At Play Like a Girl, we love celebrating the incredible journeys of our community members.
Today, we are thrilled to feature Tracy Ross—a passionate sports leader, mother, and advocate for inclusivity in motorsport.
Tracy's journey into kart racing and leadership has been inspiring, and we’re excited to share her story.
Tracy Ross wears many hats — a busy mum of four (plus two stepkids), a full-time professional, and now, a dedicated participant in motorsport.
Her journey began on the sidelines, supporting her children’s sporting endeavors. However, it was when her youngest son took up go-karting that Tracy felt a pull toward the sport herself.
“One thing that stood out to me was the noticeable lack of female participants,” Tracy recalls. “I’ll never forget watching a race where one woman was up against a field of men, and she raced fiercely against them—it was incredibly inspiring. In that moment, I thought to myself, I’d love to give this a try.”
She started by volunteering in various capacities—helping out at the canteen, coaching, and even officiating. Over time, her interest grew, and she took the leap into racing herself.
Now, she’s gearing up for an exciting return to karting in 2025.
Tracy’s involvement in motorsport has been both challenging and rewarding. As one of the few women in a male-dominated sport, she has worked hard to carve out her place and encourage others to do the same.
Her proudest moments include finishing on the podium in third place — a major accomplishment given her limited experience.
“I went into the race expecting to finish last, but with focus and determination, I managed to land somewhere in the middle of the pack. The two drivers who finished ahead of me were experienced, fit, and young men, so as a busy mum with little experience, I was pretty proud of my performance!”
Another highlight? Seeing the admiration from her own children. “When my son’s friend asked him, ‘Does your mum race? That’s so cool!’ it was such a special moment. My son was so excited and proudly tells his friends that his mum races. That means the world to me.”
Tracy joined the Empowered to Lead program to strengthen her leadership skills and gain insight into navigating a male-dominated sport.
While she had previously completed leadership courses, she had never engaged in one specifically designed for sports.
“I wanted to equip myself with the tools to positively contribute to the growth of karting. Being part of the Play Like a Girl community gave me a sense of connection and reassurance. It made me realise that I’m not alone in facing these challenges.”
Throughout the program, she was deeply moved by the stories of athletes overcoming adversity. “Watching videos of athletes who have faced major obstacles and seeing how their actions inspire others—it was incredibly powerful.”
The final presentation, where each participant shared their vision boards, was another standout moment. “The way our cohort showed both vulnerability and strength was inspiring, and I felt proud to share my own experiences with such a knowledgeable and supportive group.”
When asked what advice she would give to other women aspiring to excel in sport and leadership, Tracy emphasises the importance of resilience.
“Have the confidence to keep pushing forward, even when the journey feels challenging. Trust in your ability to overcome obstacles and stay focused on your goals.
Surround yourself with people who share your vision and are on a similar path. Collaboration and shared experiences make the journey so much more powerful.”
To Tracy, playing like a girl means contributing to the best of one’s ability and fostering inclusivity in sports.
“Creating an environment where individuals from all backgrounds feel welcome and valued is so important. A diverse group of participants brings unique talents, innovative strategies, and different ways of thinking, ultimately strengthening the sport for everyone involved.”
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Tracy envisions a future where women and girls are given a truly equitable playing field—both in sport and in life.
“We need environments where opportunities are accessible to all, where talent is recognised without bias. It’s about replacing judgment with understanding, so everyone has the space to learn, grow, and thrive. By empowering women through education and opportunity, we unlock potential that leads to remarkable progress in every area of life.”
Play Like a Girl is so proud to have Tracy Ross as part of our community. Her passion, dedication, and resilience are an inspiration to us all. We can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next—both on and off the track!
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