words – Merik Nesbitt, Albury Wodonga Kart Club
pics – Tim Francis & Brad McLaren/BPM Photography
The Pink Plate returned to Albury Wodonga Kart Club in 2026 and delivered exactly what the event has become renowned for – relentless intensity, sharp precision, and a level of resilience that continues to define women’s karting in Australia. Over a full weekend of competition, the Pink Plate once again proved it is far more than a race meeting, it is a proving ground.
- full results on Speedhive HERE
- photos by Tim Francis HERE
- photos by BPM Photography – Friday HERE, Saturday HERE, Sunday HERE
This year, the Albury Wodonga summer added its own layer of challenge, with temperatures nudging 40°C on the opening day and forecast to reach 45°C on day two. The heat tested both drivers and their karts, pushing tyres, engines, and endurance to the limit. In response, officials made the difficult decision to reduce the number of laps for Heat 3 and the Finals, balancing safety with competition while adding another layer of strategy to an already intense weekend.
From the opening laps of qualifying to the final chequered flag, margins were tight and pressure was unrelenting. Qualifying sessions were split by thousandths, races were decided by nerve and race craft, and drivers were repeatedly pushed to respond, adapt, and deliver under genuine race conditions. Talent didn’t just participate, it stood up, took control, and demanded attention.
Momentum shifted constantly across the weekend. Early pace meant nothing without execution. Drivers were forced to think, manage tyres, chase setup, and strike when opportunities presented themselves, all while coping with punishing summer conditions. It was a clear reminder of why the Pink Plate holds its place as one of the most important events on the karting calendar.
Cadet 9 – sponsored by Priceline Pharmacy Albury
Qualifying set the benchmark for the weekend with an extraordinary display of parity. Pole sitter Maddie Tresillian edged Iris Nisi by just 0.002 seconds, with Makayla Draper less than a tenth away in third, a sign of what was to come.
From there, Draper took control in emphatic fashion. A decisive launch in Heat 2 saw her surge from third to first within half a corner, immediately breaking the rhythm of the pack. From that moment, she dictated the pace, extending her advantage race by race and closing out the Final with a commanding 5.606-second victory, all while battling the relentless heat and shortened laps that forced precision at every turn. Tresillian and Nisi completed a podium that reflected just how tightly matched the class remained all weekend.
Cadet 12 – sponsored by GNT Racewear
Alana Gurney established herself early as the benchmark and backed it up when the pressure arrived. The opening heats delivered close, sustained battles, with Western Australians Emily-Grace Hamar and Gemma Phillips applying constant pressure.
Gurney edged Hamar in Heat 1, stamped her authority in Heat 2 with a controlled win of just over a second, and from there transitioned into calculated race management. By Heat 3 and into the Final, shortened due to extreme heat, she asserted full control, sealing a clean and convincing overall victory built on composure and race intelligence. Hamar secured second overall, with Phillips rounding out a well-earned podium.
KA3 Junior Light – sponsored by Priceline Pharmacy Albury
Scarlett Stevens delivered one of the most complete performances of the entire meeting. Pole position in qualifying was followed by absolute control across every race. While incidents unfolded behind her, Stevens remained untouchable at the front.
Heat 3 saw her stretch the margin beyond three seconds, and in the shortened Final, she closed out a flawless win ahead of Scarlett Pittam and Erin Phillips. The punishing summer heat only amplified the challenge, highlighting Stevens’ maturity, focus, and endurance—a clean sweep that placed her in a league of her own.
KA3 Junior Heavy – sponsored by Priceline Pharmacy Albury
Backing up her Junior Light form, Scarlett Stevens doubled down in Junior Heavy. Pole position translated into four consecutive victories, each delivered with authority under blistering conditions.
Her adaptability, stamina, and composure across both classes were undeniable. Zoe Vuichoud and Elenah Rankin completed the podium, with Vuichoud setting the fastest lap of the Final—a reminder of the depth and pace chasing the dominant winner.
