Life in the fast lane

After graduating from Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Karyn studied a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at The University of Queensland, when she faced her first fork in the road.

During a farm stay near Canberra, Karyn had every intention of participating in horse riding, but the weather had other plans. The owner of the property instead took her on an advanced driving lesson which sparked her interest in rally driving.

As a junior doctor, Karyn was unsuccessful on her first Dermatology exam and so went down the path to become a General Practitioner. But it wasn’t until a chance meeting in a carpark stairwell that Karyn’s career accelerated.

This serendipitous chat with Dr Iain Corness—longtime race driver and Quit Racing Team owner—set in motion Karyn’s introduction to circuit racing and the medical chase car.

‘If I hadn't failed my first dermatology exam, I wouldn't have worked as a GP, and I wouldn't have ended up in Motorsport,’ she says.

After working in General Practice for five years, Karyn faced yet another major turning point, a reconnection with a friend afforded her a deviation from General Practice to Dermatology, a speciality she had endeavoured to enter earlier in her career journey.

While commencing a Fellowship with the Australasian College of Dermatologists, Karyn had the opportunity to train for a year at the prestigious St Johns Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas’ Hospital in London.

Throughout her long career trajectory, Karyn always made time for motorsport. 

Karyn has now been in motorsport for 30 years, working as a medical official at club events and rally meetings, national Supercar events and international Formula 1 races, and most recently promoted to Assistant Chief Medical Officer for the Australian Grand Prix. It’s a fast-paced, intensive role that requires critical decision-making in time-sensitive situations. 

‘My role involves strategic planning and deployment of our medical team assets including doctors, nurses, paramedics, fast intervention vehicles, extrication teams and trackside medical personnel,’ she says.

‘We work closely with the Formula 1 FIA medical delegates and rescue personnel.  

‘We also are involved in the training and preparation of many teams and run training and extrication exercises on the Wednesday prior to the event and are assessed by the FIA.

‘During the event, we are responsible for the drivers, teams, officials and contractors to the event. The care of the public is managed by another medical provider, and we work closely together in case of a major incident which may involve both track and public personnel.’ 

Karyn is passionate about involving and empowering women in motorsport. She has served on the Women of Australia Motor Sport Committee and the Australian Women in Motorsport Commission, and is currently on the National Medical Advisory Committee for Motorsport Australia and have been appointed as a Girls on Track Champion for the 2024 FIA/Motorsport Australia program. 

‘As an FIA/Motorsport Australia Girls on Track Champion, I was involved in the Career development and mentoring network lunch event on the Thursday of the Melbourne Grand Prix. I had the chance to catch up with some of the young ladies I’ve met and mentored through the Girls on Track program over the years.’   

Her advice to young women hoping to enter the world of motorsport is simple: volunteer. 

‘There are increasing opportunities for young women to enter and build a career in motorsport, in all areas—from engineering, to IT, communications, or officials. In recent years we have seen programs like Girls on Track offer women entry points into the world of motorsport, but these highly competitive pathways are not the only way in. Volunteering as a Motorsport Australia official not only gives you an insight into the motorsport industry, it is also community service that will boost your CV!’ 

The journey post-school is rarely linear. Personal experiences, connections and following new and old passions have taken Karyn on a different track to a career she loves.

'Each (season) will begin with a waypoint, but the curious thing about these turning points, is that they are often only clear well after they have occurred,’ she says.

‘Be open to the possibilities, be curious, and above all, be kind to yourself and those around you.'

Karyn spoke of the post-school journey at the 2024 Valedictory Dinner, imparting advice to the graduating class on embracing failure and leaning into life’s turning points.