of all ages, backgrounds, genders and abilities can come together to access the benefits of sport.

A further $12,000 in Play Well funding supports Motorsport Australia’s Women’s Introduction to Motorsport program, which enables women to experience the sport for the first time from the familiarity of their own car.

THEDOC

DOCTOR ON WHEELS DR MATTHEW MACPARTLIN

IN TERMS OF EFFICIENCY, THE FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 MEDICAL TEAM IS IN A LEAGUE OF ITS OWN.

Consisting of doctors, paramedics and nurses, the medical team is first on the scene in the event of an incident, providing crucial assistance to drivers in the immediate moments following a crash.

The medical team is also made up of passionate motorsport fans, who enjoy giving up four days of their lives to attend the Australian Grand Prixincluding Medical Car Doctor Dr Matthew MacPartlin.

An Irish national and permanent Australian resident, MacPartlin is the local doctor on hand in the medical car to administer clinical help if required in any on track incident.

“As per the regulations, a locally accredited doctor must be the one to administer any first aid, should it be required,” MacPartlin said.

“It’s a critical role in a sport where automotive technology continues to push the boundaries in terms of performance. While the sport is beautiful when it is going according to plan, if something goes wrong at the speeds it does, it can go quite wrong.

“So for the medical team, we take our roles extremely serious as what we do is extremely important.”

Reporting to current Chief Medical Officer Dr Brent May, MacPartlin’s motorsport journey is quite unique. Originally hailing from Ireland, Matthew had no experience in motorsport prior to his medical studies.

Spending time gaining medical experience overseas in Malaysia, MacPartlin was asked to attend a rally at a rubber plantation.

While he was not required to do any medical work at the event, it lit a fire under his belly which resulted in him turning his attention to being part of a circuit racing medical team back home in Ireland before meeting his wife down the track in Australia.

" LIKE ANY ROLE IN MOTORSPORT, THERE’S PEAKS AND TROUGHS IN MY ROLE, BUT AS LONG AS THE PEAKS OUTWEIGH THE TROUGHS, THAT IS A WIN IN MY BOOKS."

The ongoing growth of the Australian Grand Prix has been a welcome sight for Matthew, seeing the flowon affect of that growth extend to the medical team.

“I met my now-wife here in Australia and started attending the Australian Grand Prix, first as a spectator, and then later on as part of the medical team in the early 2000s,” MacPartlin added.

“Over the years at the Australian Grand Prix, it has gradually become more professionalised, and to see that take place while personally having had some impact in driving some of that is a good feeling.

“Like any role in motorsport, there’s peaks and troughs in my role, but as long as the peaks outweigh the troughs, that is a win in my books.”

STEPHEN PREECE SETTING A PRECEDENT FOR SAFETY

Safety remains the core pillar of motorsport, particularly motorsport officiating, and Motorsport Australia official Stephen Preece can be considered an expert in the subject.

Preece is one of Motorsport Australia’s longest-serving officials, with more than 50 years of experience dating back to 1973.

Perhaps just as impressive, Preece has attended the every single modern-day Australian Grand Prix bar one.

At this year’s FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026, Preece filled the role of Track Safety and Officials Safety Manager.

As is the case for all officials, Stephen started his officiating journey at the entry level.

Beginning as a flag marshal, Preece progressed to becoming an Assistant Clerk of the Course at Amaroo Park Raceway in New South Wales.

" IT’S A BIT OF A MILITARY EXERCISE, THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX, WITH HOW BUSY EVERYTHING IS, THE OFFICIALS BEING DIRECTED TO THEIR POSTS, HOW ON TIME EVERYTHING IS, IS REMARKABLE,"

In Preece’s words, the role entailed being based on Turn 2, acting as an overseer to the rest of the officials cohort and making sure all track sectors were in order and following procedure.

“We keep records of all that, but my role is to essentially assist Deputy Clerk of the Course David Stuart in relaying all necessary information related to track safety, as I am also a National Track Inspector,” Preece said.

“We go around and audit the actual circuit and pass on any information to the engineers, we go through deficit reports every day and make sure things are corrected as needed.”

Preece became a Sector Marshal at the Australian Grand Prix in 1987, the same year current Deputy Clerk of the Course Lawrie Schmitt OAM began the same role.

More than a decade later, Preece became Assistant Clerk of the Course for the Grand Prix before circulating between roles up until today.

Also the Clerk of the Course for the Bathurst 1000 for more than 20 years, Preece enjoys joining the officials he is responsible for each year, welcoming returning and new officials alike.

“It’s a bit of a military exercise, the Australian Grand Prix, with how busy everything is, the officials being directed to their posts, how on time everything is, is remarkable,” Preece added.

“But it’s home, and it’s an event Australians are proud to host, and the officials that attend each year mark it in the calendar a year ahead of time.”

WHAT IS AUTOCROSS?

Autocross is a timed motorsport event where participants compete individually (no co-drivers), and the only thing you’re trying to beat is the clock.

Autocross takes place on an unsealed or sealed surface and sometimes both, typically on a compact, twisty course design which is longer than 400m and shorter than 4km, with the course pathway marked out by cones.

The discipline is designed to test a driver’s car control and precision without the high speeds or other complexities associated with full rallying or circuit racing. The aim is simple, to complete the course in the shortest time possible (absolutely nothing like the game of golf).

Autocross is also one of the safest and cheapest ways to have some fun behind the wheel, perfect for everyone from absolute beginners to the more experienced driver. You compete at your pace, in your car and within your skill and comfort level.

Its popularity is due largely to its accessibility with many autocross events held at local spaces like paddocks, airstrips, car parks, or temporary tracks set up by car clubs, which also keeps entry fees affordable.

To make it easy to get involved, the class is open to a wide range of vehicles, from standard road cars to modified race/rally cars.

Autocross serves as a great entry point for those looking to get into motorsport, providing a safe, controlled environment to hone driving skills. It’s also an ideal option for car enthusiasts who want to enjoy competition without the need for specialised cars, mechanical knowledge or expensive setups.

With safety always a top priority, drivers must be at least 14 years of age and hold a current Motorsport

Australia Speed Licence or higher grade, or a Licence acceptable to Motorsport Australia.

Alternatively, and helpful for first-timers, an individual may choose to apply for Motorsport Australia’s new Single Event Speed Licence to get involved in the sport through a quick and simple process.

Participants can complete a Single Event Speed Licence application before or on the day of an event through the Motorsport Australia Member Portal. Upon submission of an application, the Motorsport Australia Member Services team will activate the licence for seven days.

Other ways to get involved include attending a Motorsport Australia-affiliated car club’s Come and Try event, where drivers can dip their toes in autocross within a relaxed, beginner-friendly environment utilising an Introductory Licence.

Neither the Single Event Speed Licence nor the Introductory Licences require a club membership - that part can come later should you choose to continue to participate.

