Amanda Shepherd is the only current female Top Fuel competitor in Australia and
the youngest ever Top Fuel licence holder while in Top Doorslammer Kath Stevens
set a new world record in February as the first female to run a five second pass
(5.96s) in a ‘doored car’.
Both will compete at the Castrol EDGE
Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway on June 5-8 as their respective categories
draw to a close for the 2007/2008 ANDRA Championship Drag Racing Season.
For Shepherd, Force’s win is especially close to home, with the 19 year
old from Sydney following her dad into the sport and hoping to one day race
against him and win.
“I am so happy for Ashley, it is just amazing what
she has done,” said Shepherd.
“When I first heard she was going to begin
competing up against her dad, they began to represent Dad (Bob ‘Quarter-mile
Smile’ Shepherd) and I for me, as that is our dream.
“That is why we are
trying so hard to get some sponsorship together so I can run my own car, as Dad
wants his back next season and it is the aim to have both of us on the track.”
Before Shepherd heads to Willowbank, she will race to Sydney this
weekend for the penultimate round of the Top Fuel Championship at her local
Western Sydney International Dragway, where she has a particular goal in mind,
her enthusiasm for which has now been given an extra boost.
“Ashley’s
win will definitely act as motivation for me to reach my own goals – I want to
be the fastest woman in Australia and to do that I need to run 300mph - my
closest is 296mph, which I ran in February in Sydney along with my first four
second pass of 4.96s," said Shepherd.
“It is a pretty big dream I know
but you have got to have a goal and you have to have a dream and hearing about
Ashley just shows that anything is possible.”
Also running the big
numbers in February was Brisbane’s Kath Stevens, who became the first female
ever to run a five second pass (5.96s) in the world in a Top Doorslammer, and
who like Ashley, knows what it is like to run in the company of a drag racing
legend as the wife of none-other than Brett Stevens.
"I'm sure it has
been a lifetime ambition of Ashley's to beat her dad on the track, after years
of hard work supporting his racing it was definitely a deserving win for her and
her team for which they should be congratulated,” said Stevens.
"Everyone always thinks it is easy having the expertise and experience
of someone like John Force or Brett (Stevens) at your fingertips, but it can
also be a lot harder in a sense to follow in the shadow of another professional
and successful racer.
"When it comes to goals heading into the final
round of this years Top Doorslammer championship, I have begun personally
reassessing my objectives in Drag Racing since becoming the first female in the
world to run a 5 second Doorslammer pass in Sydney - but you can be sure that it
will be on track."
"To join Ashley and my fellow female professional
racers in the winners circle is definitely a goal and I feel it is within reach
in the not to distant future."
The Castrol EDGE Winternationals will see
the final rounds of all of the Group One categories, including Top Fuel, Top
Alcohol, Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle and Top Bike, along
with a bumper support program of Group Two and Three competition including
everything from Super Gas to Supercharged Outlaws to Junior Dragster to Street
Sedans.
With championships in many of the categories set to be decided
at the Queensland hit-out, emotions are set to run high with thrilling passes
guaranteed for spectators.
CASTROL EDGE WINTERNATIONALS – JUNE 5-8,
2008
Racing Includes: Jack Daniels Top Doorslammer, Travelaire Tours
Pro Stock, Morgan & Wacker Top Bike, Morgan & Wacker Pro Stock
Motorcycle, Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyl Competition, Lifestyle Carpets &
Vinyl Super Stock, S&S Competition Bike, Carpenter Ford Supercharged
Outlaws, Bailey's Brake & Clutch Modified, Slick Industries Super Sedan,
Crossroads Freightlines & Car Carrying Super Street, American Rides Modified
Bike, Queensland Diesel Spares Junior Dragster, High Impact Promotions Super
Gas, Perfect Print Perfect Light
Schedule
Thursday
Gates Open at 9am
Qualifying from 1.30pm - Group 2, 3 & 4;
Friday
Gates Open at 6am;
Qualifying from 8am - Group 2,
3, & 4;
Feature Qualifying from 5pm - Group One
Saturday
Gates Open at 6am;
Qualifying and Racing from 8am - Group 2, 3 & 4;
Feature Qualifying from 11.30am - Group One
Sunday
Gates
Open at 6am;
Racing from 8am - Group 2, 3 & 4;
Opening Ceremonies
11.30am
Feature Racing from 12noon - Group One
Seating and
Admission Prices
General Admission (includes Pit Access)
Adults
Thursday - $20
Friday - $42
Saturday - $48
Sunday - $48
Three Day Pass - $130
Students with ID
Thursday - $20
Friday - $32
Saturday - $38
! Sunday - $38
Three Day Pass - $100
Children 13 and Under are FREE but need to
pay for reserved seating if required
Reserved Seating Prices
- Travelaire Tours Startline Club - $28 per seat, covers Saturday and Sunday
- Reserved Grandstand Seating - $20 per seat, covers Saturday and Sunday
- Seat reserved for 2 days only (Saturday & Sunday). Seating price
covers both days.
- Admission passes are required to access reserved seating
and can be purchased separately or with seating
- Children admitted Free to
the paddock but need to pay for reserved seating
- All mail within Australia
will be posted by registered mail. Postage fee is $3
- Ticket booking Terms
& Conditions can be found by visiting
http://www.willowbank-raceway.com.au/policy%20document%20tickets.htm
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Pint sized Top Fuel drag racer Amanda
Shepherd.
Stevens waves to the crowd following
her record breaking pass
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