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World record set by Willowbank regular in Sydney |
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Saturday, 16 February 2008 |
Willowbank Raceway’s female Drag Racing star Kath Stevens celebrated her 31st
birthday in fine style by setting a World Record at the Western Sydney
International Dragway last night.
Brisbane-based Stevens is the only
female in Australia that competes against the men in the professional Top
Doorslammer bracket, and took it another step further by becoming the first
female in history anywhere in the world to drive a ‘doored’ car down the
quarter-mile strip in less than six seconds.
Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve Bettes said he was estatic to see one
of Willowbank’s own turn in such a spectacular result.
“Kath’s result
last night was a proud one for everyone involved with Willowbank Raceway, with
the Stevens’ family a regular fixture at our facility,” said Bettes.
“It
really is just another great example of the amazing talent being fostered at
Willowbank Raceway, the Stevens’ local track, and I am so proud to be able to
claim her and her family as Willowbank regulars.”
Lining up against team
mate Steve Packman in his SP Racing Ford Falcon in the B quarter-finals, the
pint-sized speedster surprised all by laying down an amazing 5.96 second pass to
take the round win in her 3000 horsepower beast.
“This is amazing! We
have been working and developing our Brett Stevens Racing built Ford Falcon Top
Doorslammers now for around 18 months and it has all finally paid off,” enthused
Stevens.
“This is the ultimate birthday present as well; we will be
celebrating hard tonight!
“I would like to thank my husband Brett for
giving me this chance, my friends and family, and to all of my sponsors that
have supported and shown faith in me over the years.
“There were a lot
of them here tonight as well so it was great to be able to put on a show like
this for them.”
As well as Kath setting the stunning World Record, she
also had the honour of beating her Drag Racing legend husband and team owner
Brett Stevens to the magical ‘5 second club’.
However, Brett was equally
excited about Kath’s achievement that even overshadowed his own sensational
record setting weekend that included running the fastest Top Alcohol Funny Pass
in the Southern Hemisphere at 263.15 mph (423.50 kph), as well as the second
quickest Elapsed Time at 5.55 seconds.
“I couldn’t be happier for Kath,
as hard as it may be to believe I think it is even better her running a 5 than
me,” the Australian Drag Racing legend said.
“She is really something
else to achieve such a feat, she is just amazing.
“It has topped off a
fantastic weekend for the team and I would also like to pay a special mention to
my fantastic crew for their efforts in helping make all this possible, we
couldn’t have done it without you!
The result comes at a nice time for
the Stevens’ family, who are ramping up towards the Tin Top Titles at their home
track, Willowbank Raceway, in April, which will see the return of the most
incredible all-sedan confrontations as Top Doorslammer and Pro Stock categories
headline this time honoured tradition of Queensland drag racing.
In
essence the format of the Tin Top Titles will see the realisation of drag racing
activities inclusive of Group One sedans plus the vastly popular Fast Fours
Jamboree and Powercruise scenes which have continually attracted massive
interest among drag racing fans.
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