Tabitha Ambrose on Family Legacy, Formula Ford, and Racing Her Own Path

Recently we got to sit down and talk with Tabitha Ambrose, a 19 Year old driver from Australia. Now as you may know the motorsports world has always walked a fine line between heritage and individuality between honoring those who came before and defining one’s own future. For Tabitha Ambrose, that line isn't theoretical. It’s a lived reality. The daughter of Marcos Ambrose, a two-time V8 Supercars champion and the first Aussie to win a NASCAR race in the modern era, Tabitha grew up on both sides of the Pacific, surrounded by the smell of burning rubber, the roar of engines, and the complexities of balancing racing and life.

But to understand Tabitha, you have to set aside the last name for a moment. She’s not interested in merely continuing the already written legacy. She’s determined to build something of her own, a new chapter in a family book already thick with racing lore. In a recent conversation conducted by Cassandra, we were given a front-row seat into that process: the ups, the struggles, the little joys, and the massive ambition that drives Tabitha forward.

From the beginning, she’s been around racing. “I was born in 2005, and within two months, we moved to America for Dad’s NASCAR career,” she recalled. “So, from the time I could form memories, the track was just part of life. That’s where weekends happened. That’s where family time happened. It didn’t feel like a job or a spectacle it just felt normal.”

Tabitha spent nine years in the U.S., soaking in the NASCAR atmosphere in its prime. She remembers playgrounds tucked into the infield of sprawling ovals, days spent in the Motor Racing Outreach (MRO) daycare program, and nights watching her dad prep for battle on circuits from Talladega to Sonoma. “Some of my earliest and clearest memories are from MRO,” she said with a smile. “It was more than a babysitting service. It was a whole world  our world. All the drivers’ kids were there. It had toys, playgrounds, crafts. That was our paddock.”

She also remembers the celebrities. “Meeting Richard Petty was definitely a highlight. He’s just so cool. And the hat is iconic,” she said. “But honestly, it was the little stuff sitting in the car, playing with tools in the garage, getting picked up by dad after the race that made it so special.”

Now, Tabitha’s the one in the cockpit. She’s racing in Australia’s Formula Ford Super Series, a raw and technical open-wheel category that’s forged the careers of some of the country’s greatest drivers. “They’re brutal,” she admits. “There’s no power steering, no downforce, no frills. Just you, the car, and the road. But that’s what makes them so rewarding. Every corner teaches you something.”

Her 2025 campaign has been a steep learning curve, but exhilarating. “It’s been a challenge, but I feel like I’m progressing every weekend,” she explained. “I can feel myself getting better. I watch the onboard, and I’m like, ‘Hey, that’s not too bad!’ But really, I’m just having a blast. I love this stuff.”

That love comes with deep roots. “Dad’s been through it all, so he gets it. He’s so supportive, never pushes, never pressures. He always says, ‘If you’re not enjoying it, let’s stop. It’s not worth doing if it’s not fun.’ But I do love it. I’ve got the bug. I don’t want to stop.”

There’s also continuity in her racing journey, particularly through her partnership with Pirtek. “They’ve been with us forever, they sponsored Dad in the Supercars era, and now I get to represent them too. We’re running the Pirtek No. 45 to mark their 45th anniversary, which is so special,” she said. “They’re a generational business, and so are we. Some of the store owners’ kids are taking over now, just like I’m taking the reins from Dad. It’s all connected.”

Despite her pedigree, Tabitha insists that the support she’s received has never felt conditional or performance-based. “Even from fans or people in the paddock it’s always been positive,” she said. “I think people understand that I’m learning. I’m trying to build something. And they’re on board with that. There’s not this constant comparison to Dad that you might expect.”

When Cassandra asked about the differences between Australian and American racing culture, Tabitha offered an insightful breakdown. “America is just so driven. It’s like, ‘Let’s race. Let’s win.’ There’s this relentless push. Australia’s similar, but we’ve got more European influence — especially now with the F4 Australia series and stuff. It’s a bit more methodical. I’ve been lucky to experience both. And I think it gives me an edge.”

While talking to Tabitha about her time in the U.S Cassandra referenced a very funny moment of Marcos Ambrose's career when he got the NASCAR broadcast team to try vegemite sandwiches. When asked if she has the same taste for Vegemite Tabitha laughed as she said “..I LOVE Vegemite, You’re not Australian if you don't like Vegemite”. 

She also has plans that stretch well beyond Formula Ford. “I’m looking at dirt racing this summer,” she said. “I want to try the Little 600 or maybe the 500 cars. Just get sideways a bit. But long-term, I’ve got my eyes on Trans Am. I think it’s the perfect bridge to the U.S. If I can make it work, and I’m good enough, I want to end up there. Maybe even run some ovals. That’s the dream.”

When talking about her time in Formula Ford Tabitha lit up when talking about the cars and what it takes to handle them. She really likes how they are lightweight and are low on grip so it provides some great racing and allows drivers to try different racing lines to battle and pass others. And the extra challenge of no power steering makes it even more fun. Maybe some Indycar or High Limits dirt racing is in her future.

Her ambition is steady and focused, but there’s no bravado, just determination. And part of that drive comes from knowing she represents something larger than herself. As a young woman in motorsport, Tabitha knows she’s part of a growing movement, one that’s opening doors and shattering assumptions across the industry.

“It’s so exciting,” she said. “When I raced karts in Tasmania, I was the only girl in my class. But now? We’ve got races like the Pink Plate all-girl karting events where you race your mates and just have fun. It’s all about building community. And it’s working.”

She’s quick to credit the people around her. “The support in Australia has been amazing. I’ve never really had anyone say, ‘You shouldn’t be here.’ Everyone’s been great. And we’ve got so many women now in engineering, officiating, mechanics. It’s not just drivers. It’s everywhere.”

Still, she doesn’t let that identity overshadow her goals. “When I put the helmet on, I’m a racer. That’s it. I don’t want to be ‘the girl racer.’ I want to be fast. I want to improve. I see someone set a quick lap, I want to beat it. That’s how I think. And the track doesn’t care who you are it just cares how you drive.”

We also asked her what her view is when it comes to advancing women who are on the driver path. Is it better to have a scholarship system that will fund a driver in any series she wished to participate in or an all women championship like F1 Academy. In her response she said “I find it hard having a women’s only championship. Because I think for racing you just want to race against the best..” Which seems to be the sentiment. She didn't discount the work F1 Academy has done, but just thinks it would be better to integrate rather than segregate racing series.

We were also able to add in some fan questions. One fan asked “Can you describe Formula Ford in 3 words?” Ambrose responded with “Open,Tough,Challenging” which shows the grit Australian racers have like her father Marcos, Will Power, and others have shown. Another fan asked “ What is the most challenging thing when competing in motorsport?” Tabitha reflected on the post race blues after having a tough race or session where you know you could have done something different. But the easiest part in her opinion would be the hard work she puts in. And yes we asked the most important question of all. Who’s her favorite character from Cars. Between Mater and Lighting McQueen, Tabitha selected the legendary Light McQueen.

As the conversation wound down, it was clear that Tabitha Ambrose is building something not just a career, but a narrative that’s entirely her own. It’s one of joy, effort, evolution, and purpose. And it’s still just getting started.

“I don’t know exactly where I’ll end up,” she said. “But I’m gonna give it everything. One corner, one race, one season at a time.”

Whether she ends up in a Trans Am paddock, dirt track oval, or top-tier formula series, one thing’s for sure: she’s not following anyone’s path. She’s carving her own.

And that might just be the most Ambrose thing of all.