How Charlotte and Ashleigh Are Redefining Racing Culture in Western Australia
When most people think of motorsport, images of roaring engines, fearless male drivers, and adrenaline-fueled competition spring to mind. However, two teenage sisters from Western Australia are challenging this narrative head-on, proving that passion and skill, rather than gender, determine success on the racetrack. Charlotte (17) and Ashleigh (16), along with their brother Lachlan (22), form the heart of Cove Motorsport, a family racing team that’s making waves in the WA Excel Cup. In a recent episode of The One Thing podcast on Edge Radio Australia, the siblings shared their remarkable journey with hosts Lisa Byfield, Leanne Jones, and Aaron Malloy, and their story is truly inspiring.
The Rise of Female Drivers in Australian Motorsport
Charlotte & Ashleigh have had quite a few obstacles along their journey in go-karting and now in circuit racing. As Ashleigh candidly shared during the podcast, they faced discouragement early on: “We had a few people come up to us trying to find out our lap times, saying that we shouldn’t be on the track because we’re girls and it’s a male sport. We shouldn’t be there. We shouldn’t even be in the pits.”
Rather than retreating, the sisters used these experiences as fuel. After a brief hiatus from go-karting, they returned to motorsport with renewed determination, this time in the Excel series, where they’ve been making their mark ever since.
The Mental Game: What It Takes to Race at the Highest Level
One of the most fascinating aspects of the podcast interview was the sisters’ discussion of the mental preparation required for racing. Unlike many sports where physical prowess dominates, motorsport demands an extraordinary level of mental fortitude and focus.
Ashleigh’s pre-race ritual is particularly intriguing. “Ten to fifteen minutes before the race, I put my headphones on, play my music, and I don’t speak to anyone,” she explained. “I get in my car, helmet on, I sit in my car for about three or four minutes, close my eyes, and I go through the track. I go through every corner mentally, and I hold the steering wheel.”
This visualisation technique, used by elite athletes across disciplines, helps her mentally rehearse each turn, apex, and overtaking opportunity before the race even begins.
Charlotte, meanwhile, has her own unique approach. She wears the same pair of socks to every race, pickle-decorated socks, to be precise. “They have pickles on them and I will not wear another pair,” she laughed. She also drinks pickle juice before racing to prevent calf cramps, listens to Eminem to get in the zone, and even sings while driving around the track.
These rituals might seem quirky, but they represent something deeper: the psychological preparation that separates good racers from great ones.
Overcoming Fear: Charlotte’s Journey Back from Injury
Perhaps the most powerful moment in the interview came when Charlotte discussed her 2023 ATV accident, which left her with 42 stitches and nearly cost her a hand. The physical injury was significant, but the mental barrier it created was even more daunting.
“It was just pushing past that mental barrier of firstly getting back in a Polaris, which we had been driving since we could reach the pedals,” Charlotte recalled. The family’s approach to helping her overcome this fear was gradual and supportive, what she called “scare therapy.”
Having mentors like her father, Troy, and brother, Lachlan, proved invaluable during this period. Their guidance, both technical and emotional, helped Charlotte not only return to racing but to compete at an even higher level. This resilience exemplifies the kind of mental strength required in motorsport, where crashes and setbacks are inevitable.
The Importance of Female Role Models in Racing
Throughout the interview, the sisters highlighted several women who’ve influenced their journey. Anna, who runs the track in Collie, and a Formula Vee Competitor, have provided invaluable advice specific to women in motorsport. But perhaps their most significant mentor is Lisa Nash, who manages the Tickford V8 Supercar team.
“Before my last race down in Collie, I was struggling with a few things. Couldn’t quite get my head around it,” Ashleigh shared. “So I gave her a call and she pretty much calmed me down. I was on call with her for fifteen to twenty minutes. And that race, I think, was probably one of my best races all year.”
Nash’s advice was simple but powerful: focus on two of your three goals for the race, and the third will come naturally. This kind of mentorship is crucial, especially for young women entering a male-dominated sport.
Breaking Down the Technical Barriers: Learning to Drive Different Cars
One aspect that impressed the podcast hosts was the sisters’ technical versatility. They’ve transitioned from go-karts to the family’s 1978 Datsun 280Z track car (a rear-wheel-drive beast with a stroked 3.1L engine) to front-wheel-drive Hyundai Excels, each requiring completely different driving techniques.
As Lachlan explained, “The whole premise of a front-wheel drive, especially such a low-power one, is that momentum is key. And the second that it gets any instability, it is flat onto the accelerator to pull it out.”
This adaptability demonstrates not just natural talent but a deep understanding of vehicle dynamics and racing principles. It’s the kind of technical knowledge that will serve them well as they progress through higher levels of motorsport.
The WA Excel Cup: Why This Series Matters
The Hyundai Excel racing series deserves special mention as an accessible entry point into competitive motorsport. With control suspension, control tyres, and strict regulations, the series ensures that driver skill, rather than financial resources, determines success.
As host Aaron Malloy noted during the interview, “The difference between the best car in the field and the worst car is not that big.” This level playing field makes for incredibly close, exciting racing and provides an affordable pathway for young drivers to develop their craft.
