After over 11 years of organising track events Jo is waving the chequered flag and taking a break from track events.

Track events are the most complex events that car clubs can run and attention to detail may literally mean the difference between life and death. The paperwork is considerable, the demands of participants can be relentless and all the volunteers need to be organised.  The entire event needs to be controlled and coordinated.

For many of our track events Jo has been the admin and the race control, dealing with helmet hire, registrations on the day, allocating numbers, coordinating with timing, assigning marshal jobs, controlling the track access and session start/stop, watching for track infringements and disciplining those who transgress, chasing up those without numbers on their car (or the wrong numbers) and more. All while keeping everyone happy and a (safe and sensible) party atmosphere.

For all of this over a sustained period Motorsport Australia recognised Jo with a Service award in 2021.

Although we now have a fabulous team who take on much of this work on the day, there is still a lot that falls to Jo both in the days and weeks beforehand and on the day itself.

Understandably, all this has taken its toll and now is the time to step down from organising track events (but not other club activities) – maybe not forever and, knowing Jo, not completely however much that may be the intention!

Thankfully Jo has built an amazing team and we are confident of a successor, so BMWDCM track days may not come to a halt (although the challenges of getting enough out on track given the costs and living expenses remains).

As a close observer of what happens on a track day (and pitifully small helper), on behalf of the club, thank you to Jo for creating an environment where so many people have had so much enjoyment at so little cost, and for encouraging and mentoring so many into the various roles involved in running a track day.

Read on for Jo’s announcement and some comments from others from the most recent track day event at Sandown on July 12, a combination of the Kaos Custom Bikes Come a Try day and Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship Supersprint.

Lawrence Glynn

Treasurer

#3

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Yesterday we had some great experiences, ranging from entrants who had never driven before to a classic car getting a shake down for the first time on the track.

We hope you all had a great day and for the Come and Try group, we hope you learnt more about yourself, your car and driving in general. 

Our dedicated instructors worked very hard yesterday and we could not hold these days without them so I hope you enjoyed this experience. 

Sadly this will be my last event as (Motorsport) Event Secretary as I am mentally and phyically exhausted and need to take a step back and hand over the baton. 

You will still see me around and I will be helping whoever takes on this role and I am sure the events will be even bigger and better than before. 

Watch out for updates on who will be taking over and I hope you give them the same respect and support as you have given me over the years. 

Jo Mawson

#2
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Dear Jo,

On behalf of all of us officials, I want to sincerely thank you for everything you’ve done, not just at last week’s event, but throughout your many years of dedicated service to motorsport and to our community.

Your journey, from stepping in to help at Winton in 2014 to becoming a cornerstone of the BMW Drivers Club Melbourne and a mentor to so many, is nothing short of inspiring. If only there were more people like you in our sport! The passion, skill and generosity you’ve brought to every role, even while facing your own medical challenges, speak volumes about your strength and resilience. You’ve continued to give your time, energy and heart to both the sport and the people around you, showing what true dedication looks like. Whether as Event Secretary, trainer, coach, VSOP member or flaggie, you’ve left an indelible mark on the sport and on all of us who’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside you.

It’s clear you’ve given so much of yourself to ensure others could learn, grow and enjoy these events and it shows in the countless officials you’ve trained and inspired along the way. While we’ll all miss your steady hand at the helm, organisational skills and commanding voice, it’s great to know that your legacy will continue in the many people you’ve mentored and the incredible BMWDCM you helped build.

I also share your feelings about the challenges officials face and will continue advocating for the recognition and support we all deserve; we can only hope that Motorsport Australia can get the formula right someday.

Jo, thank you for your leadership, friendship and tireless contribution to the sport. We wish you the very best in your next chapter and we look forward to catching up with you at future events, hopefully with a little less admin and a little more time to enjoy the track!

Warm regards,

Mark D Thompson
Victorian State Officiating Panel - Chair
Victorian State Council - Deputy Chair
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Wow, what a fantastic day we were treated to. And whilst I was called to the Steward’s office with a rookie error (reversing into the garage, I admit it was nice to have an excuse to go up and take peek!

It’s such a great community to be part of, full of friendly, approachable people and keen to help one another. Including your good self!

I am sorry to hear that you are stepping back, at least for now, though I am sure anyone that has even an inkling of all that you are covering off can understand. I do hope to see you at upcoming events and I am grateful for all that you have done to make us feel welcome (and to make sure we are in the right place at the right time!).

Best wishes,
Mark Foxwell   #1190
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Dear Jo
I just wanted to say a big, heartfelt thank you for everything you’ve done – for the club, for the sport, and for all of us lucky enough to have crossed paths.

You’ve been the heart and soul of so many events, always bringing your boundless energy, calm head, and that warm smile that somehow makes even the most chaotic day feel like it’s under control. Your dedication has been extraordinary – and even if I haven’t said it every time, I’ve always appreciated everything you do, both on and off the track.

On a personal note, you’ve been my motorsport mum – even though you’re far too young for that title (let’s just say it’s honorary ). You always took time out of your incredibly busy schedule to check in on me and make sure I was okay – even when you had a thousand other things going on. I’ll never forget you taking me to the doctor and staying with me after my Phillip Island crash – that was above and beyond, and something I’ll always be grateful for.

