Karting Australia and the Team 18 Supercars outfit has joined forces over the past 12 months, enabling young racers a chance to get behind the scenes as a part of the team.
The program has provided an opportunity for selected Karting Australia licence holders to get amongst the action at events in the Supercars Championship across the past 12 months. The experiences range across the country, giving both exposure and valuable work experience.
Jessica Fortainer as a part of Team 18 during last year’s Adelaide 500.
The opportunities for Karting Australia teenagers have been large with Jessica Fortainer going on to land an internship in other areas of Australian motorsport, and Boyd McCarthy finding his passion run deeper than ever before. Both young racing fanatics have found their passion and a road forward for progression in careers like engineering and working in a team.
Fortanier, 17, attended the Adelaide 500 in 2024 with Team 18. Her career dreams started with racing karts and have now progressed to the area of engineering interest; every opportunity is aiding her career goals, and the experience of working within an active Supercars Championship team provided her with the knowledge and support to continue.
“It was really good! They showed me around and gave me jobs to do so I wasn’t just standing around,” said Fortanier.
“I mainly helped the tyre people; they kept me busy! They were really friendly.”
She has been involved in karting since the age of four, and racing since the age of seven – her life has long been revolving around the race track, making the opportunity to do work experience with Team 18 a no brainer.
Originally, she wanted to go down the career path of a mechanic, however karting led her into the data side of the sport, drawing her into a new passion.
“I’m in university for engineering at the moment, so something [working] in engineering and motorsport is what I’m aiming for in the future,” she said.
McCarthy had the opportunity to work with Team 18 at the recent Tasmania Super 440, providing him ample insight and support into a career in motorsport. He is an active sportsman in the making, his focus split between motorsport and basketball, with career ambitions for the racing scene.
The Karting Australia licence holders have been hands-on in a variety of aspects at events.
He has a background of motorsport, following in his father’s footsteps, familiar with what it takes to be successful in the sport; he has the knowledge of cars and racing, which he thoroughly enjoys.
“Getting to work with team 18 was an incredible opportunity and it was not what I was expecting with the strict schedule the teams had,” said McCarthy.
“I am incredibly thankful to have been allowed to work with the team. I loved learning how the team works and how the setup is changed and worked on to get the most out of the car.
“The team members took their time to teach and explain what they are doing, and why it is needed; and then giving me direction of what I could do to help.”
While he is just a young, passionate racer, McCarthy is determined for a career involved in motorsport in some way, suggesting the experienced fuelled his devotion to the sport.
Ahead of the Team 18 experience, McCarthy was enamoured by how the wheels turn behind the scenes, giving him a goal of working within a motorsport racing team – a dream he got a taste of in Tasmania.
“In the team I had multiple roles from working with the tyre technicians to help make sure that they are ready for the weekend, to helping change the transaxle in the car, making sure that the car is clean and ready for each session,” said McCarthy.
“During my time with Team 18 I found a deeper love for motorsport and more respect for what the teams go through,” added McCarthy.
“It has really given me an insight into how hard a pit crew team works to get the car and driver on the track, it has also enhanced my passion for motor racing.
The experience for Fortanier, McCarthy and the other participants has been an invaluable opportunity, aiding their career progression and providing encouragement to chase after their wildest dreams. At this weekend’s Supercars event in Perth, another three young Karting Australia licence holders will be a part of the team with further opportunities at upcoming events throughout the year.
