Drag racing couple calls it a day

Brakpan’s drag racing husband and wife duo, Wouter and Elise Havenga, recently called it quits after years of serious competition.

The couple announced at the last round of drag racing nationals, held at Tarlton Raceway on October 30, last year, that they would be retiring from competitive national racing.

“We have been competing for 11 and seven years, respectively, and decided that it is time to pursue other avenues in motorsport, on a more social level,” said Wouter.

“We have both won various titles and I still hold two South African records.”

Read: Drag racer breaks national record

It has been a long journey for the Havengas who have both enjoyed success on the drag strip.

A cupboard, packed to the max with trophies, at their Dalpark Extension Five home bears testament to their success.

At the last round of nationals, Elise again claimed third place in the hotly contested Competition Eliminator class and finished in fifth position overall for the season in her V8-powered BMW. Wouter won the Super Competition Eliminator class in the last round and finished third in the national championships in his Hoosier Ford Escort.

Wouter said that his love for cars developed many years ago with a Ford Cobra.

“I still belong to the Cobra Club of South Africa, and have always had a passion for cars.

“My passion grew after I started rebuilding an old abandoned scrap car.

“Some of my earliest drag events were in the Cobra.

“I thought that it was good fun and I decided to get more proactive.”

Wouter has owned 13 Cobras in his life and served on the Cobra Club of South Africa’s committee for six years.

He was vice-chairman for two years and served a year as chairman.

“In 2005 I started competing in drag racing on a national level.

“I absolutely loved competing although it was a bit of a downer when they closed Wesbank Raceway because that was the only high-end grade track that we had.”

Wouter added that Elise would assist him in the pits and was always there for him.

“Since she was always at the track, Elise decided she was going to get a car and start competing too.

“She started competing in the street categories and did well.” said Wouter.

Read: Elise has a need for speed

When asked what it is like for a female competitor in a predominately male sport, Elise said: “It’s really difficult.

“It’s a man’s world.

“There were only seven women competing in the national series, which has over 100 competitors, so that says a lot.

“When we are on the track, however, there is no male or female.

“I think that the women are more competitive than the men because we have so much more to prove.”

Wouter said that his most enjoyable moment in drag racing was winning the national championship in 2011, in a M5 powered Cobra.

“I was over the moon.

“It made everything so worthwhile, because a lot of time goes into it.

“My two national records also stand out for me.”

Elise said that competing in drag racing has made her a much stronger person.

“Emotionally, I am stronger.

“It has helped me tackle a lot of things in my life with a better attitude and more focus.

“I have learned that there will always be fear in life, but you cannot let it stop you.”

The couple, who have been married for 37 years, offered some advice to anyone who might be looking at getting into any form of motorsport.

“If you have a passion for it, do it,” they said.

“Keep it legal and keep it off the streets.”