You didn’t just look after me – you also kept Scarlett entertained and feeling part of the action when she came along as my pit crew and didn’t have much to do while I was out on the track. It meant the world to me knowing she was in such kind and capable hands.

I’m sure you won’t be away for long – we all know motorsport doesn’t let its favourites go that easily – but I really do hope you take this time to look after yourself and enjoy a well-deserved break. You’ve more than earned it.

Thank you again for all the laughs, all the support, and all the quiet things you’ve done that made such a huge difference. You’ll be sorely missed but never forgotten – and your impact will keep racing on well into the future.

With enormous appreciation and much love.

Kind regards  Adam Sleep #421

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Hello Jo

Wishing you all the best for a relaxing break from the hectic event secretary role.

I have immense gratitude to you and the team for such great organisation and giving folks like me a chance to take up grassroots motorsport.

All the best, hope to see you soon at the track having a relaxing time!

Cheers

Drew Matthews #903
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Congratulations Jo. On your wonderful career and many achievements with the Club,  and feel especially privileged to meet such  a dedicated person working tirelessly for the Club and your beautiful family. 
Danny O'Callaghen #721
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Hello Jo, 
Thank-you again for accomodating me and “my” very old car at your parade laps. I appreciate the efforts of all BMWDCM members to make me feel welcome and supported as I had my first real drive in the Austin 7 race car. It was wonderful to meet so many people interested in the little car. My drive experience was one of learning, the car steers quite well at the low speed I was driving at and I’m keen to go faster however the temperature gauge started reading hot and I was told to drive faster to help keep the car cool unfortunately a strange knocking sound come from the engine bay at a speed I estimated was about 60kph (the car doesn’t have a speedo) I was left wondering if I was cooking the car or the engine was going to throw a rod. The Austin hasn’t been driven for about 5 years so i have a few things to check out. I have ordered a helmet and I’ll be getting a speed licence then i will need to upgrade the harness to pass scrutineering, I may never be fast but I will certainly have some great fun.  

Thank you again.
Michelle Scurr
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Congratulations on your well earned rest Jo !!!
Thanks for your amazing efforts putting all these events together for us lucky folks.
Tim Wise #416
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We will miss you! 
Angelo Carideo #294
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You have left huge shoes to fill.Good luck
Enjoy
Suz Arnott and Mick
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Thanks for all your hard work and the great track events you have brought to us all. 
A well deserved rest I am sure.
Will remember forever fondly the early days when i joined. It is because of you guys I have had some of the best experiences in my life driving and flag marshalling.
Anyway, we'll see you still, looking forward to events continuing, i am sure it will all come together nicely!
Warm regards and much love to you and Graeme.
Mike Skomina #958
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Thank you Jo!!
It wasn’t my first motorsport event, however, it was my first event with the BMWDCM and what a wonderful day we had!!
So thank you for all your efforts in ensuring it ran like a well oiled machine. 
Hope to see you around at any future events I tag along to!
Andrew Huynh  #1434
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I really enjoyed yesterday!
The Parade Laps exceeded my expectations, it was great to get an opportunity to stretch Bertie (the E30) on the track.
 The Safety car driver gave us a chance to get up to quite high speeds and get a feel for track driving. Loved it!
I especially wanted to thank you again for organising the fast laps with Andrew in the Mustang. It was a really great experience for me…
I thought you and the other Volunteers did a great job, thank you….
Clive Meaby. #877

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Thanks the great day as it was my first time with you guys I didn’t know how things worked but everyone was very friendly and accommodating. For me it was a special day as you would have noticed I walked with a pretty bad limp due to the fact that I have MS (multiple sclerosis) and MMN (multifocal motor neuropathy) so I have limited use of my left arm and leg, I had been diagnosed with them 24 years ago to that day, as you could see on the day I have never let that slow me down! 
Stuart Wishart 
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Thanks for all that you have done to help us all get into club motorsport.
That you did it while battling adverse health made it all the more impressive!
I hope you pass the workload on to someone else now and just enjoy your time at the track - as little or as much time as you like.
All the very best to you and Graeme.
Ben Fenwick #547
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Hey Jo,
Just a note of thanks for everything you’ve done for our Club, you’ve done a tremendous job to which I personally am truly grateful. 
I look forward to seeing you at future BMWDCM events, most likely of course for me, Motorsport.
My best wishes until then & once again a heart felt thank you.
Cheers, Simon Meens # 45

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Hi Jo,
Although I’ve only been an official for a short time, I can already see the impact you’ve had on motorsport as a whole.  Many of us know that being an official is not exactly a glamorous job, but it is one we each love for our own reasons.  Your decade of involvement so far, the qualifications you’ve achieved and the success of events such as the one at Sandown shows how deep your passion for motorsport is, and I hope that the accolades you’ve been awarded in some way serve as a form of thanks.
I know your impact on individuals is also felt far and wide.  Your allowances so Michelle could get the Austin 7 on track have had a significant impact; I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so eager to say thank you and then send a written thank you as well.  Oh, and rest assured that when I eventually find that ever elusive Dixi I will do everything I can to get it to a BMWDCM event.
Thank you for all your amazing work organising events, and I hope that this is just a small step backwards so you can join us on a flag point some time soon, and not a total retirement from officiating.
Take care,

Michael Lambert