To get started, obtain a Motorsport Australia Speed Licence

Should you be ready to sign up to be a member of a club you find your nearest club by using Motorsport Australia’s updated Club Finder tool.

Safety is Motorsport Australia’s number one priority and event-specific safety requirements (such as a Motorsport Australia-approved helmet or wearing goggles/helmet visor in an open-style automobile) will be available through the organising club upon registration.

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WILL DAVISON APPOINTED TO MOTORSPORT RISK & SAFETY COMMITTEE

TWO-TIME BATHURST 1000 WINNER WILL DAVISON HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO THE MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA MOTORSPORT RISK AND SAFETY COMMITTEE (MRSC).

Davison joins the MRSC in 2026 for the standard threeyear term concluding in 2028 as the organisation maintains its mission to garner industry-wide support in growing and protecting the future of Australian motorsport.

Davison joins the committee made up of experienced figures, that includes Roland Dane (Chair), Garry Connelly AM, Coral Taylor, Paul Morris, Kristen Bailey, and Adam Berryman, supported by Motorsport Australia President Andrew Fraser and Motorsport Australia senior leadership.

“Will’s experience competing at the highest levels of Australian motorsport makes him an ideal addition to the MRSC,” Motorsport Australia CEO Josh Blanksby said.

“He also brings a current, competitor-driven perspective that will only strengthen our commitment to protecting participants, officials and fans.

“We’re pleased to welcome him to the Committee and look forward to the impact he will make during his term.”

Formed in 2022, the MRSC works to identify and mitigate the risks inherent in motorsport with a strong focus on continuing to improve safety for participants, officials, and spectators.

Davison, a recently retired full-time Supercars competitor, concluded his final full-time year after 605 Supercars starts.

“I’ve been fortunate to spend more than two decades competing at the highest level of Australian motorsport, and it’s there where you fully appreciate the amount of work that goes into safety, it’s always front of mind every time you buckle yourself into the car,” Davison said.

“To be given the opportunity to join the MRSC is a real honour. Motorsport has evolved enormously over the course of my career, particularly in the safety space, and I’m passionate about continuing that progress.

“I’m looking forward to working alongside Roland and the rest of the Committee to contribute my personal perspective and helping to ensure our sport remains as safe and sustainable as possible for the current and future generation.”

Davison will add to his start total in 2026 at this year’s AirTouch 500 at The Bend and Repco Bathurst 1000, as a Penrite Racing co-driver alongside reigning Ryco Enduro Cup Champion Matt Payne. This follows his appearance with the team during the 2026 Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour.

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AUSTRALIAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP SECURES NEW BROADCAST DEAL

THE EROAD AUSTRALIAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP (ARC) HAS INKED A NEW BROADCAST DEAL FOR THE 2026 SEASON WITH FOX SPORTS AUSTRALIA, JOINING AS THE CHAMPIONSHIP’S NEW MAJOR BROADCAST PARTNER.

A landmark deal for the ARC, FOX SPORTS Australia takes over as the official home of the championship, providing live streamed stages to be broadcast on its streaming service, Kayo SPORTS.

The platform allows fans to not only watch the best rally crews in action during an event, but also to watch the stages on-demand post-event on Kayo SPORTS.

Fans both in Australia and around the world can also tune into an event’s livestream free on the ARC’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

The announcement comes off the back of a historic year for the Australian Rally Championship, which saw record-breaking numbers in regard to its live stage coverage, where it gained more than 350,000 views across the six events.

Motorsport Australia CEO Josh Blanksby hailed the new deal as an important moment for the ARC and Australia’s wider motorsport media landscape.

“This type of coverage allows fans who cannot get to a rally, to experience all of the action and thrills that make the sport unlike any other,” Blanksby said.

“The deal will also strengthen our rally community by encouraging participation, while celebrating our competitors at the world-class events the Australian Rally Championship exhibit each and every year.

“This deal will add to the growing amount of high level motorsport available on television, and with the continued enhancement of the Supercars Championship broadcast product and its supported categories, FOX SPORTS Australia only strengthens its reputation as a pioneer in motorsport broadcasting.”

Fans will once again be able to watch a similar amount of rally action throughout each event, with a minimum of four live stages to be broadcast at each round of the season, as well as the new Shakedown stage on Friday mornings.

ARC Managing Director Adrian Coppin stated the EROAD Australian Rally Championship had one of its biggest recorded audiences in 2025.

“Fox Sports Australia is the home of motorsport, and by being on the same platform as Formula 1 and Supercars, I am confident we will see a rise in interest and general audience numbers over the

FOX

FOX SPORTS ANNOUNCED AS SHANNONS SPEEDSERIES PARTNER FOR 2026

FOX SPORTS Australia will be the new broadcast partner for the 2026 Shannons SpeedSeries as announced by SRO Motorsports Australia.

All six rounds of the Shannons SpeedSeries will be available live on Fox Sports’ streaming service, *Kayo* SPORTS, with highlights packages from each day available on-demand.

FOX SPORTS also has the exclusive rights to many of SRO Motorsports’ other global assets, with Australianbased fans able to watch GT World Challenge Europe, Asia and America, British GT Championship, the Suzuka 1000, Pirelli GT4 America and GT4 European Series.

The deal is a major coup for the future of the Shannons SpeedSeries, which heads to FOX SPORTS for the first time in its two decade-long history.

Motorsport Australia CEO Josh Blanksby stated the recent major broadcast deals secured by Australia’s

top motorsport categories are symptomatic of the sport’s recent growth nationally.

“The growth of Australian motorsport over the past few years has been prolific, and this partnership with FOX SPORTS is a significant step forward for the Shannons SpeedSeries,” Blanksby said.

“To align with a broadcaster that is home to so many premier categories, places Australia’s competitors and stakeholders on a truly national stage.

“We’re excited about the exposure this will deliver for our sport, as well as Australian motorsport fans, and the opportunities it creates to further elevate Australian motorsport in 2026 and beyond.”

Shannons SpeedSeries’ partnership with FOX SPORTS places them alongside a rafts of elite motorsport broadcast deals, which includes

categories such as Formula 1, Supercars, NASCAR and most recently the Australian Rally Championship.

In 2026, production house Rainmaker will have the responsibility of delivering the Shannons SpeedSeries to viewers as the official Production Partner following from a partnership that began in 2024.

The Shannons SpeedSeries’ first event on *Kayo* SPORTS will be the highly anticipated opening round in Victoria, with LIQUI MOLY GT Festival Phillip Island to kick off the new partnership in style.

GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS, Monochrome GT4 Australia, Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Australasia, Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia and the newly created Mustang Cup Australia will all feature at the opening round.

SRO Motorsports Australia CEO Ben McMellan added the partnership creates an incredible opportunity to grow for the Shannons SpeedSeries.

