Racer plans to build on historic first victory

MOTORSPORT: Toowoomba’s Alexandra Whitley created history at the weekend.

The 25-year-old racer has no plans to rest on her laurels, though.

After becoming the first female driver to win a NZ V8 Utes Series race, Whitley was excited but also reserved.

“Winning that race is very cool,” Whitley said.

“Knowing I’m the first female racer to do that in the series’ history and blazing that path for others is great.

“I would’ve liked to have performed a little better over the whole weekend, though.

“You have to be consistent

‘‘ YOU HAVE TO BE CONSISTENT FOR A LONG TIME IF YOU WANT TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS. ALEXANDRA WHITLEY

for a long time if you want to win championships.”

Whitley finished the opening round of the series in fifth after sixth (race one), first (race two) and seventh (race three) placings.

Forced to work her way through the pack, it was her race three performance that frustrated Whitley the most.

“I stalled on the start line and pretty much started the race from last,” she said.

“And then when I was racing I could feel a lot of understeer which made racing pretty tough.

“I managed to work my way up to finish seventh, though.

“It turned out I had a very slow leak in one of my tyres so to show that much pace with a mechanical issue is a positive.”

Round one out of the way Whitley said she would now turn her attention to preparing for her next race.

“The next round (in January) is at Highlands,” she said.

“I’ve never raced there so I’m looking forward to it.

“It’s a drivers’ track – very technical so I am excited.”