PODCAST: Alice aims for Supercars

Teenager Alice Buckley is emerging as one of Australian motorsport’s brightest prospects, with her sights now firmly set on a Supercars career. At just 18, the Queensland driver has already claimed the Toyota GR Scholarship Series crown and delivered standout performances in the TA2 Muscle Car Series, a combination that has cemented her reputation as a future star.

“Supercars is the goal and we’re going to keep working towards that,” Buckley told Jax Tyres & Auto Race for the Championship’s Mark Fogarty in a special episode.

“At the moment, we’re just focusing on this year, but the opportunities that come with good results are exciting.”

Buckley’s adaptability has been a hallmark of her rise, seamlessly switching between the nimble Toyota 86 and the powerful TA2 V8. With guidance from Supercars veteran Tim Slade – who has helped with setup work – she has quickly adapted to the demands of big horsepower machinery.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have Tim as an amazing driver on my team,” she said.

Her progress has been accelerated by a support network that includes high-profile mentors and major corporate backers. Long-time sponsor Castrol is joined by Chevrolet Racing, AC Delco, Shannon’s Insurance and GM, giving Buckley strong ties across the motorsport landscape. Training at Paul Morris’ Norwell Motorplex has also exposed her to stars including Craig Lowndes, Will Brown, Brock Feeney and Shane van Gisbergen.

Racing has been part of Buckley’s life from an early age. She started karting at six, raced in Hyundai Excels by 14, joined the Toyota 86 Series at 15, and climbed into a TA2 car at 17. Despite only holding her driver’s licence for a year, she is already competing with – and beating – experienced rivals.

While the exact timing of a Supercars debut remains uncertain, her link with Chevrolet Racing opens doors for the next step, whether through Super2 or a wildcard appearance.

“We don’t know what the future’s going to hold at all,” she said.

“But we’ll keep working towards Supercars.”

Buckley is also proud to be part of the push to increase female participation in motorsport.

“Pressure is a privilege,” she said.

“At the end of the day, I’m just another competitor. It all comes down to performance.”

Her immediate focus is the next TA2 round at Mallala, South Australia, where she hopes to add another trophy to an already remarkable season.