“FOX SPORTS has long been the home of motorsport in this country and their reach to Australian audiences alone is likely to have a positive effect on our product,” McMellan said.

“With the direction the world is heading in terms of consuming live sport through digital assets, *Kayo* SPORTS’ user-friendly interface, high-quality content and large audience makes it one of the best apps in Australia, and

" THE GROWTH OF AUSTRALIAN MOTORSPORT OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS HAS BEEN PROLIFIC, AND THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH FOX SPORTS IS A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD FOR THE SHANNONS SPEEDSERIES,"

C C AR

WA SPORTING CAR CLUB EXCITED FOR PROMISING 2026

A new venue sponsor and plenty of events has the WA Sporting Car Club (WASCC) excited for a busy year ahead.

Wanneroo Raceway, the home of motorsport in Western Australia, recently acquired a new naming rights sponsor following the acquisition by local business MotorMall.

A motor vehicle dealership business, MotorMall was launched three years ago and is owned by the Sewell family.

Clark Sewell, one of five brothers who run the business, flagged plans to bring more events to the venue in partnership with the WASCC.

“We’re proud to announce a game-changing partnership between the WASCC and MotorMall that will reshape motorsport in Western Australia,” Sewell wrote publicly late last year.

“We’re setting the stage to put Perth on the map for world-class motorsport, lifestyle, and family-friendly entertainment.”

As part of the new naming rights sponsorship, the WASCC maintains its role as the stewards of MotorMall Wanneroo Raceway.

As a not-for-profit and run by the club’s members, every dollar the WASCC receives goes back into improving facilities and events at MotorMall Wanneroo Raceway, ensuring the venue remains WA’s motorsport home for generations to come.

" WE’RE SETTING THE STAGE TO PUT PERTH ON THE MAP FOR WORLD-CLASS MOTORSPORT, LIFESTYLE, AND FAMILYFRIENDLY ENTERTAINMENT."

“One of the largest signs in Western Australia

WASCC president Russell Sewell, not related to the Sewell family, stated he and his members are excited for what is possible as part of the new naming rights partnership.

“This partnership with MotorMall is a major step forward for the club and the venue,” Sewell said.

C C U L B A

“Our members are excited about what we can achieve together in 2026 and beyond.”

Some of the club’s marquee events will also boast prominent time slots on the calendar, providing its members with ample use of the nationally-acclaimed venue.

“From our Racing Championship to drift, tuning and more, there’s something for everyone at the raceway,” Sewell concluded.

“It’s shaping up to be a busy and rewarding year for the whole WASCC community.”

CLUB

Events of note include all rounds of the WASCC Racing Championship, the Tarmac Sportz Series, Drift Practices and Nights, Tuning events and Come and Try Days.

Sewell added the club has built a strong calendar that gives members plenty of time on track across a wide range of disciplines.

WA’s 2026 Supercars Championship, the state’s busiest motorsport event of the year, will return to Wanneroo Raceway on 31 July-2 August.

THE FULL WASSC CALENDAR IS AVAILABLE ON THE CLUB’S WEBSITE

" FROM OUR RACING CHAMPIONSHIP TO DRIFT, TUNING AND MORE, THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT THE RACEWAY,"

RALLY OBSERVED LICENCE TEST UPDATED FOR 2026

The Australian Rally Commission (ARCom) approved changes to the Rally Observed Licence Test (OLT) process in 2025 to make the sport more accessible, and improve consistency and safety across age groups.

The approved changes are:

· OLTs can now be conducted at specified state and club event-types (Khanacross, S1 Rallysprints and Autocross)

· Clerks of the Course at these events are now permitted to assess OLTs, expanding the assessor pool greatly

· The under-25 age restriction has been removed. All new rally licence applicants must now complete an OLT

“By allowing OLTs to be conducted at more events and expanding the assessor pool, we can deliver a more consistent and accessible pathway into rally.

" THESE CHANGES MAKE IT EASIER FOR ASPIRING RALLY DRIVERS TO TAKE THEIR FIRST STEPS IN THE SPORT, WHILE MAINTAINING THE STANDARDS EXPECTED OF A MOTORSPORT

“Ultimately, the goal is to remove unnecessary barriers and help more drivers safely progress into the discipline.”

To complete an OLT, drivers must hold a current civil driver’s licence or learner’s permit.

A copy of the civil driver’s licence must be submitted with the signed Observed Licence Test Assessment form following

TRACK DAY EVENT TO HEAD TO SANDOWN

A CHARITY DAY TO TAKE PLACE NEXT MONTH WILL BRING TOGETHER FAMILIES FROM ALL OVER THE STATE FOR A DAY OF COMMUNITY AND FUNDRAISING FOR CHILDREN BATTLING ILLNESS.

The event, jointly run between Variety Victoria and the BMW Drivers Club Melbourne, is on the lookout for drivers and vehicle owners to participate at Sandown Raceway on 26 April.

Organisers are also on the lookout for Motorsport Australia licence holders with upto-standard trackworthy cars to entertain families and their children with on-track laps around the nationally-recognised circuit.

BMW Drivers Club Melbourne President and Motorsport Captain Graeme Bell explained the day will provide members with a special opportunity to give back to the community.

“We’re passionate because every lap drive helps change a child’s life and their families too,” Bell said.

“When drivers and businesses come on board it enhances the atmosphere at the event, creating a festival-like buzz.

“Motorsport can be a real force for good, so we’re hoping more people can jump on board to make this day so special.”

Volunteers participating, but not driving, can still play a role. Other ways to take part include displaying a car (any marque is encouraged), capturing photos or video, or sponsoring the event.

Event Secretary and BMW Drivers Club Melbourne Vice President Jo Mawson.

“If we’ve only got one day, we want it to make a difference,” Mawson said.

“Sharing our love of motorsport with families who are facing the toughest of times is incredibly special, it’s about joy, escape and creating memories that last far beyond the track.

“Motorsport brings people together, and if we can use what we love to give a single day of happiness, connection, and excitement, then its absolutely worth it.”

For any enquiries and questions related to the event, contact Jo. via v.president@bmwdcm.com.au or directly via mobile on 0412 661 900.

VICTORIAN SUPER SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP EXPANDS FOR 16TH YEAR

DETAILS SURROUNDING THE MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA VICTORIAN SUPER SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP (VSSC) HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP’S 16TH YEAR, EXPANDING A THREE- TO A FIVE-ROUND CALENDAR TAKING PLACE AT FOUR PREMIER VICTORIAN CIRCUITS IN 2026.

The championship provides a consistent, multi-round structure for Victorian Super Sprint competitors, allowing drivers to compare performance across circuits and across the season rather than at a single event.

Motorsport Australia Chair of the Victorian Super Sprint Panel John Beck is excited on behalf of competitors for the Championship season ahead following ongoing interest among the super sprint community.

