at Tyrepower Joondalup Festival of Motoring
The roar of engines wasn’t the only sound echoing through the streets at this year’s Tyrepower Joondalup Festival of Motoring. For the first time in the event’s history, an all-female crew took charge of the start line intersection, marking a significant milestone in the festival’s legacy.
Leading the team was Ann-Marie Miller, joined by Charlie Prentice, Kelly Frost, Loretta Lyn Ris, and Makayla Finlayson. Together, they played a pivotal role in managing one of the event’s most critical areas—ensuring a safe and efficient flow of race cars, emergency vehicles, resident access, and the essential zero cars through the main intersection.
From managing pedestrian crossings and performing PPE safety compliance checks on every vehicle, to loading cars into stage, this dynamic team was visible, vital, and highly capable throughout the weekend. Prentice and Finlayson were also involved in scrutineering operations during the pre-event checks at JFOM HQ in Kewdale, with Makayla returning to support again on Saturday ahead of race day.
Miss Prentice reflected on the experience saying, “Scrutineering was an amazing hands-on experience that allowed me to get up close to the cars. As I’m currently studying motorsport at university, it helped me gain a deeper understanding of the vehicles and what goes on behind the scenes at motorsport events.”
“Being able to work in an all-girls team was not only empowering but showed me that this industry does not have to be so intimidating when it comes to getting involved, with the right support and shared passion, anyone can get involved.”
Scrutineering spanned three days and offered a significant learning opportunity for apprentices from MTA WA. Under the guidance of Chief Scrutineer Iain Chambers, veteran scrutineer Ken Dewhirst, and mechanic Bridget Bell, the apprentices were trained in real-time to carry out vehicle inspections. This hands-on experience served as more than just practical support for the event—it marked a clear entry point into motorsport. Several members of the all-female crew, along with some of the apprentices, are now on track to obtaining their scrutineering licences, positioning themselves for long-term involvement in the sport.
Over 100 cars took to the closed 1.8km street circuit, thrilling thousands of spectators across the weekend. While the on-track spectacle drew the crowds, it was the calm, coordinated effort behind the scenes—particularly at the start line—that ensured everything ran smoothly.
For the crew, this wasn’t just about volunteering—it was about visibility, representation, and building futures in motorsport.
The festival, held from 2–4 May 2025, celebrated the best of Western Australia’s car culture. The theme “Red Goes Faster” came alive in Tyrepower Central Park, where stunning crimson vehicles from elite private collections turned heads. The red Ferraris and Lamborghinis proved especially popular with younger fans, whose faces lit up at the sight of such iconic cars.
Event Director Justin Hunt expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped bring the festival to life.
“The atmosphere was turbocharged all weekend,” said Justin. “It was great to see families out and about enjoying quality time together and car enthusiasts of all ages soaking up the action.”
As the festival continues to grow, the involvement of women in key operational roles highlights a positive cultural shift within motorsport. While the sport still has its stereotypes, the women of JFOM 2025 proved they’re not just participating—they’re leading the way.
Nadia Scurria is a Perth-based media and communications professional with a passion for motorsport and storytelling. With a background in Journalism and Broadcast Media, she has contributed to some of Australia’s biggest international motorsport events including MotoGP and Formula 1. Nadia is currently the weekend traffic reporter on Perth’s 6PR Radio and brings a vibrant on-the-ground presence to every role she steps into. Her experience spans lifestyle journalism as well as Marketing and Communications across a number of industries. Outside of work, she is a strong advocate for women in motorsport and media aligning with Motorsport Australia’s Girls on Track program and Girls Torque’s mission to inspire and raise female voices in the industry.