Sport: Drag Racing | Activity: Driver
Some might say that Stephanie was born into racing, since her dad started racing his Torana from an early age, and she has been by his side in the pits for as long as she can remember. But when she turned 18 and her dad said “how about you having a drive”, he didn’t mean taking over in HIS Torana.
While Stephanie harbors a dream to travel around Australia driving a doorslammer or top alcohol altered, she currently gets her drag racing adrenaline rush in a Bantam Altered sporting a 406ci mechanical injected Chev at about 8.42secs (155.3mph) in Modified Eliminator, at every Sydney event she can attend.
Drag racing can be very simply summed up by saying it essentially involves two cars attempting to get to the finish line first with the best “package” of reaction time and elapsed time.
“Just concentrate and don’t take your eye off your lights”
Unless your car decides to pull an awe-inspiring wheelstand off the start line. Steph might laugh about the situation now, but at the time the brand new engine was a little more powerful than anyone expected and almost sent her into the wall. Thankfully Stephs experience allowed her to pull the bantam out of what could have been a very nasty situation and continue racing.
But it’s not all about making it into the finals or winning the Bodangora track record – that had been held for 10 years by Luke Shepherd – sometimes there are silly moments that make you wonder if you should laugh or simply hide behind your visor.
At the Nationals in 2012, Stephs MSD failed just after her launch, causing the car to stall mid-track. Unsure if she was allowed to get out of the car or even if she should help to push it off track Steph tried to avoid being recognised by keeping her face hidden under the helmet. “I was so embarrassed,” she told us.
The Fuelin’ Around Racing team is truly a family affair, with Stephs mum, dad, and brother TJ helping out at the track and showing full support and encouragement. Also helping Steph achieve her dreams and keep the bantom altered on the track are Great Western Auto Wreckers Orange, Canobolas Auto One Orange, PowerPlus Racing Fuels Central West
Keep up with the whole team at: https://www.facebook.com/FuelinAroundRacing/
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