“The VSSC is growing because competitors value a structured, multi-round series where they can measure themselves across different circuits during the season,” Beck said.

“Expanding to five rounds in 2026 is a direct reflection of that enthusiasm and the strength of the supersprint community in Victoria, and a special thanks to the WRX Club of Victroria who will host four out of the five rounds this year.

“We’re proud to see this State Championship enter its 16th year and provide a comprehensive state-level pathway for grassroots competitors to showcase their performances and skills.”

As a Motorsport Australia sanctioned state championship, the VSSC offers formal state-level recognition and competition beyond individual club track days, with awards given for both outright and specific class honours.

Mark Bone claimed the outright title in his PRB Clubman with an impressive 288 points for 2025, edging out 2024 winner Adrian Jarvis in the BMW M2 Competition on 286 points.

A rare dead heat for third saw Paul Fixter (Audi TT) and Peter Tomaskovic (BMW M3 Competition) share the outright podium on 272 points apiece.

The VSSC panel has also brought on AutoTread as a Support Partner for the 2026 championship.

The 2026 season begins at Sandown Raceway on 21 March, hosted by WRX Club Victoria.

Last year’s outright and class winners were awarded for their successes at the 2025 Victorian State Awards Nights at Southern Golf Club in Keysborough.

CALDER PARK RACEWAY

HOSTED BY WRX CLUB VICTORIA 22 AUGUST | 2026

HEUZENROEDER MAKES FORMULA 3 DEBUT AT ALBERT PARK

Rising Australian motorsport star Patrick Heuzenroeder made his FIA Formula 3 debut at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

The runner-up in the 2025 GB3 Championship, Heuzenroeder took to the streets of Albert Park in front of his home crowd, racing for the 2025 Formula 3 Teams’ Champions, Campos Racing, to replace an injured Ernesto Riviera.

The opportunity followed strong performances at a recent three-day Formula 3 Official Test in Barcelona, where Heuzenroeder was asked to attend on only a few days’ notice and stepping into FIA F3 machinery for the first time.

Heuzenroeder adapted quickly and demonstrated genuine front-running pace, finishing sixth overall on the final day.

“I’m really pleased to make my Formula 3 debut at my home Grand Prix in Melbourne,” Heuzenroeder said.

“To be able to do this as one of the few Aussies to have been in this paddock is pretty special.

I’m ready to take on the challenge, learn as much as possible and make the most of this.

“I’m extremely grateful to the team and my partners and supporters who are making this happen.”

Originally hailing from Sydney in New South Wales, Heuzenroeder is signed with Campos Racing for the 2026 EuroCup 3 season and recently competed in the Spanish Winter Championship ahead of his main EuroCup 3 campaign, which begins in May.

This year’s Australian Grand Prix celebrated the 60th anniversary of Sir Jack Brabham’s 1966 Formula 1 World Championship.

Coincidentally, Heuzenroeder is mentored by fellow Australian and former Formula 1 driver and Le Mans winner, David Brabham, son of Sir Jack, who was also in the paddock as part of the celebration.

The Melbourne event marked the opening round of the FIA Formula 3 season, providing Heuzenroeder with the opportunity to showcase his talent on motorsport’s biggest stage starting 6 March.

The 2025 Victorian champions have been recognised at the Motorsport Australia State Awards, proudly presented by Shannons.

The evening saw 125 guests attend the Southern Golf Course in Keysborough on 28 February to celebrate the successes and milestones of Victorian participants, officials and clubs. Hosted by Callum Branagan, the event welcomed key leading figures, including Victorian Elected Director, Petrina Astbury, Vice President Motorsport Australia, Margot Foster and Motorsport Australia’s CEO, Josh Blanksby.

“The chance to be present while Victoria’s motorsport community was recognised for the important work they did in 2025 was one I did not want to miss,” Blanksby said.

“From our future stars to lifelong officials and volunteers, each of our award recipients represented the passion and professionalism underpinning the sport across the state.”

“The depth of talent and dedication we have in Victoria is extraordinary and we are incredibly proud to celebrate their contributions.”

Rio Campbell took home the Victorian State Future Star award, celebrated for his exceptional debut season in Hyundai Excel racing, claiming a CERA National round win and multiple race victories in the Victorian State Championship.

VIC AWARD WINNERS CELEBRATED

The Victorian State Event of the Year award was handed to The Bend SuperSprint, delivered through a strong collaboration between the Marque Sports Car Association Victoria & the Porsche Club of Victoria.

Held across 26–27 April 2025, the event brought together 168 competitors and 21 volunteer officials for a fully subscribed and professionally delivered Super Sprint at an international circuit.

Anthony Jenkins was crowned the Victorian State Motorsport Official of the Year, recognised for his outstanding achievements as a Motorsport Australia official. Jenkins has made a significant contribution to official development, playing a key role in delivering the Certified and Accredited Testing Official and Critical Incident Management courses. He is also respected for his leadership, mentoring officials across the country.

Victoria’s Junior Motorsport Official of the Year went to Grace Wang, who has shown consistency and dedication across a wide range of race meetings, supporting her team and having a positive mindset.

The evening also awarded Geoffrey Bull and David Howard as Motorsport Australia Service Stars, celebrated for their devotion to many years supporting, developing, and enriching the sport.

Bull has been a member of the Philip Island Auto Racing Club since 1968, having served as President, Vice-President, Race Secretary, Club Captain, Board Member, and Compliance Checker across 57 years.

Howard has devoted over 40 years to scrutineering and technical oversight in Victorian motorsport. He has served as Scrutineer and Chief Scrutineer for local and state events, as well as major competitions such as the Sandown 500 and the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

Many other individuals were acknowledged with the Motorsport Australia Service Award, for their longstanding commitment to motorsport in Victoria.

This included Peter Wilson, Michael Farrell, Bruce Dollisson, Anthony Jenkins, Frank Black, Jeffrey Birrell, Trevor Franks, Jennifer Campbell, Rebecca Humphreys, Byce Crawford, Graeme Bell, Conner McLeod and David Ford.

The night also acknowledged many club milestones, recognising their longstanding dedication to the motorsport community.

AWARD WINNERS

· Victorian State Motorsport Official of the Year

Anthony Jenkins

· Victorian State Junior Motorsport Official of the Year

Grace Wang

· Victorian State Future Star

Rio Campbell

· Victorian State Event of the Year - “The Bend Supersprint” as State Event of 2025 hosted by the Marque Sports Car Association of Victoria

· Victorian Supersprint Outright Winner

Mark Bone

Albury-Wodonga & Districts Car Club, Bendigo Car Club Inc and Austin 7 Club Inc celebrated an outstanding 75 years, while Saab Car Club of Australia Victoria Inc, Porsche Club of Victoria Inc and Toyota Car Club of Australia Inc hit an impressive 50-year milestone.