Ashleigh recently competed in the Collie 1000, a grueling 17-hour endurance race, in a Hyundai Excel that cost just $600. The car survived the entire race whilst being pushed to its limits, a testament both to the durability of these vehicles and the team’s mechanical prowess.
The WA Excel Cup: Why This Series Matters
The Hyundai Excel racing series deserves special mention as an accessible entry point into competitive motorsport. With control suspension, control tyres, and strict regulations, the series ensures that driver skill, rather than financial resources, determines success.
As host Aaron Malloy noted during the interview, “The difference between the best car in the field and the worst car is not that big.” This level playing field makes for incredibly close, exciting racing and provides an affordable pathway for young drivers to develop their craft.
Ashleigh recently competed in the Collie 1000, a grueling 17-hour endurance race, in a Hyundai Excel that cost just $600. The car survived the entire race whilst being pushed to its limits, a testament both to the durability of these vehicles and the team’s mechanical prowess.
The Role of Family in Motorsport Success
Cove Motorsport is truly a family affair. Whilst Troy (the father) started the team’s racing legacy, it’s now carried forward by all three siblings working in harmony. Lachlan serves as both competitor and engineer, making real-time adjustments to his sisters’ cars based on feedback during races.
Their mother, Naomi, whilst not featured prominently in the interview, plays a crucial support role. As Charlotte joked, “Trying to get a teenager up at 6 a.m. [on race day] is an effort.” Naomi ensures the entire team arrives at races prepared, though she admittedly watches with her eyes closed during particularly intense moments.
This family dynamic creates a unique support system that extends beyond technical knowledge to emotional resilience and shared passion.
Looking Ahead: Dreams of Supercars and Beyond
When asked about their future goals, both sisters expressed ambitious aspirations. Ashleigh dreams of racing in Improved Production, then Toyota 86s, before progressing to GT4s and ultimately V8 Supercars. “I’ve always dreamt of being a Supercars driver and standing on top of my car with a trophy,” she said.
Charlotte shares similar ambitions, emphasizing that she wants to be more than just a competitor; she wants to be a role model. “We want to be role models for people to look up to us,” she explained. “If there’s a young girl out there and they don’t come from a racing family and she’s got the adrenaline and wants to go out and start, reaching out is definitely a great outlet.”
Making Motorsport Accessible: Community Engagement and Track Titan Events
One of the most admirable aspects of Cove Motorsport is its commitment to giving back. They run Track Titan events, afternoons of go-karting where they provide tips and coaching to aspiring racers. They also organize Passenger Ride Nights, giving people (especially women and teenagers) the chance to experience hot laps around the track.
The team has raised funds for Telethon, children’s cancer research, and mental health organisations, demonstrating that their impact extends well beyond the racetrack.
Lachlan, who is also a Motorsport Australia-certified coach, offers driver training to individuals seeking to enhance their racing skills. This accessibility and willingness to mentor newcomers are helping to break down barriers and make motorsport more inclusive.
The Business of Racing: Sponsorship and Financial Realities
The interview didn’t shy away from discussing the financial challenges of motorsport. As Aaron Malloy quipped, “How do you make a small fortune out of motorsport? You start with a huge fortune.”
However, the Cove Motorsport team has secured valuable partnerships with sponsors, including Veale Auto Parts (who helped rebuild Charlotte’s engine over Easter), Penrite (providing high-quality oils), and, recently, Exedy. These partnerships have been crucial in allowing the team to compete consistently throughout the season.
The family’s approach is collaborative, with the sisters contributing where they can whilst expressing immense gratitude for their parents’ support and their sponsors’ belief in their vision.
The Verdict: Why This Story Matters
Charlotte and Ashleigh’s story is about more than racing. It’s about perseverance in the face of discouragement, resilience after injury, and the courage to pursue dreams in spaces where you might not see yourself reflected.
As host Leanne Jones said during the interview, “For too long, motorsport has been seen as a male domain. But drivers like Charlotte and Ashleigh are changing that, proving that passion, not gender, determines performance.”
Their message to young girls across Australia is clear and powerful: You Belong here. You can wear the helmet, step on the Accelerator, and make history.
Motorsport is not defined by gender. It’s characterised by heart, skill, and an unwavering commitment to improvement. And these two sisters are proving that every single race day.
How to Follow Their Journey
To keep up with Charlotte, Ashleigh, and Lachlan’s racing adventures, you can find Cove Motorsport on Instagram and Facebook. They’re competing this weekend at Carco Raceway in Wanneroo, with Charlotte and Ashleigh separated by just three points in the championship standings.
For those interested in getting involved in motorsport, whether as a driver, volunteer, or passenger, the team encourages you to reach out through their social media channels or visit them in the pits at race events.
You can also listen to the full interview on The One Thing podcast, available now on Edge Radio Australia and New Horizon Business Network’s YouTube channel.
The future of Australian motorsport is looking brighter, faster, and more inclusive, and it’s being driven by two remarkable sisters who refuse to accept limits on what they can achieve.
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