Nine years ago I was invited to Phillip Island to watch a season champion competing in State Saloon Cars and became hooked. Before then I had only ever ventured down to the Island to watch the annual Australian Moto GP and knew relatively little about motorsport or car racing. I did know, however, that I enjoyed the spectacle and excitement and wanted to get more involved. I subsequently spent nearly two years learning the sport from inside the pit crew before deciding it was my turn to take a lead.
With limited mechanical experience and no support structure I initially opted to lease a race car. The Aussie Racing Cars (Circuit and Street Circuit Racing category) came up in my research and I knew this was the right vehicle for me (excuse the pun). These cars achieve a top speed of 230 KMH, are enclosed yet single seated with sequential gearing. With a fiberglass body, motorcycle engine and incredible power‐to‐weight ratio I knew piloting this would not carry racing habits back onto the street and this was very important to me in my desire to not run a modified production car. The Aussie Racing Cars category is a V8 Supercar support category. The cars are purpose built race cars and the Aussie Racings Cars manufacturer is now the largest producer of circuit racing cars in Australia.
Circuit racing, on tarmac, also appealed to me as the races are held on closed circuits with relatively predictable conditions and a high level of safety. Circuit racing can be broadly defined as competition conducted on a closed circuit whereby all competitors start and race simultaneously. That means I commence racing from a grid start and in my situation there are an average 38+ other drivers around me competing for the elusive space out front! The racing is both spectacular and highly entertaining (especially from my seat)!
National circuit racing is not gender biased either so I am always competing against the boys and generally the sole girl in the field. There are many other categories of circuit racing including speedway, hill‐climb, sprint cars, karting and of course there are the fabulous motorbikes and affiliated categories! Some forms of rally and rock‐crawling are also performed on tarmac circuits. Circuit racing is conducted at state and national levels and there is a level suited to most budgets and levels of skill and enthusiasm.
For me, the turnaround from decision to competition was completed within 3 months and I was catapulted onto the grid at Eastern Creek at Round 1 of the V8 Supercars 2008 Season. I went on to compete at my first Australian Grand Prix only 3 days later and haven’t stopped since! Mid that year I purchased my own race car and swapped it for the leased car for the 2009 season. Car mechanics don’t like working on bikes and bike mechanics don’t want to work on cars. My race car uses the FJ1200 Yamaha touring bike engine and so I, if I was going to keep racing, I had to learn the lot and learn it fast! And I did!
My racing revolves around sanctioned street circuits (such as Mount Panorama – Bathurst, Adelaide Parkland (“Clipsal”), Albert Park (Australian F1 Grand Prix), Townsville Street Circuit, Gold Coast Street Circuit and Homebush Street Circuit (Sydney Olympic Park). I also compete at national level permanent circuits including Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Winton Raceway, Symmons Plains International Raceway (TAS), Sydney Motorsport Park (formerly “Eastern Creek”), Hidden Valley (NT), Queensland Raceway, Barbagello Raceway (WA).
I am now one of very few national competition drivers capable of rebuilding, repairing and maintaining their own car, transporting it, self crewing it on occasion, and consistently finishing all races (certainly the only woman in national circuit racing performing this). I enjoy working on the car and my working knowledge and understanding often astonishes both the public and other crews. I am called upon by other teams to provide circuit advice, troubleshoot set‐up or component failure and am happy to coach aspiring drivers at track days. I see this as acknowledgement for my achievements as my competitors are generally male!
I know I’m doing something right as I have competed at every national race meeting in the past 6 years and in 2013 was awarded as the inaugural “Aussie Legend” in recognition of my record breaking consecutive starts.
My passion for motorsport continues to develop as I hone my skills and learn more about the sport and race craft. I have a great rapport with the public and it never ceases to surprise me when I discover people following me who would not otherwise be interested in motorsport! They do love to see a girl take on the boys! It’s also nice to learn I have directly motivated others to try and achieve their dreams when they recognise it is possible if you are prepared to get past the stereotypes and nay‐sayers! I even have fans who wear my signature plaits to show their support!
Since becoming involved in motorsport I have learned more about myself and my commitment and determination than I would have thought possible. I have successfully competed at high profile national events and effectively learned and applied the engineering and mechanics of a national competition circuit racing car.
I have had the privilege to compete at the highest profile circuit racing events in Australia and I believe my dedication has set me up for a life‐long love affair with the sport. I enjoy sharing that passion for the sport with anyone who wants to learn more so feel free to contact me if you want to learn more about becoming a Race Circuit competitor.
