Lightning at the line
“Nothing compares to the adrenaline of Motorsport. Once the helmet is on, it’s like nothing else exists.” – Alicia Naylor
Western Australian Alicia Naylor is a highly decorated racer within the drag racing scene. Currently piloting an eye watering 632ci Big Block Chevy Spitzer Dragster in the very popular Modified Dragster class at Perth Motorplex, her impeccable reaction time has set the bar extremely high against her fellow racers.
(Alicia sitting in her Spitzer Dragster. Photo: Alicia Naylor)
Alicia shares that she was “born with a passion for Motorsport”, as her Father had been racing long before Alicia was born. This inevitably sparked Alicia’s interest to become involved within the sport herself, where she began her own racing career within the Junior Dragster category at the age of twelve. Throughout her time as a junior, Alicia racked up an outstanding number of accolades and titles. Some of her achievements include:
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2010 Winter Nationals Junior Dragster Champion in 89 car field. Alicia was the First and only WA female to win at this event. 5th female in any category to win the event (now one of only 10)
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2010 + 2011 Divisional Champion Junior Dragster
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2010/2011 WA top Female Point Scorer
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Ford VS Holden Runner up – Streetcar
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Multiple Junior Dragster and Super Street Event Winner and Runner up
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2010/2011 Best of the Best – reaction time and dial in package
Alicia says that her best motoring memory so far is “winning the Louis Rapisarda Memorial trophy at the 2010 Winter Nationals and getting to race with my family.” Her scariest memories “all come from watching my partner race his 410 Sprintcar with up to 27 other cars on track at the same time.”
(Alicia at the end of a run at Perth Motorplex. Photo: Always An Adventure Photography)
Something very special to note about Alicia is that she is one of the very few drivers that does not use a device called a delay box, used to assist drag racers predict the exact timing the Christmas tree lights will go out.
“My vehicle is the only one in the class that does not, and my reaction times are purely my own capabilities.”
Alicia walks us through the typical process of her races:
“I start my run with a long and smokey burnout (which I believe is one of the harder parts of the run trying to get the perfect RPM without over or under revving the engine). Once this is completed, I am guided back to the start line where I will then move into the starting beams.
After launching off the start line, I shift into top gear (I drive a 2-speed vehicle) at about 300 ft and a few short seconds later pull the parachutes as I pass the finish line to pull up my dragster after reaching top speeds of around 280kph.”
(Alicia doing a smokey burnout, getting ready for her run. Photo: High Octane Photos)
Alicia’s best elapsed time in her Spitzer Dragster is 7.60 secs at 282.5kph. This time has qualified her within the top 3 competitors of her category.
Outside of her own racing Alicia is busy with crew and media duties, and attends race meets nearly every weekend between October and April.
“I crew for my partner’s Sprint car team (Dack Attack Motorsports), my brother’s drag racing team (also Naylor Racing along with Alicia), Top-Fuel Motorcycle teams Fuelled Motorsport as well as Attitude Racing (that also race junior drag bikes). I do a bit of everything for my partner’s team and I pack my brother’s parachutes and reverse gear when required, I mostly do social media for all three teams.”
Alicia shares some beautiful words of advice for people wanting to follow in her footsteps.
Lean on your team, your family, and those who believe in you. Their support will carry you through. Stay passionate, enjoy every moment, and the win lights will come.”
Naylor Racing plan on taking Alicia’s newly modified Dragster back over east to compete once the upgrades have been completed. Alicia aims to one day race in the Top Fuel category, as well as race in America.
Alicia would like to thank the following people for helping her on racing journey:
“My parents for always supporting me and getting me involved. My Brothers Rhys, Brayden and Michael and Sister Brittany. My partner Jay-Dee. Caitlin, Gill, Huddy and Spence. The Junior Dragster and Junior Bike kids that get behind my racing.
Dananni Hotshots, without Danni and her team I would not be where I am today! They have supported me from the very beginning and through all the tough times, as well as WA Suspension, Stewart’s Pest Control, Dave’s Automotives and Phil Gardiner Engineering.”
(Photo: On The Limit Photography)
You can catch all of Alicia and her family’s racing action on the following platforms:
Facebook: Naylor Racing
Instagram: naylorracing
Youtube: Naylor Racing https://www.youtube.com/@NaylorRacing
Podcast: The Naylor Racing Podcast
Maddi Gurmesevic is an aspiring writer and journalist within the automotive and Motorsport world. She has a large passion for the sport itself, as well as sharing the incredible stories of people across different facets of the industry. Maddi is also a driver herself, competing in Karting since an early teen, along with volunteer work with Motorsport Australia.