Image: Supplied.

There are two high-profile Australian entries – albeit of different natures – due to make their mark in the inaugural FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) in 2024, which will debut with its season-opening round at the Emilia Romagna round of the Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) in June.

On track, longtime national level racer Tayla Relph is taking her talents to the world stage in an independent entry under the TAYCO Motorsports banner, while at the other end of the spectrum, Australian born Maddi Patterson has entered team ownership with her newly-launched Sekhmet Racing team. Both will be eager to assist in establishing the start-up series.

Warrnambool-based Relph is no stranger to Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) followers among the talent-stacked 300cc categories and, despite transitioning into a media and rider coaching career in recent seasons, returned to the grid at last year’s final round of the 2023 season at Tailem Bend, South Australia, and swiftly established herself among the front-runners. The idea of racing in an all-female field internationally was an opportunity she wasn’t willing to overlook.

“It still hasn’t sunk in just how big this Women’s world championship is going to be,” 27-year-old Relph explained. “It truly is a turning point for not just women in motorsport, but motorsport as a whole. There are so many fast females all around the world and over 40 females applied for this world championship – this is the first time the world will get to see 24 of the fastest females line up in a world championship race.

“I think having the likes of having Ana Carrasco, a former World Supersport 300 champion, be part of this Women’s world championship will further showcase the talent and speed on the grid and will show just how serious this championship is. I really do believe I have what it takes to be a contender, as I think here in Australia, the female talent is a lot stronger than in other countries and more often than not, female Aussies are no stranger to the front of the pack, such as myself, Ella McCausland and Tara Morrison, just to name a few.

“While I know there are other females in the world championship backed by factory and well-known teams, we are running under a family team, TAYCO Motorsports. But, in all honesty, the thought of racing against girls who are backed by factory teams does not worry or concern me and won’t provide all that much advantage. It more just provides those girls with an option as to who their mechanics and suspension techs are.

“The championship itself provides a group of well-renowned mechanics and suspension techs to assist the WorldWCR paddock, similar to the likes of Red Bull Rookies, and at a minimum all they require is that we bring an assistant. For me, that will be Ted [Collins] and my dad! The first official WorldWCR test will be held in Cremona, Italy, on the 16th and 17th May, before the season officially gets underway in June at Misano.

“The Women’s world championship will cost me more than $200,000 that we have to try and fund ourselves. We have had some great sponsors come on board so far, such as R Marine Crawley, AMX Superstores, The Midfield Group, GJ Gardner Homes Warrnambool, Capital Property Conveyancing to name a few, as well as receiving some support from Motorcycling Australia. But financially, we still have a very long way to go, and we have a GoFundMe page set up for any individuals who may want to support. And of course, we are still welcoming and strongly encouraging new sponsors to come on board, as all those who assist me are essentially helping write worldwide history!”

Patterson, meanwhile, has built herself a successful marketing career after relocating to Europe and becoming a regular in the MotoGP and WorldSBK paddocks, electing to become one of the few female team owners in professional motorcycle racing. Sekhmet Racing – which is also still accepting sponsorship proposals – will field American Mallory Dobbs and UK racer Lissy Whitmore in 2024.

“When I first heard that this was going to happen I knew it was where I needed to be,” Patterson reflected. “At the official announcement by Dorna, the officiating organisation, no one was surprised when I said ‘f**k it, I’ll do it!’. Forming a team and signing riders for this has been a real time crunch and, having achieved this in eight months, I appreciate all those who have helped along the way – if it was easy everybody would do it.

“Sekhmet, an Egyptian Deity, was born from fire – a symbol of strength and resilience. And therein lies the reason for the team naming… I endured and recovered from 60 percent burns to my body only three years ago. Sekhmet is known as the protector of friends and the leader in battle, something I embrace in my own life. I am incredibly honoured, excited and aware that my role is to lead my team and more than that, support, inspire and create the chance to do something different. To be the difference. And when the visor goes down, nothing else matters. This is racing.”

A capable 24-rider grid of the world’s leading women road racers has officially been released, which will be headlined by 26-year-old Spaniard Ana Carrasco, who was winner of the 2018 World Supersport 300 Championship and has spent the past two seasons contesting the Moto3 World Championship.

Yamaha will be the sole manufacturer competing in the WorldWCR series utilising the YZF-R7, with a single technical and logistic partner formed that will oversee all technical aspects of the category. Each round will feature Superpole on Friday, followed by a race on both Saturday and Sunday.

“In the FIM, we have been working very hard to include more and more women in racing in the last 20 years, since we created the Women Commission,” stated Jorge Viegas. “We already have women’s championships in motocross, enduro and trial, and we are going to have speedway very soon. When we started to think about a circuit racing championship, Dorna embraced this project and I think Gregorio [Lavilla] did a very good job. There is a lot of demand from women to join this championship – I think it will be a big success.”

2024 FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship calendar:
Rd1 – 14-16 June – Misano World Circuit ‘Marco Simoncelli’, Italy
Rd2 – 12-14 July – Donington Park, UK
Rd3 – 9-11 August – Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, Portugal
Rd4 – 23-25 August – Balaton Park Circuit, Hungary
Rd5 – 20-22 September – Ceroma Circuit, Italy
Rd6 – 18-20 October – Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, Spain