AWMN in Profile: Bailey Hawke

Born to Run the Quarter Mile

Some people stumble into their passion. Others? They launch off the start line with it in their DNA. For Bailey Hawke, drag racing didn’t slowly creep into her life—it hit full throttle the moment she heard the roar of engines at the Bend Dragway’s opening in 2023. That spark of adrenaline, that unmistakable feeling in her gut—Bailey knew instantly: this was it.

By March 2024, Bailey had already gone from wide-eyed spectator to licensed Junior Dragster driver. No time wasted. Just pure determination, a supportive family, and a dream in the making.

Now racing in A/Junior Dragster—a fiercely competitive class where precision is everything—Bailey pilots a 2025 Mike Bos Jr Dragster capable of screaming down the 1/8th mile at 83mph. Imported from the United States in January, the car is as sharp and focused as its driver. Together, they make one hell of a pair.

But drag racing isn’t just a solo pursuit for Bailey. It’s a full family affair. Hawke Family Racing is more than just a name on the pit board. It’s mum and dad wrenching, planning, travelling, and cheering from the stands. It’s the kind of grassroots dedication that fuels champions. And in Bailey’s case, it’s working.

In her very first full season, Bailey didn’t just show up—she made serious noise:

2024/2025 ANDRA Sportsman Champion

2024/2025 NDRC Championship Runner-Up

South Coast Nationals Winner

Seven-time National Finalist

Not bad for someone who only started racing juniors in 2024.

What’s even more impressive? Bailey’s level-headed approach. There’s no chest-beating or fast-talking. Just a calm focus and infectious love for the sport. Ask her what the future holds and you won’t get a corporate blueprint or a media-polished soundbite. You’ll hear the honest truth: “I’m just enjoying racing juniors at the moment. I plan to step up to Modified when I’m 16—and from there, well, let’s just wait and see.”

For now, it’s all about the ride. The early mornings, the long road trips chasing championships, the pit banter, and the quiet thrill of lining up at the tree, helmet on, heart steady.

Racing might look like it’s all about speed—but behind Bailey’s success is an unshakeable foundation: friendship, family, and focus. Her school is behind her, her mates are in the crowd, and her role models are on the track beside her. It’s not just about being fast. It’s about being grounded.

Drag racing, after all, isn’t just push and go. It’s a science. Reaction time, elapsed time, weather conditions—temperature, humidity, air density, and even altitude—all get factored in every race day. Every track is a new puzzle. Bailey’s already learned to read the clues.

Ask her what it’s all for and the answer is simple: joy. Pure, unfiltered joy. “Drag racing is my happy place,” she says. And with a level of gratitude that’s rare in any industry, she adds, “My mum and dad have given their all so I can race. I’m so grateful for them believing in me and being my No.1 supporters. Without them, I couldn’t do what I love.”

Alongside family support, Bailey’s journey has been backed by a crew of loyal sponsors: Robust Worx, Moonta Bay Holiday Park, Auto Pro Kadina, First National Copper Coast, Promnitz Engineering, SCG Racing Parts, and Country Living Homes. Each one has helped keep the tyres warm and the dream alive.

As for advice to other young hopefuls eyeing the start line? Bailey keeps it real: “You can only do what you can do. Enjoy the moments.”

And maybe that’s the best advice anyone could give—whether you’re chasing your first light or your fiftieth win.