Ryan Chatfield and Khristian Tailby, who study a Certificate II in Automotive as part of the TAFE-delivered Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program, will work in TAFE NSW’s Mount Panorama Motorsport Training Centre during Australia’s most iconic Supercar race.

TAFE NSW automotive teacher, John Ewing, said it is a great opportunity for the students to get first-hand experience in the industry.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for the students to not only get a close look at the Supercar legends in action, it also gives them the chance to get hands-on and work on a variety of racing cars,” Mr Ewing said.

“Every year TAFE NSW students have the chance to help at the Motorsport Training Centre, with many drivers and teams in many different classes relying on us to help them with mechanical and panel repairs to get them back on the track and racing again.”

Ryan, Khristian and seven other TAFE NSW TVET students from across western NSW spent last Thursday in Bathurst preparing for the event.

They undertook a safety induction, familiarised themselves with the equipment and prepared the Motorsport Training Centre for the big race.

Both students are eager to get to Bathurst over Thursday, October 5 and Sunday, October 8 for the 1000 kilometre touring car race.

“It will be my first time at Mount Panorama for race weekend, so that’s exciting,” Khristian said.

“I’m looking forward to helping the teams fix the damaged cars.”

Ryan said he is excited to see the Supercars in person.

“I really like powerful cars,” he said.

“I can’t wait to hear how loud they are and see how fast they go.”

Mr Ewing said this was just one example of the access to life-changing learning opportunities TAFE NSW provides Automotive students.

For more information about the huge range of TVET and Automotive courses available at TAFE NSW, visit http://www.tafewestern.edu.au or phone 1300 823 393.