Toowoomba talent closes in on breakthrough result
MOTORSPORT: Alexandra Whitley is proving she has the skills to match it with New Zealand’s best drivers.
The Toowoomba talent, who competes in NZ’s SsangYong and Porter Group V8 utes series, is positive her first V8 podium finish is not far away.
“I’ve been racing really well lately – I feel good,” Whitley said.
“I love the challenges of racing in the two series.
“I’m looking at this year in the V8s as my apprenticeship. There’s a real technical aspect to it – working with a team to prep the ute, learning the braking points on the tracks that kind of thing.
“Next year I’ll be right up among the best.”
Whitley recorded with two fifth place finishes in Hampton Downs round last weekend.
Starting from sixth on the grid Whitley had worked her way up to third, recording some of the race’s fastest lap times, before her wheel hub collapsed with two laps remaining. Whitley started the next V8 race from the back of grid but showed an excellent turn of pace and skill.
“I was really on the pace in the last race,” she said.
“I worked my way quickly through the field before finishing fifth – if I had been able to start that race a little higher up I think I would’ve been on the podium.”
Whitley will compete in two endurance races and a sprint event before the end of the month.