On Track 4WD Club, Society of Automotive Engineers

CAREER & MENTORING SUMMIT SETS NEW BENCHMARK AT AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

On Thursday, 5 March, the Motorsport Australia FIA Girls on Track Career & Mentoring Summit brought together eager participants and experienced industry professionals for a day of learning, discussion and career connections at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix.

The 2026 event marks the fifth year in which 20 young women are selected to participate in the FIA Girls on Track Career & Mentoring Summit to kickstart a career in motorsport.

The day commences with small group workshops and mentoring sessions, followed by a networking event hosted by Audi in the Audi Australia Trackside Suite where participants have the opportunity to chat with Audi Revolut F1 Team members, Audi Australia management, motorsport industry personnel, FIA representatives, Supercars personnel and motorsport media.

Hosted by FIA Girls on Track Advocates Kate Peck and Eleanor Baillieu, and attended by 131 guests, the networking event was headlined by a Q&A between World Championship surfer Steph Gilmore, interviewed by Australian Rally Champion Molly Taylor.

For the lucky 20 girls, the experience concluded with a tour of the Audi Revolut F1 Team garage

Summit and everyone involved.

“Seeing so many young women engaging directly with professionals from across the motorsport industry made the Summit incredibly rewarding,” Barlow said.

“The level of enthusiasm and curiosity from the participants showed how valuable this program is.”

Following Thursday’s Summit, in a first for the program, the FIA Girls on Track participants all commenced work experience placements across the entire event, accumulating more than 500 hours of work placement over the four days of racing.

“The work experience component is a new part of the program in 2026,” Barlow said.

“It gives participants meaningful, real-world experience in the many career pathways that exist in motorsport and sets them on a trajectory where they can continue to build on these connections.”

and organisations for their ongoing program support.

· Red Bull Ampol Racing

· Team 18

· Blanchard Racing Team

· Brad Jones Racing

· Supercars Technical Team

· Penrite Racing

· Dick Johnson Racing

· Tickford Racing

· Australian Sports Management

· Octane Events

· Formula 2 and Formula 3

· Audi Revolut F1 Team

For the third year running, two participants identified as highachievers from the previous year’s program were invited back to support the Audi Revolut F1 Team for the Australian Grand Prix, experiencing on of the sport’s elite-level teams in action.

DEVEREAUX’S DEDICATION REWARDED NATIONALLY

Receiving the 2025 Australian Motorsport Official of the Year Award was a surreal moment for Jacqueline Devereaux, who joined a long list of esteemed officials to receive the award at the most recent Motorsport Australia National Awards Gala, presented by Shannons.

An official of more than 24 years, Devereaux was glad to be placed in the same category as her peers, peers she has “an immense amount of respect for”.

“It was humbling, an honour, a big surprise so I was glad I had a little bit of notice to prepare ahead of the night, but I’m still a bit shocked at the recognition and a bit speechless from it I guess,” Devereaux said.

“There’s so much work that goes on behind the scenes, not just myself of course, but everyone who puts hours and hours of effort to assist the sport we love.

“I really feel like this award is a big team effort, which is why I feel a bit bad for my name being on the award when we’re really a great team at the moment with a nice, niche group of people getting on with each other.

From there, Devereaux expanded her skillset to circuit racing and has progressed through roles there.

Beginning as a flag marshal, Devereaux has held roles as a sector marshal, chief marshal, safety car communicator and now setting her sights on becoming a race director.

Devereaux, known for empowering those around her through her supportive and inclusive management style, explained how easy it is for new officials to find a role to become passionate about.

“Officiating is great because there is a role for everyone,” Devereaux added.

“In motorsport, you’ll find a role that you will like doing and we’re all a great, big family. To put it simply, you coming for the racing, but it’s the family element that brings people back.”

"THERE’S SO MUCH WORK THAT GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES, NOT JUST MYSELF OF COURSE, BUT EVERYONE WHO PUTS HOURS AND HOURS OF EFFORT TO ASSIST THE SPORT WE LOVE...

“It’s really exciting to be an official at the moment.”

Devereaux, who played a prominent role at this year’s FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 as the Deputy Chief Marshal, first got her officiating orientation in rally, a less common route for the average official, at the Canberra Rally while attending university.

Motorsport Australia Chief People Officer Nicky Lennon praised Devereaux for her commitment to motorsport, stating the work she does behind the scenes is critical at events.

“It’s how she leads that stands out to me and others around her; measured, thorough, quietly confident, and always looking to improve herself,” Lennon said.

“When people hear her name, they recognise she has done so much for motorsport here in Australia and we’re extremely lucky to have her.”

To become one of the 12,500 registered officials at Motorsport Australia, find out how on the website.

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KARTING AUSTRALIA RECOGNISES CHAMPIONS + CONTRIBUTORS

Karting Australia celebrated the sport’s finest contributors at the 2026 Honours and Awards Dinner, held at the Crowne Plaza Mawson Lakes in South Australia in February in conjunction with the annual Building Better Kart Clubs Conference.

The evening recognised individuals whose achievements and service have shaped Australian karting from grassroots to the international stage.

The evening brought together club leaders, officials, volunteers and industry figures from across the country to reflect on the strength of the karting community and to honour those who have made a lasting impact on the sport’s growth, professionalism and culture.

Darrell Smith, Mark Winterbottom and the late Jim Morton were inducted into the Karting Australia Hall of Fame.

Smith was recognised for a career spanning international racing success and global technical leadership with Rotax, highlighting the professional pathways karting can provide.

Winterbottom’s induction acknowledged one of the most successful karting careers in Australian history, which formed the foundation for his Supercars Championship and Bathurst 1000 victories.

Morton was honoured for his role as a pioneering importer, team owner and mentor whose work with Tony Kart Australia helped launch the careers of many of Australia’s top circuit racers.

Life Memberships was bestowed upon Chris Robinson, Kim Light, Jenny Taylor, Phil Lane and Trish Bartlett for their outstanding and sustained service, while the late Barry Fisher was also honoured with Life Membership in recognition of his lasting contribution to the sport.

Across officiating, governance, administration, event delivery and grassroots development, each recipient has dedicated decades of volunteer effort to strengthening the sport in their respective states and nationally. Their collective contributions have supported safe, fair and professionally run competition while fostering the next generation of competitors and officials.

The Impact on Karting Award was presented to Craig Denton, recognising more than four decades of influence as a competitor, administrator and international delegate. Denton’s leadership in governance reform, safety, and international representation has helped guide Australian karting through significant periods of development.

Karting Australia CEO Kelvin O’Reilly noted that the evening was not only about celebrating individual achievements, but also about recognising the values that underpin the sport.

“Our sport is built on the passion and commitment of people like those recognised. From volunteers at local clubs to those representing Australia on the world stage, their contributions ensure karting continues to thrive,” O’Reilly said.

