Eighteen-year-old Caitlin Wood will become the first female to race in the CAMS Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship when she takes to the wheel this weekend at Sandown.

The Australian Formula Ford Series regular steps into the F4 class thanks to backing from several Jayco dealers in Victoria.

Wood has spent the last two seasons in national Formula Ford, sitting eighth in this year’s standings before missing the most recent round.

“It feels quite good and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to race,” Wood said of Formula 4.

“It’s not going to be easy – it’s going to be quite hard but I am really excited about racing.

“I’ve raced against a few of the guys, Will Brown, Luis Leeds, Thomas Randle and Jordan Lloyd in Formula Ford so it should be a great experience.”

Wood has previous experience at Sandown, scoring a season best Formula Ford race result of sixth at the Melbourne venue earlier this year.

“It’s a relief to debut at a circuit that I already know, I really enjoy Sandown as it’s fast and a real drivers’ track,” she added. “It’s going to be good fun racing with the boys.”

F4 category manager Cameron McConville has tipped Wood to surprise.

“Caitlin has been driving very well in National Formula Ford, so we are delighted she has joined the series,” McConville said.

“Whilst she’s been working on a Formula 4 program for 2016, it has been a great initiative by the Jayco Dealers to help her get on the grid sooner.

“The car will look stunning and while there is no pressure, I reckon she will surprise a few.”