Jasmine Ryan won two from three championship rounds contested on the national stage in 2014 going close to stealing the Modified championship on the final day of the season at Sydney Dragway.
It was a remarkable effort and one that kept title contenders including eventual champion Shane Wynd on their toes right up until her semi final loss at the Australian Nationals.
This weekend at Fuchs South Coast Raceway in Portland, Victoria, the girl from the small Victorian township of Seymour opens the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series with just one goal in mind, to have fun.
“We go out there to have fun, every round is a bonus and we were just very lucky last season,” she said.
“It would be nice (to keep the form going), but I wouldn’t think we could be that lucky two seasons in a row. We’re just out to have a bit of fun and not take it to seriously. It took 15 years to win our first ANDRA Christmas tree, to get two in one year was fantastic, we are chuffed with that!”
While Ryan prefers to focus on having fun, South Coast Raceway is not too dissimilar to the site of her first championship win, Mildura Sunset Strip. The cat is out of the bag now, her rivals know what a tough racer she is and will be wary alongside her in the other lane.
“Portland and Mildura are both fantastic tracks with a club vibe, you always have fun at their meets and are made to feel so welcome. The tracks are always great to race on, the guys and girls work so hard to give us the best racing possible.”
Unfortunately Ryan is unable to compete at every round of the championship in 2015 but last season proved that you only need a few good results to be in the running and with the shortened six-month sprint season to facilitate the switch back to a fiscal year racing calendar, everyone is a contender.
That said, Ryan will be alongside her Supercharged Outlaws championship winning mother Doina Day as she looks to do the double. And although they both drive dragsters, albeit in different categories, you won’t see them getting technical and comparing race notes.
“It was fantastic that Mum won last seasons championship, I’m so excited and proud of her. To be honest it’s really just fun for us every win is a bonus and the prize money helps us to keep racing, but as far as comparing notes, we have really only analysed our meal plans so we are not having four days straight of BBQ’s at the track!”
Round 1 of the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series begins with qualifying this Saturday and eliminations on Sunday (Jan 17-18) at Fuchs South Coast Raceway in Portland Victoria.
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