• A look at Jorgina Wijewardana’s world of motorsports broadcasting

The world of motorsports is one defined by the roar of engines and the thrill of speed. But what else makes motorsports? The Sunday Morning Brunch chatted with motorsports enthusiast and podcaster Jorgina Wijewardana on just this – with her passion for motorsports and dedication to breaking gender stereotypes, Jorgina has carved a niche for herself in an industry traditionally perceived as male-dominated. 

Through her broadcasting company JW Networks, Jorgina hosts the podcast ‘Jorgy’s Stripping the Dipping’ – a labour of love that looks at the untold stories behind motorsports through engaging interviews with key figures in the global motorsports industry. 

Brunch’s chat with Jorgina looked at the wide world of motorsports, female representation across the board, and motorsports in Sri Lanka. 

Why motorsports? 

As a woman in motorsports, Jorgina confronts gender stereotypes and champions diversity in the industry. Her entry into motorsports was something of an inevitability. From a young age, Jorgina’s exposure to her father’s enthusiasm for petrolhead culture inculcated an inherent and unfailing fascination with the thrill of the track. 

“My dad is a petrolhead and so is my brother,” Jorgina reflected on how she first grew interested in motorsports, adding that growing up in an environment where motorsports was a way of life, she had just found herself drawn to it. “Even when I watched a race on TV or in person, I really loved it.”

At 18, Jorgina began her media career, undergoing training at a local TV channel, honing her skills as a media producer, programme producer, and host, paving the way for what would eventually become her current career in broadcasting. Despite working in media, her affinity for motorsports persisted, and after some years in media, she decided to bridge the two: “I loved being able to have the freedom to follow my passion. Why not combine what I love and what I’m good at?” 

But what is motorsports exactly? For Jorgina, the definition is broad. “For me, whatever involves motorised vehicles and competitive events can be considered as motorsports.” This expansive definition includes various forms of racing, rallying, and competitive events where vehicles engage in eloquent and competitive manoeuvres.

For Jorgina, the sheer breadth of the motorsports industry is often overlooked, something which she frequently addresses in her podcasts, which feature professionals working both directly and indirectly with motorsports, from factory engineers to marketing professionals. 

“Motorsports combines so many different industries into one,” Jorgina highlighted, adding that motorsports also drives many other industries indirectly: “From economic stimulation of other industries, from media to hospitality to technological innovation, motorsports catalyses growth and opportunity across diverse sectors and serves as a global platform uniting enthusiasts and professionals from around the world.” 

On-track or off-track? 

Motorsports is often seen as being limited to just being a racer, but part of why Jorgina loves motorsports so much is because it offers a diverse array of opportunities beyond the thrill of the racetrack itself. 

“It’s a global platform, a business, a way of travelling around the world and getting exposed to a new level of the world,” Jorgina shared of the vast career opportunities that surrounded motorsports. From racing itself to engineering to marketing and advertising to event management and beyond, motorsports provides a dynamic environment for almost any individual interested in the field, regardless of their specific skills and expertise. 

Among the various direct careers related to motorsports, Jorgina explained that engineering, as a cornerstone of innovation and development, would be one of the most easily recognisable because of the pivotal role engineers played in designing and optimising racing vehicles. However, beyond the traditional and the most visible careers related to motorsports, the opportunities are equally as impactful and fascinating – Jorgina’s own career as a motorsports content creator engaging audiences and showcasing the multifaceted nature of the sport illustrates this. 

This breadth of career options in motorsports is also why it is increasingly more important to nurture STEM education. In fact, Jorgina strongly advocates for motorsports to be made part of school curricula because of its diverse nature and its potential to inspire future generations of engineers, drivers, and enthusiasts, and build a more vibrant motorsports industry which, especially given Sri Lanka’s position globally, can serve to unlock an economic and industrial opportunity that could prove very lucrative. 

Being a motorsports broadcaster

Jorgina’s podcast – ‘Jorgy’s Stripping the Dipping’ – emerged from her deep-seated passion for motorsports and storytelling and from a gap she perceived in the industry. “I noticed there was no podcast that talks about every layer of the industry and revolves around motorsports,” she explained, highlighting the unique perspective she sought to bring to the forefront.

‘Jorgy’s Stripping the Dipping’ is a motorsports podcast which interviews people from all fields of motorsport, from racers to lawyers to media personalities to anyone and everyone involved in making the wheels of motorsport go round. 

“‘Jorgy’s Stripping the Dipping’ is about stripping out every layer visible to the naked eye when it comes to motorsports. To the best of my knowledge, it is a unique concept, because there is no other podcast of this nature. All the other podcasts I’ve seen focus on the technical side of a car or about famous people,” Jorgina said. “This is the first (again, to my knowledge) podcast that talks about every layer of the industry of motorsport, direct or indirect.” 

