Dragway pit crew ‘cut a crazy light’ at the Bend
Naomi Ward has found herself behind the wheel with her foot to the boards during the Outlaw Speed Shop Off-Street Series.
This post includes contributions by Veronica Ward.
After only one year of crewing for her partner, Shane Bormann of Murray Bridge, Naomi now finds herself enjoying the buzz of safely going flat out at the legal street drag racing at Tailem Bend’s dragway.
“We’re so lucky to have such a world-class venue on our doorstep,” Ms Ward said.
“No matter what experience you have, you can now safely cut a crazy light at Tailem’s Dragway at the Bend.”
Cut a crazy light Ms Ward surely did, achieving a 0.003-second reaction time off the tree and reaching a top speed of 98.7 miles per hour in only 14.26 seconds over the quarter mile – an outstanding result for a first-time dragger.
“I was full of butterflies and nerves on my first run, then the adrenaline kicked in,” Ms Ward said.
“You wouldn’t believe it – to make it more nerve-racking, I was paired with my partner Shane in his 1974 HQ GTS coupe.
“I gave him a run for his money.”
Some speed purists say the term “dragway” originated from a simple mate’s challenge: “Drag your car out of your garage and race me.”
The Outlaw Speed Shop’s off-street drag racing brings street-registered cars and motorbikes out of their driveways and straight onto the fast, sticky lanes of the drag strip.
Ms Ward encourages everyone she meets to get out to the dragway and have some fun.
“Race your mates or call out a vehicle on the night, or just test your vehicle and skill against the lights – it’s crazy,” she said.
“I can’t wait for the next Christmas off-street drag night.”
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