Women-only program drives into state finals
A women-only driving program, launched in this region, is a finalist in the 2022 Motor Trades Association (MTA) Queensland Industry Gala Awards.
‘She’s in Control’, run by Brendale-based Skid Control, teaches women, with a “passion for driving”, skills such as steering, vision and controlling a slide.
The sessions, which include skid pan, khanacross and rallying, were devised after instructors noticed women attending training, but few taking part.
“Girls and women were coming along as perhaps wives and girlfriends of men, but few were taking part,” said Hannah Busch, an instructor and photographer.
Controlled setting
“We wondered why aren’t they out there (on the track)? It seemed some didn’t feel comfortable going on a track at the same time as men.
“It may have been unintentional intimidation by guys, so we started sessions in safe, controlled setting for women.”
She’s in Control, held at tracks including Lakeside in Kurwongbah, uses a skid pan for controlling a car in the wet and khanacross for handling a car over short sprints.
Since introducing She’s in Control, there has been a significant increase in female participation from around 10-15 per month to more than 30.
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Women in Industry
The program has also been recognised at state level and is now a finalist in the Women in Industry section of the MTA awards.
The team of instructors includes Kaylin Duffield, a founding member of Skid Control and instructor for the women’s events who has been a big advocate for women in motorsport.
Hannah Busch is a circuit racing enthusiast who is part of the pit crew for the Levitt Motorsport’s Mercedes C63 in the Australian and Queensland Production Car series.
Michelle Van Der Wilk has been rallying at a state level for a number of years. For the past two, Kass Brumley has been her as navigator, forming one of the few all-female teams.
Awards night
Michelle has won the Queensland Novice Rally Series as a co-driver (2017) and driver (2019). Kass was a Canon Collective Ambassador, teaching photographers her craft.
Zara Waller has been instrumental in creating a women-in-motorsport community, helping others become involved through social media.
The 2022 MTS Queensland Industry Awards Gala is being held on November 19 at the Emporium Hotel, South Bank.
Skid Control offers driver training for advanced level skills to all levels of participants as well as a chance to try a skid pan, drift, rally and khanacross track across South East Queensland.
The Motor Trades Association of Queensland represents the interests of employers in retail, repair and service sectors of the industry.