Dalpark Extension Five resident Elise Havenga has been showing the gentlemen how it’s done in the male dominated motorsport of drag racing.
Last year she put pedal to the metal and was awarded the 2015 Motorsport South Africa (MSA) Northern Regional Drag Championship title in the Super Street Class.
She also took home an impressive trophy as the Nitro Raceway’s 2015 Eight Cylinder Champion.
Havenga told the Herald that it feels great to be recognised for her achievements, particularly in the Super Street Class as it is a new category for her.
“It means a lot when you achieve something that you have set out to do,” she said.
She attributed her success to strong determination and focus and praised her husband Wouter (an accomplished racer himself) for his incredible support.
“He taught me how to drag race and has always been there for me. It is difficult to do it by yourself.”
When asked what the future looks like for women in drag racing Havenga said: “Not so good. There are only about six women in drag racing at the moment so I hope that can improve.”
In 2016 she will be stepping into a new class, Competition Eliminator, a category which has national status.
She will next be in action at Tarlton Raceway on February 28.