Women driving change in motorsport

The growing momentum behind women entering motorsport

As Supercars prepares to arrive in Ōtautahi Christchurch this April, ChristchurchNZ is shining a light on the women driving momentum across the motorsport world. From Supercars’ increasing focus on gender equity to hands-on engineering workshops at the University of Canterbury, women are carving out meaningful pathways in motorsport – both behind the wheel and behind the scenes.

Why are more women finding their place in the motorsport industry?

Motorsport has long been a male‑dominated industry, but that’s changing. Across Australasia and right here in Christchurch, more women are firmly finding their place, and plenty of success, within the sport.

Supercars is helping lead that shift. The championship has made sustained female representation a key focus, creating clearer entry points for women across engineering, operations, officiating, commercial roles and on‑track performance. Their goal? A more inclusive, diverse and future‑ready sport.

Progress is already visible. In 2024, PremiAir Racing’s Romy Mayer became the first female race engineer in Supercars history to score a pole and podium. Data engineers Bea Vear and Emma Cliffe continue to contribute crucial performance insights for their teams, and female leadership is growing too — with Kate Harrington becoming Supercars’ first full‑time female Team Manager and Betty Klimenko continuing her trailblazing role as a team owner at Erebus.

Behind the wheel, the talent is just as impressive. This year, Alice Buckley will compete in the Dunlop Super2 Series, making her the fourth woman ever to compete in this league. Considered one of the strongest female prospects to secure a full‑time Supercars drive, 18-year-old Buckley will be the only female driver on the grid as she competes in the Supercars feeder category.

Supercars Head of Government Relations Renee Shawcross says, “Our SuperGEMS program, our Women in Motorsport initiatives and our expanding technical and operational pathways are designed to ensure young women can see a future for themselves in this sport. We’re proud to see more women entering engineering, operations, management, and driving roles each year, and we’re focused on strengthening these pathways even further.”

How is the University of Canterbury supporting future women engineers?

This focus on meaningful pathways can be found right here in Ōtautahi.

Each January, the University of Canterbury’s Women in Engineering Residential Programme (WiE CAN) brings female high‑school students from around the country for a hands‑on week exploring engineering.

This year the University’s Motorsport Club (UCM) got involved, aligning with Supercars coming to Christchurch. Their workshop introduced students to foundational mechanical concepts of motorsport engineering, having them build a car and race against their fellow students. For many, the camp offers a first taste of the career pathways engineering can offer.

Senior Residential Assist Jordan Hill attended the first-ever Women in Engineering Camp as a Year 13 student and is now completing her PhD at UC. She helps deliver the camp each year and says it’s inspiring to see young women discover new possibilities in traditionally male‑dominated fields.

The camp brings 60 students to Christchurch each year, giving many their first experience of university life. And for nearly half, it’s what inspires them to return to UC to study engineering.

Jordan believes exposure is key to breaking down barriers, helping young women see themselves thriving in industries like motorsport.

Why is early exposure important for women pursuing motorsport careers?

UCM President Moss Benton agrees. He’s seen firsthand how early experiences can spark passion and lead to real careers. One standout example is former UCM Team Principal Isha Patel, who is now a data engineer at Triple Eight Race Engineering in Supercars.

Each year, UCM compete in Formula Student – where they design, build and race a half‑size Formula One‑style car. Moss says the club helps students turn theory into real‑world engineering.

“You’re not just solving theoretical problems, you’re designing, building, testing, and competing with a real car under real pressure. It’s incredibly rewarding, and it also creates a strong sense of team culture and shared purpose.”

For many students, UCM is their first introduction to motorsport. What begins as curiosity quickly becomes a pathway into one of the world’s most technically demanding and exhilarating industries.

“Some members come in already passionate about motorsport, but many don’t. A lot of students join because they’re interested in engineering and want hands-on experience. For many, motorsport becomes the hook once they see how complex and exciting the engineering behind it really is.”

Closing the gender gap in sport, especially in male dominated fields like motorsport, will take time, but the momentum is unmistakable. This progress in motorsport shows that early exposure matters, from student programmes opening doors to careers, to visible role models proving what’s possible.

One thing is for sure: women’s presence in motorsport is stronger than ever, with trailblazers helping shape the future of a sport they once could only watch trackside.

Key takeaways

• More women are entering roles across all areas of motorsport, from engineering and data analysis to leadership.
• Supercars prioritises gender equity with clear pathways for women, through initiatives like SuperGEMS and Women in Motorsport programmes.
• The University of Canterbury’s Women in Engineering Programme and UC Motorsport Club give young women valuable early exposure to engineering.
• Local pathways are connecting Christchurch talent to global motorsport roles, including former UC Motorsport student Isha Patel who now works for Supercars as a data engineer.