ANDRA Fastlane ANDRA FASTLANE ED25 | Page 30

racerprofile CHELSEA SAMMUT Age 14 Hometown Sunbury, Victoria Occupation Student (year 8) Started racing August 2017 Classes competed B Class Best ET and speed 8.73 seconds @ 72.5MPH Sponsors Melton Motor Wreckers, Epic Visuals, Ballistic and Gone Mowing Favourite race vehicle Rail / Top Fuel Favourite TV show Tanked Favourite food Ice Cream Favourite race track Sunset Strip Mildura How did you get into racing? I’ve gone to the drags since I was a little girl as my uncle has always raced and my dad crewed for him. It was at the Nationals at Calder Park Drag Strip in January 2017 that my sisters and I saw a Junior Dragster for sale. Let’s just say a family meeting was held, we all agreed as a family to go down this road and here we are today. What do you consider as your racing highlights? Coming runner up at the recent Sunset Strip Nationals would have to be my biggest highlight to date. Finishing in the top 10 in the 2017/18 Summit Racing Equipment Championship was pretty awesome too. What do you love about Junior Dragster Racing? It is a rush, I can’t legally drive on the road but I can get strapped into a Junior Dragster and race down a track. I also love getting to meet new people from all across Australia who love the sport like I do – a lot of them have become like a second family to me (my drag family). What is your ultimate racing goal/dream? To win a Christmas Tree and one day maybe a championship. What do your school mates think about what you do? Most people at school including teachers thought I was joking when I said I race a Junior Dragster, so I referred them to my profile on Junior Dragster Australia. They were surprised – it is not your standard sport or hobby! At the recent Sunset Strip Nationals you were the runner-up to current championship leader Jake Berias - how did it feel to go to the final and take out the runner-up honours? It was brilliant, I got to take on Jake who is currently un-beaten. Jake was so supportive, gave me a hug before the race and told me to have fun and let’s put on a show, this settled my nerves (mostly) and I think we did put on a show. Is there anyone you would like to thank for being part of your drag racing journey? I want to thank my parents and my sisters, Georgia and Jessica, and also my mascot Mango (the Bearded Dragon). Also all of the other junior dragster families who welcomed me into their community with open arms. Oh and I can’t forgot The Camilleris, I need to thank them for selling us the car! Photos by Automotive Event Images and Outlaw Images (action shot)