Profile: Jody Zaal

Sport:       GoKarting | Activity:   Driver

As a carer for both parents, Jody didn’t think she had the time to even think about racing until her dad suggested it would be a great idea for her to expand her love for motorsport and working on cars. Now Jody gets out on the track (Whitsundays and Gladstone) to race new and old friends at least a couple of times a month.

I love the new mates that I have met, who have pushed and mentored me to become a better racer.

Jody started racing in a 4 stroke category called 4SS in a 2018 Intrepid chassis with a 9.9hp Torini 4 stroke engine (87km at full speed), and claimed the 4SS Track Record in Townsville, and finishing 15/121 in the 4SS National standings. She has just recently stepped up to KA3lights in her 2018 JC Tag Kart with a KA100 IAME engine which can do over 16,000rpm and goes 109km down the straight at the Townsville track but dreams of moving up to endurance cars and being part of a larger team. Jody has also been seen at the Whitsundays and Gladstone tracks.

Karting is massively popular and is where most of the top drivers start their racing career. A race day consists of practices, most of the time qualifying, then 3

-4 heats followed by a final.  Karting involves focus, patience fitness and the determination to keep learning and growing as a racer, even in the tough times. Jody says, “it can be very hard but also very rewarding”.

Part of what Jody loves about the sport is that it’s a place where you meet so many people, make life long mates and great memories. She’s a big advocate for more women being involved in motorsport, saying that that it doesn’t matter who you are, you should just keep believing in yourself and working towards your dreams one step at a time. Jody has some great advice for anyone thinking about getting into the sport (apart from it never being too late to give it a go). “Go out to a race meeting or two, meet all of the teams and talk to them, before buying a kart, to be sure you are choosing the team or kart that is right for you.”

Jody says that apart from the massive inspiration from her mum and dad to get her started, she wouldn’t be able to do this without the advice, support and mentorship of HRE Motorsport, Rob Muller, City Karts Gladstone and Peter Matthews.

If you’d like to follow Jody, you can through her Facebook or Instagram. Please don’t forget to also support everyone who makes it possible for her to enjoy her sport; Penrite, MotiV8 Training, Repco in Garbutt, Ant Race Engines, Strand Fitness, Wholesale paint Group in Townsville, Motorfocus, Rockwear in Castletown.