Profile: Dani Richardson

Sport:        Hillclimb, Drag Racing | Activity:    Driver, Beat the Heat Victora Team Secretary

Not content to just take photos of the team cars, Dani started to get more and more involved in the actual history and stories behind each of the Beat the Heat race vehicles until she finally decided it was time to get behind the wheel and have a drive herself. To help her along with her dream, Beat the Heat WA made an offer that Dani and her bestie Rachel – nicknamed Thelma & Louise – couldn’t refuse. “Why don’t you come over to WA for the Western Nationals and learn how to drag race our cars at the Perth Motorplex?” Dani and Rachel were on the next flight out of Victora.

After learning some great new skills, and adding to her already supportive race family, Dani came back to Victora to race in a car with just as much character as she has herself.
“Smokey Two is an interesting car, as it was the test mule for Ford before it was donated to our program, and it sat in storage for a long time until Ararat Tyre and Auto and Ararat Repco assisted us in getting it racing again,” Dani informs us. While she hasn’t yet tested the top speed out on the BA XR8 sedan,  Dani has been attending hillclimbs and motorkhana events at least once a month throughout Western Victora.

Most people could have a go at a motorkhana, but Hillclimbs are a lot of fun requiring good focus. These events run in both summer and winter, with the different surfaces causing interesting challenges. (Watch out for the black ice in winter.) Dani recollects an interesting hillclimb moment when she experienced a serious brake issue, but loves the fact that the community and team support allowed her to learn how to rectify the problem.

“I am fairly certain that most of my workmates think that I am a little bit strange! My friends and family are all very supportive and I am part of a very supportive and positive team with Beat The Heat Victoria.”

While she’s still only new to the sport, Dani already has big aspirations for improving her skills enough to drive the other cars in the Beat the Heat Victora team, as well as looking forward to seeing the team as a whole compete at some big venues. This is truly a team affair, with everyone helping out, including getting the local youth getting involved to help prepare the cars.

But even in the best of teams, things can go awry, like when Dani was trying to look professional and dignified for the media after she had dropped sauce down the front of her shirt. That’s ok Dani, no-one will see those sauce stains when you’re screaming up those Victorian hills.

The whole Beat the Heat Victoria team would not be able to run this community initiative without the awesome support of the businesses and community around them, along with the tireless support of the Beat the Heat members and their families.

Thanks to: Tyrepower, Sheen Group, Repco Ararat, Harris Automotive, Ararat Tyre and Auto, Ballarat Autoparts/Revolution Racegear, Herrods, CAPA, Horsepower Factory, Reliance Insurance, Vinyl Wraps & Graphics, DTM Transmissions, Australian Auto Wreckers, Embroidability Ararat.

Keep up with the whole team at: https://www.facebook.com/Beat-the-Heat-Victoria-597613530330309/