Held alongside the Building Better Kart Clubs Conference, the dinner formed part of a broader weekend focused on collaboration, knowledge sharing and strengthening the future of the sport.

The 2026 Honours and Awards Dinner served as a reminder that while karting is a starting point for many champions, it is also sustained by the dedication of officials, volunteers and leaders whose legacy extends far beyond the track.

TAYLOR PROMOTED TO GB3 FOR 2026

At just 17-years-old has competed with Fortec in the GB4 Championship for the past two seasons, relocating from his family home in Tasmania, to pursue racing ambitions in the United Kingdom.

As a rookie in 2024, Jack secured a maiden podium and more than a dozen top-10 finishes. He built on that progress last year with two victories, two pole positions, and a further two podium finishes, underlining his continued development.

Taylor was very excited to return to Fortec Motorsports, after a successful past two seasons.

“We’ve worked well together and I’ve made a lot of progress thanks to the team’s support, so I know they are the right place for me as I step up to GB3,” Taylor said.

FORTEC MOTORSPORT HAS ANNOUNCED AUSTRALIAN OPENWHEEL DRIVER JACK TAYLOR WILL RETURN TO THE TEAM IN 2026, STEPPING UP TO THE GB3 CHAMPIONSHIP.

“I’ve had a strong winter racing in New Zealand and I’m looking forward to lining up on the grid at Silverstone in April, so a big thank you to Megapoxy, European Stone Masons, and of course Fortec for making this possible.”

Taylor has built up a strong preseason, after returning closer to home to compete in the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy in New Zealand. He claimed pole position at Taupō and recorded two top-five finishes at Teretonga, ending the campaign third in the Rookie standings.

Now preparing for the next step in his career, Jack is set to contest the opening three rounds of the GB3 Championship as he continues discussions around funding and sponsorship, with the aim of securing a full-season programme.

“Jack has developed enormously over the past two seasons with us. His progression from consistent points-finisher to race winner shows both his natural ability and his commitment to improvement,” Team Principal Oliver Dutton said.

“This is a significant step up, particularly given the quality of circuits and competition, but we believe he is ready for the challenge.

“Our focus will be on helping him adapt quickly and build momentum from the opening rounds.”

The 2026 GB3 season begins at Silverstone in April with rounds at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and the Hungaroring in Hungary early in the campaign. Six of the eight events throughout the entire season will take place at Formula 1 venues.

" THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT STEP UP, PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE QUALITY OF CIRCUITS AND COMPETITION, BUT WE BELIEVE HE IS READY FOR THE CHALLENGE."

BEGINNERS’ GUIDE WHAT IS ESPORTS?

Esports is short for electronic sports, using video games to play your favourite sports from the comfort of your own home.

However, as technology has improved, many established racing stars are using Esports to sharpen their skills, the winner of four of the past five Formula 1 championships, Max Verstappen, being the most high-profile example.

The appeal is obvious. After the initial set up there are no more eyewatering costs. You can do endless laps without having to pay for tyres or maintenance or entry fees, you can drive all over the world on any surface and in any car, from humble hatchbacks to Formula 1.

Most importantly, if things go awry and your talent runs out, repairing the car is as simple as selecting ‘Restart’.

To get started, you’ll need a PC or gaming console and while there are plenty of games titles that can be successfully played with a controller, to get the most out of your esports experience we would recommend getting a steering wheel and pedals setup.

Entry-level games include Gran Turismo, Forza Motorsport and the mainstream Formula 1 series, that are all more accessible with more forgiving handling.

THE

HANDLING IS REALISTIC, THE SET-UP OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS AND THE COMPETITION IS FIERCE ...

If you want to get more serious, then the likes of Assetto Corsa are a good place to start for tarmac racers, and Assetto Corsa Rally for rally enthusiasts. To really immerse yourself in the world of digital motorsport, however, you’ll need a PC and platforms such as iRacing or Assetto Corsa Competizione. This is where the elite Esports drivers hang out, many of whom have made the jump to real racing.

These aren’t simulator platforms you pick up and master. The handling is realistic, the set-up options are endless and the competition is fierce, but on the plus side the skills are transferable to the real world.

Esports provides a great bridge to providing an insight into what it’s like behind the wheel of an actual car and with the option alter the difficulty of one’s own Esports experience, you can go at it at your own pace.

Getting a Motorsport Australia Esports Licence allows you to jump into the world of Motorsport Australia Esports with some great benefits and exclusive opportunities including the following all at the affordable price of $40.

Best of all, if you already hold an active Motorsport Australia competition licence, this licence is free of charge upon application.

MICHELE DU BUISSON

AN OFFICIATING LEADER OF THE FUTURE

Following a busy Australian Grand Prix weekend at Albert Park, plenty of officials made considerable positive impacts on the event. Michele Du Buisson was one of them, continuing her progression up the officials ranks as a potential leader in the coming months and years.

Cairns-based official Michele Du Buisson has become an integral part of officiating crews in recent years, providing her services at several national events around the country.

A General Official with Motorsport Australia since April 2024, Michele is coming up to her two-year milestone. Furthermore, Michele has specialised her officials skillset to circuit racing, completing her accreditation as a Bronze Circuit Official in July 2025.

Michele most recently took part in the Australian Grand Prix as a Pit Sector Marshal, looking after general pit lane officials in her capacity as an experienced member of the team.

Pit Lane Chief at the Grand Prix Rhys CarletonCarlos was impressed by Michele’s professionalism and direction provided to her team.

Having worked alongside Michele at several nationallevel events previously, namely Supercars and last year’s Adelaide Grand Final, Rhys has seen Michele’s proficiency in her roles first-hand.

“The feedback I received from Michele’s team was extremely positive,” CarletonCarlos told Motorsport Australia.

“You can sit down with Michele before an event and explain what the task is and Michele gets it, you know.

“She follows the correct processes really nicely, so I think she would develop into a great senior official in the future.

“She’s good already, but she’s a potential future leader in my eyes, which is nice to see as a senior official.”

To thank Michele for his invaluable contribution to the sport, he will receive a $100 Supercheap Auto gift card, commemorative pin and certificate.

Do you know someone like Michele; a Motorsport Australia official who deserves to be recognised for going above and beyond their duty?

Nominate now and your friend could win a $100 Supercheap Auto gift card, commemorative pin, and certificate - with their story shared in Speed Read.

SUBMIT NOMINATION

DBA RENEWS MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA PARTNERSHIP

Disc Brakes Australia (DBA) will continue as the Official Braking Partner of Motorsport Australia in 2026.

The renewed partnership underscores DBA’s dedication to performance, safety and innovation across the national motorsport landscape.

DBA is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with Motorsport Australia for 2026, continuing a strong and collaborative relationship supporting competitors across the country.

As the Official Braking Partner of Motorsport Australia, DBA will continue to support high-performance braking solutions to a motorsport community that spans grassroots competitors through to national-level categories.

