Racing Towards the Future
For as long as she can remember, Alyssa “Lyssa” Halliday has lived and breathed speedway. She was just seven weeks old when she first attended a meet — bundled in the stands while her dad, a lifelong racer, took to the track. With both parents deeply involved in the sport as drivers, sponsors, committee members, and volunteers, it was only a matter of time before Alyssa found herself behind the wheel.
Nearly five years on from her first laps in Junior New Stars, Alyssa has carved out her place as a Junior Top Star driver. Her car, a pink and black Mitsubishi Mirage built by Ivix Industries with a Bowman-built motor, has become a familiar sight across Western Australia’s dirt ovals. Topping speeds of over 83 km/h, it’s not just the look of her car that stands out — it’s the way she drives it.
“I love being on the racetrack and driving fast,” Alyssa says. “Every meet is a chance to beat my personal best. I want to be an advocate for women in speedway and a role model for the next generation.”
That drive has taken her far. Alyssa has already logged 16 meets across WA this season. She also travelled interstate to Darwin, racing in support of the 2024 Chariots of Thunder. With December 2025 marking her final season in Juniors, Alyssa is already looking ahead to what comes next…
Her track record speaks volumes. Highlights include winning 4/4 races at Broome Speedway, her home track, and repeating the feat at Manjimup on her first visit. Alongside multiple Best Presented awards and a Most Improved Junior title, Alyssa has built a wall of sashes and a reputation for consistency — her name has become a regular feature on the podium this season.
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing. One of her scariest moments came a few years ago when her car caught fire after an incident that saw her hit the wall on the last lap of a race. Rather than rattling her, it only fuelled her resilience. “Racing is hard work,” she explains. “People think it’s just driving in circles, but every race is different. You need fitness, dedication, and the ability to push through even when you’re sick or tired. But once the racing bug bites you, you’ve got it for life.”
Supported by her family, peers, and a loyal fan base — from classmates and friends, to her boss, who brings her daughters to watch, and followers of her Red Earth Racing Facebook page across Australia and the USA — Alyssa is building more than results. She’s building a legacy.
One girl. One dream. Racing her way to the top. Countless kilometres travelled, hundreds of laps driven across more than a dozen tracks, all while earning the respect of her fellow competitors.
Behind her are the sponsors who make it possible: Roadline Civil Contractors, GN Mechanical & Automotive, Oasis Eatery, Broome Progressive Supplies, MG Tyres Bridgestone Broome, Torque Wear Australia, BK Signs & Print, Ivix Industries, Built by Bowman, Allstar Performance, the McLaughlin Family, and Jaz & Max. At the heart of it all are her family, the driving force behind her racing and her biggest supporters.
When asked what advice she’d give to young racers starting out, Alyssa doesn’t hesitate:
“Always believe in yourself. It won’t always be easy — racing and life can be tough. But every challenge is a chance to learn and grow. It’s taken me a long time to get to where I am now, and every lesson has been worth it.”
As Alyssa enters her final months in Juniors, she’s not just racing for wins — she’s racing for growth, for the memories, and for the future she’s steadily building, lap after lap. Alyssa’s 5-year racing journey has been nothing short of amazing – filled with invaluable experiences, amazing memories, and friendships that will last a lifetime.
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