Sport: Circuit Racing | Activity: Driver
It’s a true love story … love of racing, love of man, then rediscovering the love of racing.
Mia’s dad would take her to the Kyalami (South Africa) race track until she was old enough and then they both started marshalling. Even from way back then, she had dreams of getting into sedan racing. But she found the love of her life, and he wasn’t into racing. So Mia put aside her dreams of being a racer and instead settled down to enjoy a wonderful life as a wife and mum. But deep down inside, Mia knew there was a race track calling her name, and so at the tender age of 42, with friends, hubby and even the kids thinking she’s gone a little nuts, she purchased an HQ and started racing at Wakefield Park (Australia) for the first time. Mia has now been seen at Queensland Raceway, Lake Side Raceway, Eastern Creek and Oran Park and hopes that one day she’ll be trying out the circuit at Winton or Bathurst.
“It’s MY time, and I wanna give this racing a go.”
Mia wasn’t surprised to discover that she absolutely loved everything about this sport. The speed, the adrenaline rush of racing side by side, heading into and out of corners, and just generally driving the car to its limits.
Although she started racing in HQ’s, and then stepped up to Saloon cars, Mia now races a friends Oz Truck (Chassis AU-308). They were imported from the USA as a standard 500HP running E85 with a 4-speed dog box. They can do 1:16’s around the National Circuit at Queensland Raceway, and while she has to get to know the vehicle a little better, Mia is currently getting around 235km top end speed. As it’s a left-hand drive with no door, it does come with its own unique issues, such as requiring that Mia climbs in and out through the window.
The average person probably thinks the ultimate high is when you win a race, but Mia says a pretty close second is when she climbed up to 5th from 18th, and then in the second race went from 8th to 5th. “It was the toughest 3 positions I ever had to work for.” But Mia is the first to tell us that it’s not always fun and games, and when accidents do happen it’s important to learn from the situation, such as tapping the brakes to make sure you actually have some, and not to hit the wall head on. [ed: OUCH Mia]
Circuit Racing is a very popular sport, with loads of categories to choose from, and heaps of different styles of racing to enjoy. Some grids can see up and above 18 cars in the more popular categories, meaning there’s up and above 18 teams all in the pits helping each other out. And sometimes some of that help is just what Mia really needs since she does most of it all by herself. Now there’s dedication for you. Mia gets the truck ready (tyres, oil, filters, brakes), loads it up, tows it to the track, unloads and then races. But when there’s a problem, you’ll find her or her hubby racing up and down pit lane looking for a mechanically minded person to help out, since both of them are limited in their skills and knowledge.
“So it is really tough but it does not stop us – we just get on with it and move forward but sometimes there is no one to help or they can’t help us, then we just put it on the trailer and come back home – weekend over. That is frustrating but that’s life.”
When asked what she would say to the next person wandering through the pits with a dream, Mia offers a few pieces of advice.
- Listen to what other people tell you and learn as much as you can before going out there to race.
- Find a race school or coach
- Read, listen and research everything racing. Speed Secrets is a good starting point.
- Tap the brakes before you have to rely on them, just to make sure you have some.
- and most of all …
Follow your dreams, don’t wait!
Considering he’s not really into racing, Mia would like to send an extra special thanks to her hubby – Pat Mare – who gives his all when he can for her racing. Also thanks to her mentor and rock Shane, who has been there through thick and thin, and to all her friends including but not limited to Adrian, George, Justin, Scott, Cameron, Shane for all their tireless help when needed.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RACE MECHANIC
WANTED: Mechanic helper person
REQUIREMENTS: must love circuit racing and be mechanically minded
LOCATION: Queensland
AVAILABILITY: race day is a minimum, but would love someone to join the team.
HOW TO APPLY: Email [design@girlstorque.com] your details GirlsTorque and we’ll forward them to Mia.
What’s your why? Whether you’re a racer, behind the camera, on the tools, or the loudest cheerleader, we want to hear your story! Share with us your passion and motivation to inspire others. Submit your story: https://bit.ly/4aYoxO4