Browse over 9,000 car reviews

The truth about grid girls


They bring glitz and glamour to the Clipsal 500 - but there's more than meets the eye when it comes to these grid girls.
 

JESSICA (23) Usual occupation: Marketing co-ordinator at Stamford Hotels. 

How long have you been a grid girl? Three years.

Why did you decide to be a grid girl? Having the chance to be involved with such an iconic Adelaide event as the Clipsal 500 is an amazing opportunity and every year I can't wait for February to come around.

Best thing about being a grid girl? Working with such beautiful and amazing girls and meeting lots of interesting people.

Worst thing? It only comes around once a year.

Tell me about your usual day job: Busy!

How different is your day job to being a grid girl? I work in a corporate environment, so it's nice to get all glammed up for the Clipsal 500 weekend.

How do you think grid girls are perceived? For the most part, quite well. Clipsal always choose the girls who can best represent their company as well as themselves, and it shows through the amazing girls we have on the team. There will always be those few negative people no matter what you do.

Do some people have the wrong perception of grid girls? Everyone in the team has and is achieving great things in their life. There is definitely more than meets the eye.

V8 team of choice? It has to be Holden.

What type of car do you drive? Hyundai Excel.
 


KARA (25) Usual occupation: Miner/trades assistant/student.

How long have you been a grid girl? Two years.

Why did you decide to be a grid girl? When I was in high school I saw them and thought what a glamorous and amazing job that would be.

Best thing about being a grid girl? The atmosphere and excitement of the Clipsal 500 is an amazing experience.

What's the worst aspect? That Clipsal 500 only lasts four days and the week flies by too fast.

Day job? I work at a mine site 600km from Adelaide, doing shutdowns as a gas tester and standby person. The site has both below ground and above ground plants. My job involves testing atmospheres where people will be working to make sure it is safe for them to do their job and to implement any precautions if necessary. When I am not in the mines I work as a trades assistant in Adelaide for a company that installs, repairs and maintains bore pumps. I am also studying my diploma in Occupational Health and Safety to gain a more permanent position in the mining industry.

How different is your day job to being a grid girl? Extremely! I go from no hair and make-up, being hot and sweaty, dirty and wearing baggy overalls and a hard hat, to wearing gorgeous outfits made by an amazing South Australian designer with full hair and make-up and lots of people wanting to take photos.

How do you think grid girls are perceived? They're an exciting addition to the racing scene, adding glitz and glamour.

Do you think some people have the wrong perception of them? People will always have their own perceptions. But we get a positive response from the fans and spectators and we thoroughly enjoy what we do.

V8 team of choice? Holden. Craig Lowndes for Red Bull Racing is always exciting to watch and is a real gentleman.

What car do you drive? A 1993 Mazda MX5 Clubman.



BRITTANY (20) Usual occupation: Sammy D Foundation volunteer, student, bartender at Sky City Adelaide.

How long have you been a grid girl? Three years.

Why did you decide to be a grid girl? I wanted to be a grid girl since I attended Clipsal 500 with my dad from a young age. Seeing the girls in their outfits looked like so much fun. Best thing about being a grid girl? Being on the grid and the Harley Davidson lap.

Worst thing? Early mornings!

Tell me about your day job? I volunteer on the Sammy D Foundation's Great Night Out blog-a-van, which goes around SA collecting video blogs from young people on their thoughts about alcohol-fuelled violence and what must be done about it. Several years ago a good friend, Sam Davis, was king-hit and died in an unprovoked attack, so it's good to spend time supporting the Sammy D Foundation set up in his memory, and help educate young people to understand why it's important to make good decisions, look after mates and ways to avoid violence. I'm also studying psychology and criminal justice at Flinders Uni.

How different is your day job to being a grid girl? Being a grid girl we get to meet many different types of people, which is quite similar to what I do every day, just with less glitz.

How do you think grid girls are perceived? Too often we're seen as being a bit 'ditzy".

Do people have the wrong perception of them? I think some do. Most of us are either studying or in careers, as well as knowing a lot about the race.

V8 team of choice? Holden.

What car do you drive? Holden Barina.
 

View cars for sale