Townsville speed-racer shows no fear

NATALIE PEUT

October 22nd, 2008

TEGAN Moore has no fear. At just nine years old, Moore doesn't mind putting the pedal to the metal travelling up to 90km/h down the drag strip.

Moore started this year in June when she became old enough to race.

"I've always wanted to do it," Moore said.

"I drive a junior dragster which is a long car.

"I was really excited when Dad said I was getting a junior dragster. I said `yay' because I'd always wanted one."

After attending just three local race meetings, where she finished runner-up, Moore set her sights on the Australian championships, held in Mackay on the weekend.

Up against 15 other junior racers, Moore did her best but finished out of the placings.

The Wulguru State school student has learnt a lot the past four months of racing and said she helped her father wherever she could with the car.

"I help him when I get in the car and I have to press the accelerator and brake and different types of things because Dad can't get in and reach them," Moore said.

"But most of the time I clean the car."

In her short time of racing, Moore mastered much to ensure she drives safely.

Moore's father Barry said they `pretty much' put a blindfold on her to make sure she knew where everything was out of reflex.

"They need to know the brake, accelerator and where all the emergency switches are," Barry said.

"It's very important they understand the car because, at the end of the day, although it's not dangerous, she's still doing 55 miles an hour (about 90km). These cars accelerate as hard and fast as a HSV commodore, that's how quick they are off the mark."

Moore's grandfather Jim, who has retired from racing, started competing in the 1970s at Savannah, near Oonoonba racing a VW.

Barry began racing in 1992 at 20 years old and set an Australian record for a four-cylinder turbo-charged car, clocking 9.94secs at 217km/h.

Moore's brother Joshua will join the family tradition in two years when he is old enough to race.

Source: Townsville Bulletin