Claire Redfern has been appointed to fulfil formal responsibilities at all Shannons SpeedSeries events in 2026 as she advances to Level 2 of the SRO Empower Program, taking on the role of Peer Mentor.
In conjunction with a new initiative from FIA Girls on Track, Redfern will serve as a Peer Mentor for the current Level 1 participants during this year’s SpeedSeries events. This category will also grant her valuable, hands-on experience in the field.
The Level 2 Peer Mentor functions as a leader, primary contact, and support for new Level 1 program members.
After attending the GT Festival at Phillip Island in March, Redfern expressed her excitement over this remarkable and fulfilling opportunity.
“Reflecting on last year’s experience, which I thoroughly enjoyed, it’s an honour to be selected to join the SRO event team as part of this program,” Redfern commented.
“Not only does it enhance my passion for a career in motorsport, but it also expands my skillset, making this year incredibly motivating and affirming.”
“I see this as a uniquely valuable opportunity within the Shannons SpeedSeries, allowing me to continue honing my abilities while gaining deeper insights into this fast-paced industry.”
Aside from her mentoring duties, Redfern will be responsible for creating and managing the participant schedule for each event, and she will attend one online pre-event briefing per occasion.
Redfern will also collaborate with the SRO Event & Category management team on various event operational tasks such as accreditation, VIP hospitality, team hospitality, category management, media centre functions, and race control, as outlined in the event roster.
“During my time at Phillip Island, the Level 1 participants and I were engaged in various roles that offered a comprehensive experience in event operations,” Redfern noted.
“This included supporting media coordination, such as crafting Instagram posts and writing race reports, assisting in hospitality, and helping to ensure the event ran smoothly—right down to the thrilling podium celebrations.”
“Having the chance to work closely with different departments allowed me to better understand how each segment plays a role in the event’s overall success, highlighting the contributions of everyone involved in crafting a successful race weekend.”
Motorsport Australia’s Development Manager, Charlie Barlow, highlighted the significance of expanding opportunities through the FIA Girls on Track programme.
“We are thrilled to see the Empower Program continue to evolve, offering clear pathways for young women in motorsport to acquire substantial, practical experience,” Barlow stated.
“Claire’s advancement into the mentorship role exemplifies how the programme is instilling confidence in our future industry leaders.”
SRO Motorsports Australia Series Manager, Matleena Pukkila, underscored the necessity of integrating emerging talent into the industry.
“Last year’s pilot demonstrated the program’s potential, providing participants with valuable work experience, fostering industry connections, and facilitating their entry into roles,” Pukkila explained.
“We look forward to collaborating with Claire once more following her exceptional contributions at Level 1 in 2025, as she transitions to a Level 2 mentor role in 2026. Together with Motorsport Australia, SRO continues to harness the Shannons SpeedSeries platform to create opportunities for new talent to enter this field.”
For additional information on the FIA Girls on Track Empower Program, visit the Motorsport Australia website.
Compiled by SportArena.au.
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