Circuit racing may not be your style so find a style that interests you and keep asking questions and learn from others to achieve your goals!
With limited mechanical experience and no support structure I initially opted to lease a race car. The Aussie Racing Cars (Circuit and Street Circuit Racing category) came up in my research and I knew this was the right vehicle for me (excuse the pun). These cars achieve a top speed of 230 KMH, are enclosed yet single seated with sequential gearing. With a fiberglass body, motorcycle engine and incredible power‐to‐weight ratio I knew piloting this would not carry racing habits back onto the street and this was very important to me in my desire to not run a modified production car. The Aussie Racing Cars category is a V8 Supercar support category. The cars are purpose built race cars and the Aussie Racings Cars manufacturer is now the largest producer of circuit racing cars in Australia.
Circuit racing, on tarmac, also appealed to me as the races are held on closed circuits with relatively predictable conditions and a high level of safety. Circuit racing can be broadly defined as competition conducted on a closed circuit whereby all competitors start and race simultaneously. That means I commence racing from a grid start and in my situation there are an average 38+ other drivers around me competing for the elusive space out front! The racing is both spectacular and highly entertaining (especially from my seat)!
National circuit racing is not gender biased either so I am always competing against the boys and generally the sole girl in the field. There are many other categories of circuit racing including speedway, hill‐climb, sprint cars, karting and of course there are the fabulous motorbikes and affiliated categories! Some forms of rally and rock‐crawling are also performed on tarmac circuits. Circuit racing is conducted at state and national levels and there is a level suited to most budgets and levels of skill and enthusiasm.
For me, the turnaround from decision to competition was completed within 3 months and I was catapulted onto the grid at Eastern Creek at Round 1 of the V8 Supercars 2008 Season. I went on to compete at my first Australian Grand Prix only 3 days later and haven’t stopped since! Mid that year I purchased my own race car and swapped it for the leased car for the 2009 season. Car mechanics don’t like working on bikes and bike mechanics don’t want to work on cars. My race car uses the FJ1200 Yamaha touring bike engine and so I, if I was going to keep racing, I had to learn the lot and learn it fast! And I did!
My racing revolves around sanctioned street circuits (such as Mount Panorama – Bathurst, Adelaide Parkland (“Clipsal”), Albert Park (Australian F1 Grand Prix), Townsville Street Circuit, Gold Coast Street Circuit and Homebush Street Circuit (Sydney Olympic Park). I also compete at national level permanent circuits including Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Winton Raceway, Symmons Plains International Raceway (TAS), Sydney Motorsport Park (formerly “Eastern Creek”), Hidden Valley (NT), Queensland Raceway, Barbagello Raceway (WA).
I am now one of very few national competition drivers capable of rebuilding, repairing and maintaining their own car, transporting it, self crewing it on occasion, and consistently finishing all races (certainly the only woman in national circuit racing performing this). I enjoy working on the car and my working knowledge and understanding often astonishes both the public and other crews. I am called upon by other teams to provide circuit advice, troubleshoot set‐up or component failure and am happy to coach aspiring drivers at track days. I see this as acknowledgement for my achievements as my competitors are generally male!
I know I’m doing something right as I have competed at every national race meeting in the past 6 years and in 2013 was awarded as the inaugural “Aussie Legend” in recognition of my record breaking consecutive starts.
My passion for motorsport continues to develop as I hone my skills and learn more about the sport and race craft. I have a great rapport with the public and it never ceases to surprise me when I discover people following me who would not otherwise be interested in motorsport! They do love to see a girl take on the boys! It’s also nice to learn I have directly motivated others to try and achieve their dreams when they recognise it is possible if you are prepared to get past the stereotypes and nay‐sayers! I even have fans who wear my signature plaits to show their support!
Since becoming involved in motorsport I have learned more about myself and my commitment and determination than I would have thought possible. I have successfully competed at high profile national events and effectively learned and applied the engineering and mechanics of a national competition circuit racing car.
I have had the privilege to compete at the highest profile circuit racing events in Australia and I believe my dedication has set me up for a life‐long love affair with the sport. I enjoy sharing that passion for the sport with anyone who wants to learn more so feel free to contact me if you want to learn more about becoming a Race Circuit competitor.
Circuit racing may not be your style so find a style that interests you and keep asking questions and learn from others to achieve your goals!
Ruthie “Racer” Bowler
