Junior Drag Bike racer Lillian Hagan is heading to this weekend’s Harbour City Nationals at Benaraby Dragway (November 2) as a newly crowned 2023/2024 NDRC Aeroflow National Sportsman Champion.
The 15-year-old Year 9 student heads to this Saturday’s event full of confidence following her victory at the winner-takes-all Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship Grand Final at Dragway at The Bend across October 19-20.
“The NDRC Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship win has not completely sunk in yet, but it has a little, and it has made me realise that anyone can do what they want to do as long as they put their mind to it and put in the hard work and dedication,” Hagan said.
“The win at has also given me a ‘I can do it’ attitude, but having said that, I am not going to stop trying and think that I have done it once so I can automatically win again.
“I will be racing different people at Benaraby to who I did at the Bend, and also some that I did race at the Bend, but you can’t count anyone out – anyone can have a bad weekend!
“It would definitely be fantastic to win at the Harbour City Nationals though, having all the support of my track family and continuing my great start to season two of the NDRC and Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship.
“We are going to chase the championship a little harder this season, so if we can keep the momentum going at Benaraby this weekend and then across the rest of the season, that would be great – we are definitely keen to defend the number one in Junior Drag Bike!”
This weekend’s racing will be held at Hagan’s home-track, located two hours from her home in Monto.
“Racing at Benaraby for me is different to racing at any other track because it is like family to me, it is my home track and I have done more passes there than anywhere else, broken more records there, and done my licensing there,” said Hagan, who wants to graduate to Street Fighter, Modified Bike and then eventually Top Fuel Motorcycle after she graduates from the junior ranks at 17.
“The support and help they have given me when I have needed it has been unreal.
“Heading into the weekend, I will be doing so with the same preparation as I normally have – practicing my reactions on my practice Christmas Tree, looking at data from previous runs, and trying to figure out what the bike will run in certain conditions.”
Hagan will once again be competing in the Junior Drag Bike bracket, a relatively new championship class within the Australian drag racing ranks.
“Junior Drag Bike is an excellent class because of all the support you get from all of the other racers,” she said.
“For example, if another racer did not make it into the final, they all come up and watch the finals, and before every race, the parents of the racers will come and fist pump one another – it is kind of our way of saying good luck.
“All in all, Junior Drag bike is an awesome bracket to be apart of!” Hagan concluded, while thanking her long list of sponsors including lead supporters Outback Flooring Solutions, BAR Welding, Boy Expresso, Flemings Auto Bits, and Dave Oliver Motorcycle Tyres.
The Harbour City Nationals will be held at Benaraby Dragway on Saturday November 2. For the full listing of events, please visit https://nationaldragracing.com.au/calendar/
To learn more about the Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship and the NDRC, visit www.ndrc.tv
