Summer Rintoule

Summer Rintoule is an 18-year-old Australian racing driver from Hollywell, Queensland, who went from complete novice to Triple Eight Race Engineering’s first female driver in less than three years—and she’s making the most of every second behind the wheel.

EARLY YEARS

Born on May 3, 2007, in Hollywell, Queensland, on Australia’s Gold Coast, Rintoule’s entry into motorsport wasn’t a childhood dream—it was an “out of the blue” moment that happened in mid-2022 when she was 15 years old[1]. Unlike many racers who grew up karting from age five, she came to the sport late, with zero racing experience. But what she lacked in early-start advantage, she made up for in raw determination and a willingness to learn fast.

Rintoule began her racing career in the EFS Excel Series in mid-2022, cutting her teeth in grassroots competition[2]. By the end of that year, she’d progressed to the TGRA Scholarship Series for the final two rounds, demonstrating enough promise to catch the attention of serious teams[2].

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond racing, Rintoule is deeply invested in fitness and simulator training, recognizing that success on track requires discipline off it. She keeps up her conditioning with gym sessions and cycling, treating her physical preparation with the same seriousness as her track time[3]. She’s also become a social media presence, documenting her racing journey online—a move that earned her Toyota’s “Publicity Star” award during the 2024 GR Cup season for best promotion in media and on socials[4].

She’s also passionate about inspiring the next generation of women in motorsport. Rintoule has participated in programs like “Girls in STEM & Motorsport,” where she’s met with young girls interested in racing careers and shared insights alongside professionals like female race engineer Romy Mayer[5].

EARLY SUCCESS

Rintoule’s rapid ascent is the kind of story that makes skeptics take notice. After her initial outings in the Excel Series, she moved into the Toyota GR 86 Championship for the 2023-2024 season at age 16, competing with Action Motorsport[6]. She held her own on New Zealand circuits like Taupo, facing off against more experienced drivers and learning racecraft at speed.

Her talent didn’t go unnoticed. In 2024, she stepped up to GT4 Australia, piloting a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport while continuing to race in the Toyota GR 86 Series—effectively running two championships simultaneously[7]. That alone would be impressive, but she made an immediate impact in her rookie GT4 season, consistently running at the sharp end and proving she belonged among Australia’s rising GT talent.

By late 2024, Triple Eight Race Engineering—the most successful team in Australian Supercars history—announced Rintoule as their first female driver signing. At 17, she was tapped to drive the team’s Mercedes-AMG GT4 in the 2025 Monochrome GT4 Australia Series alongside co-driver Jarrod Hughes[8]. It was a landmark moment: Triple Eight backing a teenage female driver with less than three years of experience spoke volumes about her potential.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2022: Began racing career mid-season in EFS Excel Series; progressed to TGRA Scholarship Series[2].
• 2023-2024: Competed in Toyota GR 86 Championship in New Zealand, earning Toyota’s “Publicity Star” award[4].
• 2024: Made GT4 Australia debut in Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport; finished rookie season with multiple podiums[7].
• 2024: Signed as first female driver for Triple Eight Race Engineering’s GT4 program[8].
• 2025: Achieved multiple podium finishes in GT4 Australia at Sandown, Queensland Raceway, and Hampton Downs; finished third in Silver Cup division with co-driver Jarrod Hughes[9][10][11].
• 2025: Came within one second of first GT4 Australia victory at Queensland Raceway[10].
• 2025: Tested TA2 Camaro, expanding experience across multiple racing disciplines[12].

INSPIRATIONS

While specific personal inspirations aren’t detailed in available records, Rintoule’s engagement with initiatives like the SuperGEMS program—designed to inspire young women to pursue STEM and motorsport careers—suggests she’s motivated by the opportunity to pave the way for others[13]. Her involvement in mentorship roles and media promotion indicates she understands the broader responsibility that comes with being a visible female presence in a male-dominated sport.

REPUTATION

Rintoule has quickly earned a reputation as a fast learner with genuine racecraft. Triple Eight team principal Jamie Whincup publicly commended her “truly remarkable” GT4 season, high praise from a seven-time Supercars champion who doesn’t hand out compliments lightly[14]. Her ability to adapt to different machinery—from Excel cars to Toyota GR 86s, Porsche GT4s, Mercedes-AMG GT4s, and even a TA2 Camaro—demonstrates versatility that suggests she’s more than a one-series wonder.

What stands out is her consistency. In her rookie GT4 season with Triple Eight, she and Hughes delivered podium after podium, finishing third in the competitive Silver Cup division[14]. She’s shown she can race wheel-to-wheel, manage pressure, and execute under the intense scrutiny that comes with representing one of Australia’s most prestigious racing operations.

Her social media presence and approachability have also made her a fan favorite and an effective ambassador for the sport, particularly among younger audiences and aspiring female racers.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

While specific 2025-and-beyond plans aren’t publicly detailed, the trajectory is clear: Rintoule is positioning herself for higher-level competition. Her seat with Triple Eight Race Engineering provides access to world-class resources, engineering expertise, and potential pathways into Supercars or international GT racing. Testing across multiple platforms—including the TA2 Camaro—indicates she’s exploring opportunities and building the experience base needed for a long-term professional career.

Given her rapid progression and the backing of one of Australia’s top teams, it’s reasonable to expect she’ll continue climbing the motorsport ladder, potentially targeting a full-time professional drive in a major touring car or GT championship. If the first three years are any indication, she’s just getting started.

References:

[1] Meet Triple Eight’s newest driver signing Summer Rintoule – Speedcafe
[2] Triple Eight reveals latest venture, signs rising stars – Supercars
[3] Summer Rintoule – Toyota NZ
[4] Max Geoghegan wins 2024 TGRA GR Cup after dramatic season finale – Toyota Australia
[5] 2025 ‘Girls in STEM & Motorsport Program’ Accelerates Forward
[6] Summer Rintoule – Driver Database
[7] Zoe Woods and Summer Rintoule add more podiums to their GT4 Australia campaigns in Sandown – Racers Behind the Helmet
[8] Triple Eight Race Engineering announce Monochrome GT4 Australia entry – GT4 Australia
[9] Summer Rintoule and Zoe Woods end GT4 Australia campaign with podiums in Hampton Downs – Racers Behind the Helmet
[10] Summer Rintoule and Zoe Woods continue strong GT4 Australia campaign with podium finishes in Queensland – Racers Behind the Helmet
[11] Zoe Woods and Summer Rintoule add more podiums – Sandown – Racers Behind the Helmet
[12] Former Triple Eight racer tests TA2 Camaro – V8 Sleuth
[13] Supercars, Griffith University unveil program to inspire women in motorsport – Supercars
[14] Whincup commends Rintoule’s ‘truly remarkable’ GT4 season – Speedcafe