Australian Midget Car racer Zoe Pearce is a third-generation speedway star who became the first woman in 90 years of Victorian Speedcar Drivers Association history to win a Midget feature race—and she’s just getting started.

EARLY YEARS

Born in 2002, Pearce began her racing career at just five years old in Junior Quarter Midgets, growing up trackside with racing literally in her DNA. Her grandfather on her father’s side raced TQs (Three-Quarter Midgets), making her a third-generation competitor in the sport. She methodically worked her way through the restricted 120cc, open 120cc, and 160cc classes with steady success, racking up more than 25 feature wins before she even reached her teens. That early foundation wasn’t just about trophies—it was about learning racecraft, throttle control, and how to handle yourself when the track gets sketchy and the competition gets fierce.

OTHER INTERESTS

While racing dominates her life, Pearce has been noted for her maturity and articulate communication skills off the track. Interviews reveal someone who speaks fluently and modestly about her accomplishments—a rarity in a sport where egos often run as hot as the engines. She’s described as a quality human being who handles the spotlight with grace, suggesting interests that extend beyond the cockpit into genuine connection with fans and fellow racers alike.

EARLY SUCCESS

Pearce’s transition from Quarter Midgets to full-size Midget Cars proved she wasn’t just good for her age or good “for a girl”—she was simply good, full stop. She secured feature wins at venues like Avalon Raceway, demonstrating the kind of racecraft that turns heads and shuts down doubters. By 19, she was already establishing herself as a legitimate contender on the Australian speedway scene, competing in premier events like the Australian Speedcar Championship at Murray Bridge Speedway and the Formula 500 Victorian Title at Laang Speedway. Her driving style combined aggression with intelligence, the kind that gets you to the front without tearing up equipment—or yourself.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• First woman in 90 years of VSDA history to win a Midget feature race[1]
• 2024: Crashed at Lake Ozark Speedway while competing in the United States, demonstrating her willingness to race internationally[2]
• 2025: Secured second place at Murray Bridge in a historic podium finish for Australian Speedcars[3]
• 2025: Competed in New Zealand dirt track racing with notable results including Top 5 finishes in 45% of her 20 races at Palmerston North[4]
• 2026: Competed in the prestigious Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, racing for McQueen Racing in a Bullet chassis[5]
• 2026: Feature winner at various venues demonstrating consistency across different tracks and conditions[6]

INSPIRATIONS

As a third-generation racer, inspiration literally runs in the family. Growing up watching her grandfather’s racing legacy and learning from her father’s side of the family gave Pearce both the technical foundation and the competitive fire needed to succeed. She’s openly acknowledged the path her family laid before her, but she’s also carving out her own identity—breaking barriers that stood for nine decades and proving that talent doesn’t have a gender requirement.

REPUTATION

Pearce has earned respect not just for her speed, but for how she carries herself. Described as “the real deal” and “a tremendous young racer on the rise,” she’s built a reputation as someone who lets her driving do the talking. Her modest demeanor combined with her on-track aggression creates a compelling package that’s attracted attention from racing media and fans across Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. She’s not out there playing the “girl racer” card—she’s simply a racer who happens to be making history while doing what she loves. The fact that she’s articulate, approachable, and genuine only adds to her appeal in a sport that desperately needs more ambassadors like her.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

For the 2025/26 season, Pearce partnered with Kiwi racer Carlos Stone for a major campaign at Baypark Speedway in New Zealand, backed by an impressive roster of sponsors including iVent, Smart Water, Lucas Oil, HRD, and Fastmaster, with additional support from Carbon. The move signals her intention to expand her racing footprint internationally and take on the best competition across multiple countries. With her track record of breaking barriers and winning races, it’s clear she’s not just aiming to participate—she’s aiming to dominate, inspire, and continue rewriting what’s possible for women in open-wheel racing.

REFERENCES

[1] Australian Star Zoe Pearce Joins Kiwi Racer Carlos Stone for a Big Season at Baypark Speedway
[2] Zoe Pearce Crash Lake Ozark Speedway 7/6/24
[3] Historic Weekend at Murray Bridge – SA Speedcars
[4] Zoe Pearce 91AU Race Results – SpeedwayLive
[5] Get Ready for the 40th Chili Bowl Midget Nationals – Motorsport.com
[6] 2025 Feature Winners – Hyper Racing
The Rise and Rise of Zoe Pearce – YouTube
Zoe Pearce – Aussie Speedway Open Wheel Star on the Rise – YouTube
About – Zoe Pearce Racing
Zoe Pearce Racing – YouTube Channel