Third generation racer Britney Olive will make her professional drag racing debut, becoming the only current active female driver in PDRC Pro Alcohol, as she contests her dragster in round two of the NDRC/PDRC Pro Alcohol Championship this weekend at Dragway At The Bend (February 8/9).
The Olive family has a long history in the sport, and while more recently Britney’s father Shane has been competing in the NDRC Top Fuel Championship, Britney has been conservatively carving her own path into the professional drag racing ranks of the sport she adores.
“I have been in and around the sport of drag racing pretty much my whole life and spent many years watching my dad race a very extensive list of different race cars,” said Britney. “Being able to support your dad in cars such as a Top Fuel Dragster is watching someone tick off their ultimate bucket list goal, along with having the opportunity to work on and watch these cars up close in all their glory is an amazing memory to keep forever.”
“As I got older and more intrigued on how the cars operate, I went from watching racing in the stands with my family to being on the start line working on various cars with my dad at the steering wheel, to now having my dad and family supporting me whilst I venture to in many race cars. However, I’ve always wanted to race from as long as I can remember, I guess you could say it’s in my blood, but I mainly wanted to push myself outside comforts zones and to be the best version of myself I could be.
“Everything that the sport offers, I love. The community, the thrill of success, the drive and determination to be better than the run before, it’s all part of why the sport is so enticing to be a part of. Being able to inspire other people to take on the challenge of racing whilst also competing against people you have cheered on when you were younger is a crazy feeling, but that’s why I love the sport.
Britney started out her racing career in an aspirated Big Block altered competing in Modified, before a titanic shift to the other end of the drag racing spectrum presented itself in the form a blown alcohol dragster.
“We went from running a shorter wheel-based car to a longer car, from a Big Block motor to a blown Hemi,” said Britney. “Our last meeting in the altered we actually suffered some engine damage that we got repaired and during the time of rebuilding the opportunity came up to purchase the dragster not long after. Before I knew it, the dragster was in Dad’s garage and here we are! The car and its set up were more suited around both dad’s and my style of racing with Supercharged engines. We knew it would be a challenge as the car was fairly bare when we bought it but during COVID went spent time putting this car together and we are so happy with how the car came out.
Cutting her first laps in the dragster on her quest to Pro Alcohol was in Supercharged Outlaws, adapting to the vast differences from her previous ride.
“The altered was a really good car for me to start in, it took a while to get use to the delay box and being in a race car in general,” said Britney. “I also had a break from racing in between the two cars for about two years, so it felt like I was learning how to race and compete all over again. Now, the dragster is completely different to drive in all aspects. Faster, much louder and it definitely puts you back in your seat. But after a while the car becomes calming and as if it is second nature. I would say about six months to feel comfortable with the car and competing to its capabilities.”
After a successful debut season competing in Supercharged Outlaws at the Sydney Dragway where Britney wrapped up the NSW Track Championship Series, the team, out of circumstance, made the decision to prepare for her Pro Alcohol debut at the last series Grand Final – the result was a cracking 5.81 at 242mph personal best.
“During most of last year’s season we ran our first engine which is a small cube Hemi with a Roots supercharger. However, a week prior to the last meeting of the NSW Championship series last year we noticed our block had sustained wear and tear damage, therefore making it unable to be used,” recalled Britney. “So, for the final meeting we had A-Civil Motorsports loan us an engine for us to be able to keep competing and secure our championship win, so our current engine we are running is a little bigger in cubes with a screw blower.
In a pinch-herself moment to know it’s actually real, the time has finally come for Britney to make her PDRC Pro Alcohol debut this weekend at the phenomenal Dragway At The Bend facility.
“It’s one of those moments where your both nervous but very excited that it’s happening, all at the same time. Debuting in Pro Alcohol has been something we slowly started thinking about last year and after the end of the NSW season we thought why not have a crack at it. Overall, we are very excited to step it up a notch and run in the big leagues,” she said.
“For this event we are just looking to go and have a good time! We have no expectations, but we want the car to perform well, if that means we turn on win lights at the same time, that’s a bonus for us. Eventually as we move through the rounds, we will be chasing points in the PDRC championship, and I will do my best to snag a trophy of the boys. Overall, our plans are to race the PDRC Pro Alcohol season, and the NSW Championship series if the rounds do not overlap.
“It’s crazy to think that I have watched most of these guys race for many years so I’m excited to see what I can bring to the competition. Who knows maybe I’ll try and grab a trophy whilst I’m at it.
“I can’t thank Dad enough for an opportunity like this to live out my dreams. He has taught me everything I know when it comes to this sport – perseverance, drive, confidence, mechanical understanding and overall, how to enjoy every moment of the sport. Along with Mum, Sebastian and my whole family in their support in this journey, I also wouldn’t be able to get the car down the track without all my crew and everyone who has helped along with way. My sponsors A-Civil Motorsports and MJ Mobile Mechanics, we wouldn’t be able to run the car as much as we can without these guys supporting us. I am truly grateful for them all.”
Don’t miss Britney Olive’s Pro Alcohol debut this weekend at Dragway At The Bend, where for the first time ever Pro Alcohol, Pro Mod and Pro Import compete for championship gold at the venue. Plus see the return of Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle for their championship duels – Feb 8/9 2025.
General Admission tickets are available NOW at https://www.outix.co/tickets/event/summit2425-tcs4 – and remember KIDS UNDER 15 FREE!