“Motorsport represents the ultimate proving ground for our braking technology. The insights we gain from working closely with competitors, teams and officials help us continually refine and improve our products.

" MOTORSPORT REPRESENTS THE ULTIMATE PROVING GROUND FOR OUR BRAKING TECHNOLOGY. THE INSIGHTS WE GAIN FROM WORKING CLOSELY WITH COMPETITORS, TEAMS AND OFFICIALS HELP US CONTINUALLY REFINE AND IMPROVE OUR PRODUCTS."

With more than five decades of engineering and manufacturing expertise, DBA remains committed to delivering advanced braking technology designed and tested in some of the most demanding environments in Australian motorsport.

DBA Head of Marketing Jessica Millard said the extension reinforces the company’s longstanding commitment to the sport.

“We’re proud to extend our partnership with Motorsport Australia for 2026,” Millard said.

“Our continued partnership ensures we remain closely connected to the motorsport community while supporting performance, reliability and safety at every level of competition.”

DBA is Australia’s leading manufacturer of premium aftermarket disc brake rotors and braking solutions. Established in 1976, DBA designs, engineers and manufactures highperformance braking products for passenger vehicles, 4WDs, commercial vehicles and motorsport applications.

Motorsport Australia CEO Josh Blanksby welcomed the renewal of the partnership.

“DBA has been an important and valued partner of Motorsport Australia,” Blanksby said.

“Their commitment to innovation and performance aligns strongly with the needs of our competitors and the broader motorsport community.”

DBA products are exported to more than 30 countries worldwide, supporting distributors, workshops and performance specialists across international markets.

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BEETON IMPRESSES

AT INDYNXT TESTING AHEAD OF SEASON OPENER

The transition from Formula 3 to IndyNXT has been one of learning for 18-year-old competitor and HMD Motorsport driver Jack Beeton, as he sets his sights on podiums in 2026.

Beeton, who made the jump in the back half of 2025 from Formula Regional Europe to the United States’ premier open-wheel category, is fresh off a productive two days of testing in Miami as he gathers momentum for the upcoming series.

“The adjustment from F3 Regional and Europe to IndyNXT has been exciting and refreshing,” Beeton said.

“I’ve really enjoyed the challenge, and the team has made the transition smooth. It feels like a natural next step for me.

“Starting testing on a positive note gives me a lot of confidence heading into Round 1. It’s reassuring to see the preparation paying off, but I’m staying grounded and focused on continuing that progress.

“The Miami circuit used for Formula 1 was a really cool experience. I’ve watched those races here on TV back at home, so to do laps around this iconic circuit was special for me personally.”

Beeton has undergone a major shift in his training for 2026. Physically, he focused on building more strength to handle the demands of the car, especially with the different tracks on offer in the US.

Jack noted it will be a big challenge adapting to the variety of the series, but a challenge he looks forward to welcoming.

Mentally, Beeton is in a good place after a challenging 2025 season. Technically, Beeton has also spent time reviewing data and refining his race craft while observing improvements in multiple areas.

The Gold Coaster will be one of three Australian competitors to make up the grid, joining Andretti’s Lochie Hughes, another Gold Coaster, and fellow rookie and Cusick Motorsports’ Nicolas Stati for the season. Hughes returns for his second season in IndyNXT and Stati makes his Indy NXT after various stints in several categories in 2025.

Beeton was timed doing the fastest lap on the first day of testing, Hughes finished the opening day of testing in second and third on day two, while Stati logged the second most laps on the final day of testing with 168.

Beeton said the Aussie contingent on the grid was a good indication of the strength of Australian motorsport talent, although the feelings of national pride are promptly put to the side during live racing.

“It’s great having a couple of other Aussies in the field. Motorsport can be a small world, so having familiar faces around makes it feel a bit like home,” Beeton added.

“At the same time, once the helmet goes on, we’re all competitors pushing for the same thing.

“My goals for 2026 are to be consistently fighting at the front and challenging for podiums and wins. I want to show clear progression from last year and establish myself as a serious title contender.

“Most importantly, I want to maximise every opportunity and keep improving each weekend. I’m just really grateful for the opportunity. America has been incredibly welcoming, and I feel at home with this new team.”

ROB ROY REVIVAL TO FEATURE ITALIAN FLAIR

THE FOURTH ANNUAL ROB ROY REVIVAL HEADS BACK TO ROB ROY HILLCLIMB IN THE YARRA VALLEY FROM 28-29 MARCH FOR A FESTIVAL OF HISTORIC MOTORSPORT, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND MID-20TH CENTURY PERIOD ATMOSPHERE.

Broken up into two parts, the event’s main festivities will take place on Sunday with the addition of live music, fashion shows and the historic picnic races to entertain spectators.

The Rob Roy Revival comprises over 80 invited historic racing cars competing on the hillclimb track. Conducted by the MG Car Club Victoria, cars will run in classes for sports cars, racing cars and touring cars.

“We will be celebrating Italian Automotive Excellence at this year’s Revival,” MG Car Club Vice President Tony Lupton said.

“The great marques including Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Ferrari, Lancia and Fiat will be represented at this year’s event.

“A bonus this year is the inclusion of the Gaze’s Gully Classic Concours d’Elegance, showcasing some of the finest cars and motorcycles in Australia. This gives visitors two outstanding events rolled into one.”

Australian Champion Driver, Australian motorsport legend and Hall of Fame inductee John Bowe AM will contribute to the event in the form of the Event Patron.

Bowe, a prominent advocate for prostate cancer, will collaborate with the MG Car Club and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia at the event to raise funds for prostate cancer awareness, research and support.

The Rob Roy Revival is a great outing for motorsport lovers, classic car admirers and anyone who

enjoys a picnic atmosphere and is located only 45 minutes from Melbourne in Smiths Gully.

“The Rob Roy Revival recreates the atmosphere of 1940s to 70s motorsport, with spectators encouraged to dress in period style,” Lupton added.

“Hay bales, white picket fencing and officials in period dress will add to the atmosphere. For the general spectator, it’s’s a wonderful chance to bring a picnic lunch or enjoy the gourmet food available while watching a spectacular form of motorsport.”

Visitors are encouraged to wear their best vintage 50s and 60s gear and join in the revival spirit.

There will be practice sessions and some competitive hill climb runs from as early as Saturday afternoon.

Clean Air. Clean Power

“We always have a can of CRC Throttle Body and Air Intake Cleaner in the workshop for working on cars. It restores engine performance with just a simple spray. You can’t ask for better than that, and a single can lasts for ages!”

45TH YEAR METHOD RACE WHEELS JUMPS ABOARD FOR AORC’S

Motorsport Australia has entered into an agreement confirming Method Race Wheels as the Prologue Wheels and Official Wheels and Prologue Naming Rights Partner of the 2026 Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC).

