AWMN in Profile: Kelly Thomas

For Kelly Thomas — better known in the paddock as KAT — rallying isn’t just a sport, it’s a family tradition. With parents who were rallying long before she was born, Kelly grew up surrounded by the sound of engines, the smell of fuel, and the energy of competition. What began with grassroots khanacross and rallysprints under her father’s guidance soon ignited into something much bigger: a fierce love for rallying and off-road racing.

From the start, she defied expectations. At just 14 years old, she strapped into her 2WD naturally aspirated car and began beating fully-grown men in turbo 4WDs. Spectators expected to see a seasoned male driver step out at the finish line — instead, it was a determined young girl with an irrepressible grin. That moment set the tone for her career: breaking barriers, surprising doubters, and proving that skill has no gender.

Being part of the motorsport community, Kelly says, is an “incredible feeling — proving girls can do it too, even better.” It’s about belonging to a tribe that thrives on adrenaline, precision, and resilience. Her mantra is clear: Ambition. Be Fearless. Have Faith.

Kelly’s journey has already delivered highlights that many only dream of. The 2024 Australian Rally Championship 2WD title, achieved alongside her dad, stands as a career-defining triumph. Years earlier, she flew the flag internationally, representing Australia at the 2019 International Gymkhana Prix. These achievements cemented her reputation as both a driver and co-driver with sharp reflexes, detailed pace notes, and unshakable trust in her team.

Rallying, of course, demands more than what fans see on stage. Off the track, the challenge lies in keeping cars in peak condition — sourcing support, maintaining machinery, and committing countless hours in the shed. At times, Kelly has faced the reality of not getting enough support to match the demands of the sport, but her grit and determination ensure she keeps showing up. With her family by her side and a dedicated list of sponsors — Fleetcare, Paramount Cabinets and Shopfitters, BMG Autos, Racetorque Engineering, Purely Porscha, Toliccs, TuneTech, and Rustic Metal Works — she finds a way forward.

Her motivation is simple: to do better, to get faster. She thrives on the split-second decisions that rallying demands, the trust between driver and co-driver, and the discipline of timing and study. For Kelly, every rally is another opportunity to chase her dream: to one day win the Australian Rally Championship outright, and test her skills in off-road racing.

The lifestyle is demanding. With a truck dedicated to transporting cars, her father is often away for weeks at a time. The family’s commitment to the sport is total — countless hours of travel, wrenching in the shed, and time sacrificed from work and daily life. Friends and peers may call it “cool but dangerous,” but for Kelly, it’s the only life that makes sense.

When asked what she’d tell someone considering their own motorsport journey, her answer is bold and inviting:
“Take it on. Motorsport is for everyone in some way. If you want to get behind the wheel, let’s chat!”

Kelly Thomas may be chasing rally stages across Australia, but her story is also about legacy — carrying her family’s passion into a new era and inspiring the next wave of fearless competitors.