Imogen Radburn, a 20-year-old driver from the South Coast of New South Wales, is at the forefront of Australia’s first all-female motorsport team.
Currently, she is participating in the Mustang Cup, a touring series that spans across Australia. Radburn’s ambition is to cultivate a sustainable team that opens doors for women in the motorsport industry.
When Radburn decided to establish her all-female racing team last year, she initially feared she might not find enough women to fill the necessary roles. However, after reaching out for recruits, she was surprised to receive 70 applications for just two work experience positions from aspiring candidates across the nation.
“I discovered there are many girls eager to get involved in motorsport, not only as drivers but in various capacities,” she remarked. “It’s about creating opportunities and breaking down barriers.”
Aside from her father and partner, Radburn’s team consists entirely of women, including her engineer, mechanic, operations manager, and truck driver, all hailing from different regions of Australia. Based in Nowra, Radburn is competing in the Mustang Cup, a series where all participants drive a Ford Mustang Dark Horse, either leased or purchased from the manufacturer.
Transitioning from dance to racing, Radburn finds herself as the sole female competitor in the Mustang Cup series, a scenario she has grown accustomed to. Having started with go-karting in her teenage years and recently participating in Formula 4 in Europe, her racing experiences have predominantly involved competing against male drivers.
“I grew up dancing, where there were no boys, and now I find myself in the opposite situation,” she explained. “I enjoy the challenge of proving myself and take pleasure in outperforming my male counterparts.”
Radburn has garnered support from Motorsport Australia’s Girls on Track initiative, which aims to provide practical experience for girls and young women aged 8 to 22 in the motorsport field. Charlie Barlow, a development manager at Motorsport Australia, praised Radburn’s achievements, stating, “Imogen has made significant strides not just as a racer but as a woman in this sport. She exemplifies the ethos of ensuring that when doors are opened, other women can walk through them as well.”
Barlow noted that Radburn’s leadership is paving the way for women across the nation to explore hands-on roles in the industry, demonstrating that, regardless of one’s background, dreams can be realized.
Natasha Smith, Radburn’s mechanic, made history as the first woman to win the Technician Champion award at Toyota’s National Skills competition in 2019 and has since become a respected figure among mechanics in Australia. “With more women entering the field, we are in a position to uplift others,” she stated. “The leading women are paving the way for the next generation.”
Smith acknowledged Radburn’s connections within the industry, highlighting the distinction of having a well-established team rather than a hastily assembled one. “Imogen has surrounded herself with top-tier professionals, which sets this team apart,” she added.
Expressing her enthusiasm about the team, Smith said, “It’s amazing to be chosen to lead the mechanical side, and I hope our team exemplifies the advantages of strong leadership in a male-dominated environment. Female participants often have to work twice as hard to gain equal recognition in the industry.”
Radburn’s motivation for starting her own racing team stemmed from frustration over the high costs associated with competing. To build her team, she utilized her network to fill essential roles and secure sponsorships. Recently, her team refurbished an old B-double truck to transport their race car and provide accommodation.
“Motorsport is notoriously expensive, and owning a team is one of the few ways to be financially viable. There is no guarantee of payment for every race, so we aimed to ensure longevity for the next decade,” Radburn explained.
Despite facing mechanical issues that cut her first race short after just four laps at Phillip Island on March 29, Radburn is now preparing for the next round of the six-part series at The Bend in South Australia. “While there is a significant market for the team I am building, competing against Australia’s top teams will be quite challenging,” she noted. “With eight Supercar drivers in the mix, it will be tough, but we are looking forward to the challenge.”