Launching a podcast presented myriad challenges, from content creation to scheduling interviews and mastering the technical aspects of production. However, Jorgina’s unwavering commitment and enthusiasm propelled her forward. “It involves conceptualising, engaging guests, sticking to a schedule, and continuously testing and exploring,” she reflected, highlighting the dedication required to maintain a successful podcast.

“I have two hosts from London who do the hosting part and sometimes we have guest hosts as well, depending on the guest we have,” Jorgina explained. “We’ve had people such as Italian-American racing driver Mario Andretti to former motorsport manager Jost Capito to GT champion Raffaele Marciello to motorsport YouTuber Matt Gallagher to many more big, prominent names. Now it’s almost the end of the second season and we are already planning Season 3, which is remarkable considering I’m a brown girl from an island, changing the global landscape of motorsport one episode at a time.” 

Beyond ‘Jorgy’s Stripping the Dipping,’ Jorgina has also just launched a new series, ‘Wheel Talk with Jorgy on YouTube’ – the first English-based automotive programme that covers anything and everything automotive related, from motorsport and car restoration to classics, road safety, manufacturing, and more.

Motorsports in the Sri Lankan context

Sri Lankan motorsports, at present, is still in its first stages, and so, Jorgina said, was full of opportunities waiting to be seized. With her unwavering passion, she envisions a future where Sri Lanka can become a dynamic player in the global motorsports arena.

Reflecting on the current state of motorsports in Sri Lanka, while acknowledging existing limitations, Jorgina stressed on Lanka’s potential. “We have an amazingly beautiful country where we can have rally tracks everywhere,” she enthused, highlighting Sri Lanka’s natural allure as an ideal setting for motorsports events. She sees motorsports as a catalyst for economic growth, tourism promotion, and national pride. “Having a race can do that; we need to reap those results,” she emphasised, highlighting the transformative impact that motorsports could have on Sri Lanka’s economy and global reputation.

For Jorgina, the key to developing motorsports lies in accessibility and education. She emphasised on the need to integrate motorsports into the national curriculum, promoting awareness and nurturing talent from a young age. “We need to include it as an option for students so they can consider it, grow with it here just like cricket,” she advocated, underlining the importance of exposing the youth to the possibilities within motorsports.

From an infrastructure perspective, Jorgina shared that linking with global motorsports bodies was key to developing the industry. For example, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is the governing body of motorsport and promotes safe, sustainable, and accessible mobility for all road users across the world. “Do we have FIA standard tracks here? No, but we can,” she asserted, pointing to Sri Lanka’s untapped potential for growth and development in the motorsports sector.

Motorsports is for everyone

A crucial part of accessibility is inclusivity and for this to take place, there needs to be female representation – something Jorgina is driving with her initiative ‘Girls on Wheels,’ a transformative endeavour aimed at breaking barriers and empowering women in the male-dominated realm of motorsports. 

Born from Jorgina’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity and equality, this groundbreaking initiative seeks to inspire and cultivate the next generation of female racers and industry leaders in Sri Lanka. At its core, ‘Girls on Wheels’ is a multifaceted awareness project designed to introduce young girls to the world of motorsports and dismantle gender stereotypes surrounding the sport. Jorgina’s vision extends beyond mere participation; she envisions a future where women occupy prominent roles in every aspect of the motorsports industry.

Reflecting on the genesis of ‘Girls on Wheels,’ Jorgina shared: “I realised there was a lack of representation and opportunities for women in motorsports. ‘Girls on Wheels’ was born out of a desire to change that narrative and create a more inclusive environment for aspiring female racers.”

The initiative encompasses a wide array of activities, including workshops, training sessions, and mentorship programmes, all aimed at providing girls with the tools and knowledge they need to pursue their passion for motorsports. From flag marshals to racers, ‘Girls on Wheels’ aims to equip participants with the skills and confidence to thrive in any role they choose. 

Central to the initiative is its emphasis on accessibility and inclusion. Jorgina has worked tirelessly to ensure that ‘Girls on Wheels’ reaches girls from all walks of life, regardless of socioeconomic background or prior experience. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, she has created opportunities for girls to explore their potential in a supportive and nurturing environment while paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive future in Sri Lanka’s motorsports community.

As with all industries, the path for this is multifaceted and skill and passion will always play a part in driving a new industry, but so too will storytelling and advocacy. The world of motorsports is vast and dynamic. In her work as a broadcaster, content creator, and inclusivity incubator, Jorgina’s role within Lankan motorsports puts her in a unique position to be able to not just take Lankan motorsports to the world but to bring the world to Sri Lanka. 

Info box

For more on ‘Jorgy’s Stripping the Dipping,’ check them out on YouTube and all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple, Google, and Podbean.