In this three-part series, Bond University journalism student Medinah Wells interviews Bondies who balanced their studies with the high-octane world of motorsport. Next on the grid, current student Jazi French.
As the daughter of a motorsport prodigy and a dressage champion, Jazi French has horsepower in her blood. Fresh from her debut season in the TGRA Scholarship Series, the Diploma of Business student hopes to compete in multiple racing categories in 2025.
The Scholarship Series is an introductory series to the GR Cup and is designed for amateur drivers to hone their racecraft in preparation for full-time careers on the track. Drivers compete in identical Toyota GR86 cars which are a stepping stone to Australia's premier motor-racing series, Supercars. The 2024 Supercars champion Will Brown is a graduate of the GR Cup, winning it in 2019.
Unlike many of her racing counterparts, French doesn’t have the karting or lower-category experience that helps build a racing foundation. In fact, she only learned to drive a manual transmission in preparation for her first race.
As the daughter of a motorsport prodigy and a dressage champion, Jazi French has horsepower in her blood. Fresh from her debut season in the TGRA Scholarship Series, the Diploma of Business student hopes to compete in multiple racing categories in 2025.
The Scholarship Series is an introductory series to the GR Cup and is designed for amateur drivers to hone their racecraft in preparation for full-time careers on the track. Drivers compete in identical Toyota GR86 cars which are a stepping stone to Australia's premier motor-racing series, Supercars. The 2024 Supercars champion Will Brown is a graduate of the GR Cup, winning it in 2019.
Unlike many of her racing counterparts, French doesn’t have the karting or lower-category experience that helps build a racing foundation. In fact, she only learned to drive a manual transmission in preparation for her first race.
“Coming into the series I was feeling a little bit behind everyone else due to their previous experience in the sport.”
“It's probably made me work a fair bit harder to make sure that I can get up to that level sooner and be competitive during my first couple of years.”
After finishing in the top 20 in her debut season in 2024, the young driver is keeping her training up leading into next year’s series and working on her fitness, cardio, and simulation training to keep her skills sharp.
French’s father Rusty French is an Australian driver and car collector with a special affinity for Porsches, racing in categories from the Australian Porsche Carrera Cup all the way to the Le Mans 24-Hour in 1984. Jazi said her father had become her biggest mentor during her debut season.
Before motor-racing, French was a keen dressage rider who first got into the saddle under her mother's experienced guidance at just two years of age. She started competing at six and by high school was riding at national level, winning the CDI J-class at Willinga Park Dressage by the Sea CDI (Concours Dressage International). French also took second place on her second horse.
“It's probably made me work a fair bit harder to make sure that I can get up to that level sooner and be competitive during my first couple of years.”
After finishing in the top 20 in her debut season in 2024, the young driver is keeping her training up leading into next year’s series and working on her fitness, cardio, and simulation training to keep her skills sharp.
French’s father Rusty French is an Australian driver and car collector with a special affinity for Porsches, racing in categories from the Australian Porsche Carrera Cup all the way to the Le Mans 24-Hour in 1984. Jazi said her father had become her biggest mentor during her debut season.
Before motor-racing, French was a keen dressage rider who first got into the saddle under her mother's experienced guidance at just two years of age. She started competing at six and by high school was riding at national level, winning the CDI J-class at Willinga Park Dressage by the Sea CDI (Concours Dressage International). French also took second place on her second horse.
Jazi French the equestrienne.
Jazi French the equestrienne.
Dressage has always been in the young rider’s blood. Her mother Nancy was a prolific rider, competing at international levels and representing Australia at the World Championships in 1998. Jazi’s riding abilities were recognised in 2022 when she was offered a training position at Aubenhausen, a prestigious dressage training facility in Germany, with two-time Olympic gold medallist Jessica von Bredow-Werndl.
“They are the top-ranked riders in the world and to be able to train in their facilities and the one-on-one lessons with Jessie was seriously amazing,” French said.
After losing her top dressage horse shortly after returning from Germany, Jazi began to turn her attention to another family tradition.
“I thought (motorsport) would be more of a temporary fix, but I didn’t realise I’d love it as much as I do. So I think we’ve sort of switched horsepower for a bit.”
French credits Bond University with helping her to study part-time while she competed last year.
“I remember at Adelaide this year I had an assignment due at 11pm the night before I was racing,” she says. “After dinner, I went up to my hotel room, clicked submit on the assignment and then went out for qualifying the next morning. So a bit close sometimes, but it's definitely worth it.”
About the writer
Medinah Wells is a Bond University journalism student with a drive for high-speed thrills. Growing up around her father’s rally team, motorsport is in her genes. During her Bachelor of Journalism Medinah has worked for the Queensland Rally Championship, interviewed drivers and collaborated with local motorsport clubs. Her dream is to combine her love of journalism and motorsport, bringing the excitement of racing to readers.
Published on 15 January, 2024
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