Interview by Alyssa Cullinan
Drag-racing mum, timing-tower stalwart, and proud Aboriginal Community Education Officer – celebrating NAIDOC Week through horsepower and heart.
When Janelle Mannix stands in a drag-strip timing tower, headset on and eyes glued to the racers, she isn’t just recording reaction times – she’s witnessing family.
“That’s how I see every driver who blasts past the beams,” she laughs. “If you don’t know what I do… are we really friends?”
For more than thirty years the South Australian trackside fixture has logged thousandths of a second at events from Perth to Darwin, Portland to Mildura. Her journey began in 1994, when boredom with spectating at Adelaide International Raceway finally snapped.
“I used to watch from the sidelines until I could handle it no longer,” she admits. Soon she was juggling timing screens, bracket marshalling, ticket booths and – when short-staffed – head of staging. Along the way she mastered both Compulink and Portatree systems. “Best training? Get thrown in the deep end and swim.”
Motorsport as mother-tongue
Janelle’s partner Craig was already prepping tracks in the early ’90s under the mentorship of Steve Wilson. Their son, Cooper, was practically born under fluorescent lights and VP Race Fuel. “I ran timing while heavily pregnant,” Janelle recalls. When drag-racing brothers Stephen (RIP) and David Collis offered young Cooper a loan Junior Dragster, the answer was obvious.
Today Cooper campaigns a Junior Bike (#1321), and mum sprints from tower to start-line to give signals, snap photos, upload sponsor content – then bolts back upstairs before the next pairing stages. Cooper’s ADHD and high-functioning autism, Janelle says, make racing more than a sport:
“It’s his super-power. The track gives him focus, routine, confidence. Watching him take the Westernationals win – golden Christmas tree and top qualifier – is my proudest moment.”
Women’s business, timing business
Away from the strip, Janelle is an Aboriginal Community Education Officer in two primary schools, supporting Indigenous students Monday to Thursday. Fridays find her in the ANDRA head office assisting with licences and memberships.
That blend of sport and cultural mentoring is why the That blend of sport and cultural mentoring is why the 2025 NAIDOC theme – The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy – resonates personally. “NAIDOC Week reminds everyone to celebrate our history, culture and achievements,” she says. “I see schools embrace it, though the drag scene could do more. Still, I’ll notice the colour of your eyes before I notice the colour of your skin.”
Stories in the pits
Her favourite yarn involves a Centura burnout, a launch – and a seat that snapped mid-pass. “I stared at the roof all the way to the finish,” she grins. “Second run looked far better through the windscreen!”
The scariest moments? Any crash witnessed from the tower. “These racers are family. Your stomach drops until you know they’re okay.”
Lifting the next generation
Janelle’s mission now is to demystify drag-racing for newcomers, particularly young Indigenous women. “Give it a go,” she urges. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions – this community will swarm to help, like they did when Cooper’s dragster stalled during his licence passes. He had more crew than a Top Fuel team.”
She rattles off the supporters who keep #1321 rolling – Brian “Scruffy” Lake, the late Stephen Collis, David Collis, HB Racing, Revolution Racegear, and more – each name punctuated with gratitude.
Why she keeps the stopwatch ticking
Variety of machinery, lifelong friendships, and the thrill of precision keep Janelle hooked. Yet it’s the quiet moments – a young racer’s grin, a classroom success, a shared cuppa with timing-tower mates – that define her legacy.
“If I can teach one child, one volunteer, or one parent how this sport works, that’s a win,” she says. “And when Cooper suits-up, that’s the biggest win of all.”
Fast Facts
- First event: Adelaide International Raceway, 1994
- Favourite role: Timing-system operator (but she’s done nearly every job on-track)
- Best ride-along: Two-seater dragster passenger run – “unreal!”
- Most-used quote: “Just give it a go.”
- NAIDOC Week wish: More drag-racing teams sporting Indigenous designs – and more young women behind the beams.
As NAIDOC Week progresses, Janelle Mannix proves that culture, community, and quarter-mile passion can fit neatly into one timing-tower headset – and one proud mum’s heart.
Alyssa Cullinan is a digital marketing professional with a flair for creative writing and content creation. With her sharp eye for storytelling and a passion for elevating women’s voices, Alyssa brings fresh perspectives and engaging narratives to the Girls Torque community. Her contributions reflect both her professional expertise and her genuine enthusiasm for connecting people through thoughtful, impactful content.