Motorsports students at Wodonga TAFE launched their careers last weekend with the start of the 2006 race season at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide. The Motorsports Training Australia (MTA) assault took place in pit lane with 25 students actively participating as race crew.

Leading the way was Sonia Olsen, 23 who was offered the chance of a lifetime with the opportunity to work as a part of the Lowndes 888 racing team.

Breaking ground as a female in a male dominated industry, Olsen took her place with the data technicians who are responsible for ensuring race strategy and vehicle performance is monitored.

Commencing Certificate III Motorsports students hit the track after only eight weeks of learning.  Practical placement took place in the V8 Ute teams including DBA Racing, Coopers Racing and Action Racing.

A large contingent of students assisted with the Aussie Race car series including the new BJR, BOC Gases Aussie Race Car. Students also worked with Sonic racing in the Formula Ford series.

Remaining students headed to Oran Park, Sydney, preparing and maintaining the cars for the U-Drive Formula Ford track days.

After a hectic schedule in Adelaide, students are now preparing for a quick turn around for this weekend’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne.

MTA students are in demand for employment opportunities within the Australian and International motorsports industry.

Motorsports Co-ordinator, Jim Papas said only six weeks into the course, one student has obtained employment as head mechanic with ex-race driver Peter Doulman’s new National Formula Ford team. 

“Graduating students from last year have obtained good employment outcomes including a student working as second mechanic with the Carlin Motorsport Formula 3 race team based in England. Past students are now working at Stone Brothers Racing and many of the other V8 Supercar teams,” Papas said.