Motorsport Australia Launches Philanthropic Foundation at Bathurst 1000

Motorsport Australia has officially established the Motorsport Australia Foundation, a new philanthropic organisation created to secure the sustainable growth of Australian motorsport through targeted investments in workforce development, skill acquisition, and community participation.

Unveiled during the prestigious Repco Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama, the Foundation operates in partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation to facilitate philanthropic giving from corporate partners, government bodies, and individual supporters across the sporting ecosystem.

Announcing the launch at Mount Panorama, where over 400 volunteer officials were active on-site delivering the Great Race, Motorsport Australia president,  Andrew Fraser, highlighted the critical operational role played by volunteers across all levels of the sport.

“We are thrilled to launch the Motorsport Australia Foundation during Bathurst weekend, where volunteer officials work tirelessly to deliver a world-class event.”

“The Motorsport Australia Foundation has been established to invest in the people, programs and initiatives that underpin the sport’s long-term success.

“The world-renowned Bathurst 1000 at the iconic Mount Panorama circuit is the perfect place to launch the Foundation, and our first fundraising initiative for officials training and development with a target of $500,000 to deliver expanded training and support for our volunteer community.

“The reason is simple: without our volunteer officials, motorsport is not possible,” Fraser said.

Supercars executive chairman and acting CEO, Barclay Nettlefold, reinforced the necessity of collaborative commercial backing for grassroots sports infrastructure.

“Supercars is proud to be a foundation partner of the Motorsport Australia Foundation, an initiative that recognises our sport is built on the passion and commitment of thousands of people across the country,”

“Volunteer officials are the backbone of Australian motorsport. From grassroots events through to the Repco Bathurst 1000, they are the hardworking people who make competition possible, and investing in their development is an investment in the future of our sport. Without volunteers, we don’t have motorsport.”

SRO Motorsports Australia CEO, Ben McMellan, added: “SRO Motorsports Australia is delighted to get behind this special initiative by Motorsport Australia as our sport simply doesn’t exist without officials.”

“We are more than happy to champion their development and are big supporters of all volunteer officials as their time, experience and effort enable us all to go racing,” McMellan said.

The Foundation’s inaugural fundraising campaign sets an initial target of $500,000 dedicated directly to expanding education, training, and operational support for Australia’s national network of more than 12,500 volunteer officials.

Initial funding will directly enhance state-based training calendars, regional travel subsidies, digital education platforms, onboarding expos, and structured mentoring pipelines.

Major industry stakeholders, including Supercars, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, and SRO Motorsports Australiam, have committed foundational donations to launch the campaign.

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