Dane hosts Girls on Track at Sydney Motorsport Park

Young girls keen to get involved in motorsport have been given the opportunity to get up close to the Repco Supercars Championship, with the FIA Girls on Track program held at Sydney Motorsport Park.

For girls aged eight to 18, the free event ran ahead of the third consecutive weekend of Supercars action at the Eastern Creek venue.

Tuesday's event saw the group take part in simulator and pit stop challenges, as well as STEM exercises and other motorsport-based activities.

FIA Girls on Track ambassador and Triple Eight Race Engineering co-owner Jess Dane hosted the event, alongside professional driver Charlotte Poynting and Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Deputy Race Director Jessica Nicholson.

Dane, who facilitated launching the program in Australia, said the initiative is a great way for young girls to learn more about what motorsport has to offer.

“The fantastic thing about Girls on Track is that we are reaching girls at two different ends of the spectrum," Dane told Supercars.com.

"We have girls with families that seen them grow up being involved in the sport and have been coming to the track since they were young, then we're also reaching girls who would have never really been exposed to motorsport before.

"Being able to show them this is something for them and this industry is open to them if they want to pursue it.

"It's not only showing them what it's all about, its showing them that if there's anything they want to achieve, they absolutely can and there shouldn't be any hesitation about them ever wanting to chase their dreams, whether that's in motorsport, or something completely the opposite end of the spectrum."

Aimed at growing interest in STEM subjects and industries amongst school-aged girls, the program looks to increase female participation in the sector and highlight career paths within motorsport.

Held while the Supercars field are completing four rounds at the Sydney circuit, the girls completed a tour of the Red Bull Ampol Racing garage and spoke with the engineering team.

The FIA Girls on Track program is a global, non-for-profit initiative, first launched by former Formula 1 development driver Susie Wolff as 'Dare To Be Different'.

In Australia, the program is backed by Motorsport Australia and Driving Solutions, offering girls a unique opportunity to participate in the free Girls on Track events.

Programs are run across the country with 5 events planned throughout 2021.

For more information head to https://www.motorsport.org.au/events/girlsontrack

The 2021 Repco Supercars Championship will resume this weekend at the BP Ultimate Sydney SuperSprint.

Every session of the event will be broadcast live on Foxtel (Fox Sports 506) and streamed on Kayo. The Seven Network will showcase highlights of the event.

Tickets for the three upcoming Sydney events are on sale now.