Nowra Hill teenager Imogen Radburn to feature in Formula Ford while completing HSC

Year 12 student Imogen Radburn is preparing for her second season of Formula Ford racing, while also finishing up her HSC.She explained the difficulty of juggling both, and her future goals.

SINCE she started racing in go-karts three years ago, Imogen Radburn has continued to climb the Australian motorsport ladder.

Holding two NSW state titles, the 17-year-old finally got a call-up to race in Formula Ford with CHE racing in 2022 and is about to embark on her second season in the series, despite also taking her HSC this year.

Radburn said her rookie season was a lot to get her head around.

“(First season in Formula Ford) was challenging to say the least. It was a big step up from only doing around two years of go-karting during Covid and then getting into a 250 km/h car was pretty huge to take on.” Radburn said.

Radburn finished the 2022 NSW season in 4th, collecting 12 points in six races.

But despite finishing on the lower end of the standings, Radburn said she’s really pleased with the results, given it was her first time competing in a car.

“The guys that I raced against, they’ve either raced for ten years, or they’ve been in Formula Ford, or at least a car, for a long time.” she said.

Teenage motorsport rising star Imogen Radburn

At 17, the young motorsports star has more experience competing on-track than in a road car.

The demands of competing have impacted Radburn’s education, often needing to complete schoolwork and assignments early to accommodate for her racing.

However, she confirmed her school and teachers have been very supportive and are happy to work around her racing schedule.

“With being in year 12 this year, it’s going to be a lot harder to get assessments, exams and tests done.” Radburn conceded.

“But the teachers fully support me, so it‘s good that I have them behind me. And I just spend a lot of lunches with them, emailing, a lot of distance education.”

With the support of those around her, Radburn is determined to make her name in Motorsport, and has big plans for her future.

Imogen Radburn is preparing for her second season in Formula Ford.

“Hoping to get to Supercars, that’s my end goal. Or going overseas and getting a Porsche factory drive.”

Being part of CHE racing, Radburn is able to work with one of her idols, Cam Hill, who recently secured a Supercars drive with Matt Stone Racing for 2023.

Radburn admires his work ethic, and the “massive results” he’s achieved so far.

The national Formula Ford season starts in Sandown in mid-February, and Radburn plans to continuing with karting, and possibly get a seat in the Aussie Racing Cars Super Series.