KA3 Senior Light – sponsored by Priceline Pharmacy Albury
With the largest field of the weekend, KA3 Senior Light promised entertainment and it delivered in full. A standout entrant was Elly Morrow, whose experience as a former Super2 driver with Brad Jones Racing and Tickford Racing, combined with her current role with Tom Williamson Motorsport, brought a layer of elite motorsport expertise to the grid.
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Lily Sugden narrowly claimed pole and navigated the heats with measured precision. The Final provided late drama, with a mechanical issue forcing a recovery drive that reshuffled the order and kept fans on edge until the chequered flag.
Jess Fortanier ultimately emerged victorious, claiming the Pink Plate. Chloe Potter initially crossed the line in second ahead of Morrow, but a drop-down penalty relegated Potter to fourth. The final podium was awarded to Fortanier, Morrow, and Sugden, acknowledging Sugden’s impressive recovery drive in a race decided right to the flag.
KA3 Senior Medium – sponsored by Priceline Pharmacy Albury
Ella Dealy was the class of the field from the outset. Dominant margins in the heats placed a clear target on her back, and the Final delivered one of the most intense contests of the weekend.
A sustained battle with Holly Buchanan pushed both drivers to their limits. Dealy absorbed relentless pressure and held firm to take the win, while Buchanan set the fastest lap of the Final, ensuring the fight was as tight as it was compelling.
TAG Restricted Light – sponsored by Kartbay
Razor-thin qualifying margins set the tone for a fiercely competitive class, with multiple race winners across the heats keeping the outcome wide open heading into the Final.
When it mattered most, Bickerton delivered, claiming victory by just 0.425 seconds over Chloe Terell. August Soward completed the podium after a consistently strong weekend in punishing heat.
TAG Restricted Medium – King of the Road Truck Wash
Renee Hinds produced one of the most dominant performances of the meeting. Pole position by over a second translated into four emphatic race wins, capped off by a 13.645-second Final victory, a flawless weekend from lights to flag.
Kaitlyn Hawkins completed the podium after a weekend defined by relentless pace at the front and the challenge of managing equipment under scorching temperatures.
TAG Light – sponsored by Priceline Pharmacy Albury
Following an incredibly close qualifying session, Grace Riddell claimed pole, narrowly edging out Elly Morrow and Mia Mifsud, with all three separated by just two-tenths of a second.
Morrow responded in style during the heats, producing exceptional drives that showcased her skill and determination. Yet heading into the Final, nothing was guaranteed, both Riddell and Mifsud remained hot on her heels, keeping the pressure high and every lap tense.
In the Final, Morrow delivered a masterclass drive, controlling the race from start to finish. Her ability to read the field, and maintain focus allowed her to cross the line ahead of Mifsud and Riddell. The drive was a perfect demonstration of her natural talent, adaptability, proving she can consistently extract the maximum from both herself and her machinery.
Ladies Masters – sponsored by Priceline Pharmacy Albury
The event offered a new class this year for Ladies over 35 to compete in Ladies Masters. For some, this was their first-ever race at Albury/Wodonga—locals Alli Pink, Mel Williamson and Sheree Muller. It was Alli, however, who stood out, completing a perfect weekend with pole position, every heat, and the Final. Williamson and Muller applied consistent pressure throughout in a tightly contested field, demonstrating both grit and skill under punishing summer heat.
Driver of the Weekend – Lily Sugden
Lily Sugden is my Driver of the Weekend.
Competing in the most tightly contested class and the largest field of the weekend, she faced fierce competition at every turn. While the Final didn’t go her way, Sugden’s relentless determination, even while battling engine issues, secured her an impressive 3rd overall. Having only recently stepped up to KA3 Senior from Junior classes in late 2025, she is already showing remarkable skill and composure. Definitely a rising star to keep an eye on throughout the 2026 season.
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