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| Rookie Driver
Uses Humour To Keep 'On Track' |
STROUD, ON - "I
never even went to a race track until 2000" says Jane Harris, the self-titled
'Pit Cheer Girl' of Sunset Speedway. Always upbeat, smiling and full of
vinegar (as our mothers might say), the youthful 36 year old Harris has
just completed her first year of stock car racing. She finished the year
with 117 points, 30th in a 36 Thunder Car field.
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Definitely
the most pleasant and always-laughing lady racer you'll ever want to meet,
Harris uses humour and a constant smile to fuel her efforts around the
track. "I felt like the pinball in a pinball game. I got T-Boned in my
first race." she says laughing, referring to her first race this past
season. At the track she's known as "giggles", and for good reason.
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| She has absolutely
no racing history to speak of in her family, but now enjoys even the chance
to go to the garage and do odd jobs for some of the other racers she's
gotten to know well. "I can't wait for next year" says Harris who lives
within a stone's throw of Sunset Speedway. |
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Jane raced three times
in 2001 in John Hitchen's #15 Thunder car. Harris has thoroughly
enjoyed every moment of her short racing career.
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Her first
experience with racing was when she attended a race to watch the track's
Mark Zacchigna (2001 track champ) race his thunder car. After that she
was introduced to another Sunset driver, John Hitchen, who offered her
the chance to get behind the wheel of his thunder car.
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"I had my
first race video-taped" she says, giggling. "We (her and Hitchen) could
see how I did and where to improve." With pointers from the established
racers such as Doug Harvey and Maurizio Ciccarelli, and some positive
support from the track itself, Harris has thoroughly enjoyed every moment
of her short racing career.
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Jane raced
three times in 2001 in Hitchen's #15, and from hearing her talk
about the whole experience, she would really like to have a ride
for 2002. With track promoter and owner Steve Slaughter making room
for a 4 cylinder ministock class in 2002, Harris suggests this may
be where she ends up.
"As for next year, I'm not sure. I almost had fun in my last race."
she says jokingly. "I miss it already."
A graphic artist, bookkeeper and mother of nine year old Kady, Jane
appears to have fallen in love with racing. |
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"I just love the atmosphere at the track"
says Harris who is known affectionately as 'Lady Jane' by some
drivers. "They're very supportive, they watch out for me." When
asked about any flak she may have taken from others for being
a woman driver in a mostly-male sport, she states "not really,
not from the ones that know me, not from anyone really. We have
lots of fun out there."
< Next Lady of Sunset?
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When not
contributing to her own on-track requirements, Harris is usually helping
others. This off-season Jane is assisting fellow driver Maurizio Ciccarelli
with a Sponsorship Proposal for his new move from thunder car to challenger.
"That's what makes me happy - putting a smile on other people's faces"
she says.
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With that said, all you need to do is
meet Jane Harris. She'll put a smile on your face. Guaranteed.
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| >>>>>>
Anyone wishing to contact Jane to show her your support, may do so through
her email at giggles34ca@yahoo.com |
| More Ladies of Sunset ...... Amanda
Connolly, Melissa Long |
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Pepsi. Official Soft Drink at Sunset Speedway. |
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Visitors
since August 1st 2001 |
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2003. All Rights Reserved.
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