The partnership locks in a major support boost for the Championship in its historic 45th year, which will feature across four rounds in 2026.

Method Race Wheels Australia & New Zealand Brand Manager Briony Taylor expressed excitement surrounding the partnership, outlining the historic year the AORC will reach in 2026.

Method Race Wheels is a premium wheel brand known for rugged performance, cutting-edge design, and true motorsport heritage. Built for off-road enthusiasts, racers, and adventure seekers, Method Race Wheels are purpose-engineered to tackle the toughest terrain with strength, durability and confidence.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the AORC in such a significant year for the Championship,” Taylor said.

“To partner with Australia’s original off road series during its 45th year anniversary is a fantastic milestone, and we’re excited to support competitors.

“Off road racing is at the heart of what we do, and this partnership allows us to connect directly with the passionate AORC community, while also offering a catalogue built to perform in the toughest conditions.

“We’re looking forward to being around the course, engaging with competitors and fans, and showcasing the strength and performance of our products.”

Motorsport Australia members will also benefit from the partnership, with special offers from Method Race Wheels on offer through the Motorsport Australia Member Rewards platform.

With a strong presence in off-road racing events like Baja, Dakar Rally, and King of the Hammers, the brand has earned a reputation for producing wheels that combine lightweight construction with exceptional strength and will fit in prominently among Australia’s dedicated off road community.

Motorsport Australia Off Road Manager Campbell Smith is looking forward to Method Race Wheels having an increased presence at each event this season.

“It’s fantastic to welcome Method Race Wheels as a naming rights partner for the Prologue and a major supporter of the Championship,” Smith said.

“Their reputation in global off road racing makes them a perfect fit for the AORC, and we’re excited to see them involved across all four rounds in this milestone 45th season.”

More on Method Race Wheels can be viewed on its Australian website.

DESERTPOONCARIEDASHENTRIES OPEN FOR

The 2026 Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship’s (AORC) opening round is now open for entries, as part of the Championship’s refreshed four-round structure.

Held over the second weekend of April, the Wentworth Shire Pooncarie Desert Dash on 10-12 April will push crews across more than 441 kilometres during the event.

Desert Dash participants will arrive for Scrutineering on Friday 10 April before the official action begins on the morning of Saturday 11 April with Prologue.

Click here to read the Supplementary Regulations.

Following on from Prologue, where crews will take on the 9.5km short course to determine starting positions, the event’s first section will run later that afternoon with one lap of the 105.5km course.

Participating crews will then complete the event’s remaining three laps (316.5km). The format for Section 2 will be two laps run continuously, followed by a 45 minute service break, followed by the final lap.

Hosted by the Sunraysia Motor Sport Club, interested AORC and SXS Motorsport Australia Championship crews have until 7pm AEDT on Friday 27 March to enter.

Head to the Motorsport Australia Member Entry Portal to secure entry now.

Due to the extreme drought conditions currently being experienced in the region, entry places will be limited this year and competitors are advised to get their entry in as soon as possible.

Entries can be made via the Motorsport Australia Member Portal's Event Entry service.

MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA MAINTAINS THREE-STAR FIA ENVIRONMENTAL RATING

Motorsport Australia will continue its standing as an ASN leader in environmentally efficient head office operations, securing a three-star level certification within FIA Environmental Accreditation Program.

The FIA’s Environmental Accreditation Program is an initiative introduced by the FIA to help motorsport organisations around the world quantify and enhance their environmental performance in order to facilitate improvements in motorsport sustainability worldwide.

The FIA conducted an audit in January 2026 to determine Motorsport Australia had continued to show strong commitment to environmental management and sustainability.

Motorsport Australia CEO Josh Blanksby said the commitment to the

FIA’s Environmental Accreditation Program remains a priority.

“It is a certification we are proud of as an organisation, and by achieving a high standard within the program’s framework, this is a clear marker of Motorsport Australia’s commitment to meaningful, measurable environmental action,” Blanksby said.

Motorsport Australia Environmental Working Group Chair Nicky Lennon stated the governing body keeping its three-star status within the FIA Environmental Accreditation program reinforced Motorsport Australia’s commitment to environmental performance.

“Maintaining our three star certification status is a great achievement,” Lennon said.

“To be recognised again at the FIA’s highest level reinforces

that this is not a short-term success, but an ongoing one.

“The certification is not guaranteed, it is the result of consistent effort, strong systems and the dedication from our entire team.

“As a governing body we are determined to keep building on this foundation and are grateful to everyone whose commitment has helped secure and sustain our three-star standing.”

Motorsport Australia first obtained its level three certification in November 2020 following a rigorous accreditation process that included a detailed evaluation of Motorsport Australia’s environmental management plan and its commitment to best practices and continual improvement.

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CHRIS PIGGOTT

1956 - 2026

Motorsport Australia joins the wider motorsport community in mourning the loss of Chris Piggott, following his passing in late-February.

Chris made an indelible mark on the New South Wales motorsport community, founding the Raleigh International Raceway in 1988.

In 1980, then aged 24 and a motorsport enthusiast, Chris had a vision of building a racetrack on his family property.

With his parents’ blessing he applied to Council for permission to construct an autocross circuit.

Approval to start construction was given and in 1982 Chris designed and constructed a dirt track, a distance of 1,300 metres, and in 1983 the first event was held.

In 1985 Chris received approval for a dirt go kart track of approximately 500 metres. In 1987 the surface went to bitumen and the canteen building and tower were erected.

The year 1987 marked the formation of the Raleigh Kart Club and Raleigh Raceway was officially opened on 13 March 1988.

In 1990 Raleigh International Raceway became affiliated with CAMS (now known as Motorsport Australia) for karting.

Then in 1992, Chris had an opportunity to hold international events for karting, encouraging him to upgrade his circuit, increasing its length to 1,050m.

In 1993, the first International was held at Raleigh International Raceway with competitors from overseas and Australia, attracting 5,000 spectators, a major milestone for Chris and his team.

In 2009, drifting was introduced at Raleigh Raceway and in the same year Chris decided to build a Saloon Car, Falcon AU.

Chris entered the car in a support category, with his son as driver, at Bathurst, Phillip Island, Mallala, Sandown, Eastern Creek and Warwick. The team went on to win the 2010 Championship in the NSW Saloon Car Series.

Major events to take place at the raceway over the years include Aussie Legends, Bandag Bullet, VW Spectacular, Hotrods for over 20 years, Ford Kartstars, stages of the World Rally Championship on multiple occasions and Supermotard.

Chris continued to promote grassroots motorsport at Raleigh International Raceway until his passing. His generous nature, knowledge and smile will be missed by all.

Motorsport Australia extends condolences to Chris’ three children Bradley, Rachel and Daniel, sister Amanda and brother Brett. Vale Chris.

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