The thrill of watching the fast-paced world of motorsport is unlike any other – seeing these powerful machines pushing the limits of speed as the smell of rubber fills the air is a truly spectacular sight.
Part of the prize for winning MTA Institute’s Apprentice of the Month award was the opportunity to attend the Gold Coast 500 Supercars event held in October. Courtesy of Gates Australia, four local apprentices were treated to the full corporate experience, watching the practice races from the first-class view of the Penrite Racing suite.
In an experience that would make any Supercars enthusiast green with envy, the apprentices were able to observe the Penrite team in action with a tour of the pits and a Q & A session with drivers David Reynolds and Matt Payne.
“It was an absolutely incredible day. We got to take a look at what goes on behind the scenes and witness the precision, speed, and skill it takes to get a race car ready. The team at Penrite were very helpful and open to answering all our questions!” said Melissa Smith, a third year auto electrical apprentice at Crank Auto Electrics & Air Conditioning.
“The Penrite Racing suite provided a fantastic view of the main stretch, so we were able to watch, (and hear!) the cars drive past us at full pace. We were even given a set of headphones to listen to the Penrite team talking on the radio during their practice laps!”
For MTA Institute Director Marcello Riotto, who escorted the apprentices on the day, watching them take full advantage of the experience and listen intently as the Penrite mechanics spoke was very rewarding.
“During the pit tour, the Penrite Racing team pointed out various mechanical components specific to their vehicle, including the recent parity changes for the Gold Coast round, followed by a demonstration of the engine being started up, and the loud purr it produced. It was amazing to see the students’ curious faces light up with excitement,” said Marcello.
“For MTA Queensland and the MTA Institute, encouraging and supporting apprentices as they begin their career is vital. For them, having the chance to attend one of Australia’s premiere motorsport events and getting a first-hand look at the inner workings of a supercars team is an unforgettable experience. We couldn’t be more grateful to Gates Corporation for making this possible and look forward to further collaborations in the future.”
For Gates Australia, a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions, hosting MTA Institute’s apprentices for the day forms part of a larger apprenticeship program established around a year ago.
Understanding the large exit rate of third-year apprentices from the industry, the program is designed to engage with apprentices, recognise and reward them for their hard work, and showcase where an automotive career can lead.
“Gates is passionate about supporting the future generation of our industry and aligning with partners like MTA Institute, the largest private provider of automotive apprenticeship training in Queensland, to further engage with students across Australia,” said Priscilla Robb, Marketing Manager at Gates Australia. “The objective of the Gates Australia Apprentice program is to reward young apprentice mechanics and demonstrate to them there is more to the industry than just the daily grind.
“It was an absolute privilege to host the MTA Queensland team and their apprentices on Friday at the Gold Coast 500 event, and Gates are extremely proud to now be partnering with MTA Queensland to activate initiatives such as this,” she said. “We are focused on playing our small part in their education on doing the ‘right job the first time’, using high-quality branded products like Gates belts and hoses for complete system replacements.”
Following the apprenticeship opportunities provided at the Townsville and Gold Coast 500 races, Gates Australia have become a proud sponsor of the 2023 MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year award, with the winner receiving an exclusive all-expenses paid, week-long work experience opportunity at the newly renovated Penrite Racing workshop in Braeside, Victoria.
For the record, the Golf Coast 500 results saw Cameron Waters of Monster Energy Racing take the win in Race 25 of the Supercars season, with Shane van Gisbergen in second and David Reynolds third. In Race 26, the Penrite Racing team had a sensational result with Reynolds taking the victory and Matt Payne snagging fourth spot.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (November 2023)
9 November 2023
