MAMA'S ADRENALIN RUSH

                                                       by Terri Sander

  

                                        Terri with granddaughter Caitlyn

Fast approaching is the ultimate drag racing event of the year, the Winternationals and Terri aka MAMA, also a 51 year old grandmother, is preparing for four days of a mind blowing adrenalin rush. Entered are some of the fastest drag racing cars on the planet with male and female racers going head to head down the quarter mile.

Okay its preparation time for the racecar. So out comes the water and sponge. After some meticulous scrubbing to get the rubber off the rear guards, this being from doing our routine burnouts from the previous race meeting to put heat into the slicks for operating temperature, it's now out with the polish. An hour later with many sore arm muscles, I think granny needs to do some bodybuilding, the car is ready for the next items on the to do list.

Oil and water - check

Spark plugs - check

Air pressure in tyres - check

Under the bonnet check for any unwanted leaks. All is well with the car, now for mama's items:

Helmet and race boots - check

Race suit - check

License and entry papers - check.

Okay all organized and raring to go.

Did I mention I am 51years of age and race in a mainly male dominated sport?

Day 1

It's 11am, Thurs the 5 th June 2008 and the racecar is loaded on the transport truck and heading for the track.

    

                                Setting up in our respective paddock area

On arrival we are met by the officials at the entrance and handed our passes for the next four days and directed to the Super Street paddock area, where we will set up. It's a hive of activity with racers and their crew members laying out tarps, tables, chairs, merchandise for sale and anything else they require to be as comfortable as possible in their respective areas. Only one qualifying pass for this day and mama is happy with her results. Time now to relax and watch the other racers do their qualifying session.

Now did I happen to mention I am 51years old?

Day 2

Two qualifiers today okay had first pass and there is three and a half hours before the second pass, so I decide to walk around and have a chat with some of my fellow racers. Mama has just noticed the time, my goodness how time flies, quick back to the race car because it's time now for the second pass of the day. Mama does her burnout to warm up the tyres, goes into stage, wham the lights are triggered and mama plants her foot hard on the accelerator and flies down the ¼ mile at 185kph.

Way to go mama, by the way did I happen to mention I am 51 years old.

Lined up in the staging lanes ready to race

Day 3

Up with the sparrows because first round of racing is at 8am sharp and boy it's chilly. I need to thaw out the old bones before I race. First up is a quick check of the race car then a pep talk from hubby to put me in the right frame of mind for racing. I climb into the race car and proceed to the staging lanes where we all line up for our ¼ mile pass. Strap myself into the harness, put on the helmet and wait patiently for the signal to move forward. It's time and now the adrenalin starts to kick in, but mama keeps her cool.

Now did I mention I am 51 years old?

Watching the action trackside

Day 4

The spectators just keep rolling in day after day to witness for themselves the roar of the engines and amazing quarter mile passes. This is it the ultimate challenge if the whole four day event, all did not go to plan, so now mama is also a spectator but still loving every minute of this exciting event held only once a year at Willowbank Raceway, Queensland, Australia, mamas home track. Still proud as punch because my end of season results go like this:

5 th place in the Willowbank Raceway track championship in my Super Street bracket.

Tied on 3 rd place in the Australian National Drag Racing championships.

Now did I mention I am 51 years old?