AWMN in Profile: Ava Cassin-Roberts

Kart Racer | Co-founder, CRS Racing | Motorsport All-Rounder

Ava Cassin-Roberts didn’t grow up with a steering wheel in her hand—but when the opportunity came, she gripped it tightly and never let go. It all started in 2021, when her local kart club ran a “come and try” day. It sounded casual—something to test out. But from the moment she hit the track, it was anything but ordinary. That first experience flipped a switch. The sound, the speed, the clarity of focus behind the wheel—it was electric. Her parents knew it too. Karting wasn’t just an activity—it was a calling.

It didn’t take long for karting to become part of her routine, her rhythm, and her identity. Since 2022, Ava has travelled throughout Western Australia for the seven-round Karting WA series. The grids are full, the competition fierce. In 2023, the series united drivers from across the state into one collective field—stacked with talent, big numbers, and no easy wins. For Ava, the travel is part of the adventure, but so is pushing herself to be better every round. Her path has now stretched interstate, with a recent trip to Victoria for an all-girls race event, and plans underway to tackle the South Australian State Titles.

She currently races in TAG 125 Restricted Light, one of the senior karting classes known for its balance of speed and driver finesse. Her weapon of choice? A sleek black TSC kart, detailed in pink, blue, and white livery, equipped with an IAME engine capable of hitting speeds up to 115 km/h. “It’s not just about the power,” she explains. “It’s how you control it—when to push, when to breathe, when to trust the kart and lean in.”

Her kart isn’t the only thing dialled in. Ava is a co-founder of CRS Racing, a team made up of herself, her older brother, and her boyfriend—three drivers bonded by family and shared ambition. The initials stand for Cassin, Roberts, and Sterry, a subtle nod to the trio’s surnames. But beyond the name, CRS is a close-knit race family. They support each other on and off the track—sharing tools, ideas, transport, even nerves. It’s a collective effort fuelled by respect, friendly rivalry, and a relentless passion for racing.

And Ava’s world extends beyond her own kart. Motorsport runs deep in her family—her older brother races, her boyfriend races, and her grandfather built the local speedway track. She volunteers there regularly on race nights, keeping her connected to the community that shaped her. Motorsport, in many ways, is the family business—even if the pay cheque isn’t always part of the deal.

She’s also developed a special connection with Abbey Pickering, a Late Model driver who became part of their extended motorsport family. Ava’s family helps sponsor and crew for Abbey when they can, and in return, Abbey turns up to Ava’s kart races, cheering from the sidelines or helping out in the pits. “She’s my biggest inspiration in motorsport,” Ava says. “She’s confident, unapologetically herself, and shows up every time. Watching her race made me believe I could go further too.”

That belief paid off in 2025 at the Albany City Kart Club, where Ava secured her first State Series podium. The final race was held in the rain, and she started back in 13th. But with wet tyres, guts, and grit, she surged forward through the chaos, slicing through the field to finish fourth. A post-race penalty ahead of her bumped her into third place. “It was the funniest, craziest race I’ve ever had,” she laughs. “Everything just came together. That drive felt earned.”

Karting has brought its fair share of bruises too—literal ones. She’s had big incidents that left her shaken and sore, but never deterred. “I haven’t flipped yet,” she notes, “but hurting yourself out there is scary. Still, you learn from those hits. They make you sharper.”

Even small mistakes, like accidentally pitting before the chequered flag, get chalked up as part of the process. “It’s embarrassing in the moment,” she admits, “but sometimes confusion happens. You laugh it off and move on.”

Ask Ava what drives her, and the answer is layered. It’s the sense of belonging. The roar of the engines. The smell of rubber and fuel in the air. The way her heartbeat syncs with the revs. It’s the simple truth that motorsport feels like home. Whether she’s racing, wrenching, or watching, she’s fully in it.

While many kart racers dream of Formula 1, Ava’s vision is grounded in something that feels more tangible—and just as prestigious. She hopes to carve a path toward V8 Supercars or Porsche Cup, either behind the wheel or behind the scenes as a motorsport mechanic. Her mechanical mindset, love for detail, and first-hand experience give her a firm foundation for either route.

Along the way, she’s picked up more than just lap times and podiums. She’s gained resilience. Community. Confidence. And a set of guiding words she keeps close:
Be confident. Be patient. Be prepared. Don’t hesitate.

“They’re the words I think about when I’m racing,” she says. “When I believe in myself, that’s when everything clicks. Once you do it, you can do it again.”