In The Beginning
a couple of ladies had a dream to share
Girls Torque began with a simple vision: to create a safe and unbiased space where women could inspire, educate, and support one another. It was also about building pathways for the next generation through motorsport and the wider motoring industry.
Founded in 2001 by Sue Corbett and Leonie Maher, and initially based in New South Wales, the Australian Women’s Motorsport Network quickly grew to connect women from across the country. Both Sue and Leonie were personally involved in motorsport and recognised a growing demand from women who wanted more than just a seat in the stands. Some were eager to get behind the wheel, others wanted to better understand and work on their own vehicles. But too few opportunities existed to learn, train, and participate.
Girls Torque was created to change that. From the very beginning, the organisation provided mentoring, training, motivational talks, and educational displays for members, schools, clubs, tracks, and communities. Supported by merchandise sales, donations, sponsorship, and grants, Girls Torque established itself as a volunteer-driven network committed to opening doors and breaking barriers for women in motoring.
Growing & Evolving
revitalisation and new directions
6 May 2024
In the wake of the passing of Girls Torque Motorsport founder Sue Corbett, co-founder Leonie Maher chose to hand the reins over for a new chapter. Bridget Bell has since assumed the driver’s seat, supported by a team of dedicated motorsport and automotive trade experts and enthusiasts.
Together, they are committed to building upon the 23-year history of Girls Torque, honouring Sue and Leonie’s vision while leading the organisation into the future.
“I am deeply honoured to take on this responsibility and privilege,” Bridget shares. “It is humbling to continue the work of the past two decades, and I look forward to welcoming new collaborations that benefit Girls Torque members nationally.”
Australian Women’s Motoring Network & Girls Torque
The Australian Women’s Motor Sport Network was founded in 2001 by Sue Corbett and Leonie Maher to connect and support women across the motoring and motorsport community. Today, the organisation continues as the Australian Women’s Motoring Network (AWMN), the national platform championing visibility, support, and opportunity for women in every part of the automotive industry.
Girls Torque was developed as AWMN’s youth-focused platform, created to deliver initiatives that inspire and empower the next generation. Historically, Girls Torque was the epicentre for anti-bullying campaigns, school visits, and programs that showcased inspirational figures — ensuring young people could see female role models reflected in motorsport and motoring.
Motorsport has always had women involved: on track, in the pits, and behind the scenes. From Bertha Benz, who in 1888 became the first person to prove the motorcar’s potential with a long-distance drive, through to today’s competitors, crew, and industry leaders, women have consistently pushed boundaries and shaped the motoring story.
The Australian Women’s Motoring Network and its platform, Girls Torque, exist to make that involvement visible, supported, and celebrated. Unlike discipline-specific clubs, Girls Torque is open to every genre of motoring and every role — whether you’re a driver, crew member, official, volunteer, or industry professional.
Our community is run by women who are actively competing, working, and contributing across motorsport, bringing real-world experience to everything we do. Powered by volunteers, we share knowledge, skills, and opportunities peer-to-peer, helping women and girls thrive in motoring. Beyond the track, our leadership team draws on expertise in business, media, events, marketing, and design — ensuring the organisation runs with professionalism and impact, without relying on costly external services.
Leading by Example
Girls Torque is not a club — we are a social enterprise. Built and powered by volunteers, we provide visibility, support, and opportunities for women across all areas of motoring and motorsport.
Motorsport is Australia’s third most-attended sport, and around 40% of its viewers are now female. This is a remarkable increase from just 8% in 2018, highlighting one of the fastest shifts in audience demographics across Australian sport.
