Lady dragster driver Shawna Woudstra continues her path forward within the Canadian drag racing scene….

Shawna, who is now 24 years old but who has been involved in drag racing since age 8, is in 2016 having a pretty impressive drag racing season!

Racing her dragster Shawna Woodstra (near lane) has already added some strong event placings to her racing resume this season.

Racing her dragster Shawna Woudstra (near lane) has already added some strong event placings to her racing resume this season.

Racing her 235 inch American-chassis dragster, which features one of Carl Spiering’s ERD-built motor programs, Shawna has been quietly and effectively making waves in Southern Ontario’s drag racing scene and in particular within the Napa/AutoPro USDRS. Campaigning her car in the Top Dragster class there, the graduate and former Junior Dragster racer has had two strong placings this season within that circuit’s event schedule.

At season race #1 at Cayuga last May she came extremely close to collecting that event’s marquee $10G first prize when only a foul start in the title deciding TS/TD Shootout final round denied that goal. Then at race #4 for the USDRS at Grand Bend (last weekend) – she did prevail to win that event’s consolation “Top” eliminator program which featured a mix of the non-qualified cars in TD and TS. And for sure both those events could and should be considered indications of her capability and for her bright future.

Shawna's father Dan handles the race car tuning.

Shawna’s father Dan handles the race car tuning.

Shawna’s drag racing career and program includes a direct close connection support from her father and mother (Dan and Brenda Woudstra).

“Initially my Mom had me enrolled in ballet – but when my Dad bought me my first Junior Dragster – those dance classes got a little slow for me,” Shawna laughed. “Early on I did score a couple IHRA Ironman wins with the Junior. But then when I turned 17 I got this dragster and we’ve been campaigning it ever since.”

Shawna, who is based from Waterdown, is a frequent runner mostly at drag strips in Southern Ontario (Cayuga – GBM – St. Thomas) however she and her family have ventured racing into Quebec and into the U.S. for some select event dates.

We like the clarification on the nose of this car!

We like the not so subtle clarification on the nose of the car!

This dragster is about a 7.3 secs 180+ mph capable car which features some creative companies as sponsors. That includes her primary sponsor Sirron Systems (a Stoney Creek-based automation tech company) who are new for 2016. She is also backed by Mercedes Benz Burlington a dealership where she has been employed since November 2015.

“Our relationship with Sirron and Mercedes Benz Burlington have both been terrific,” she affirmed. “We do a lot of community events together away from the drag strip.”

Shawna’s marketing awarness and personal determination within the sport of drag racing is very apparent. She has set some higher aspirations for herself and continues to chip away at her future objectives.

Woodstra6

“I love this sport and I want to continue to do this,” she added. “I take a lot of inspiration from the many female drag racers out there (Courtney Force – Alexis Dejoria – Erica Enders etc) and I’d love to rise all the way to the top some day. I plan to go wherever and whatever class the sport leads me – but getting my Top Fuel dragster licence is my ultimate goal.”

Post and Photos by Bruce Biegler