Fuelled up and ready to race

Sixteen-year-old Olivia Mitchell is competing in the annual Ashburton Car Club street sprint in town this weekend.

It will be her second time in the race, and she has just one wish - to beat her time from last year.

Last year, she did four runs and shaved one minute off her time.

Olivia and her uncle – Ashburton Car Club president Bryce Mitchell — will use the same car for the two day Ashburton Street Sprint event. Their 1989 Honda Civic EF.

It has a 2.2 litre V-Tech engine, and good suspension, Bryce said.

They will be among 65 drivers to start on Saturday.

Also racing is world rally champion, Hayden Paddon from Cromwell, driving a Hyundai AP4, and defending champion, Stefan Moser-Rust of Christchurch, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO5.

Members of the public can meet Paddon, and other drivers, at an event in the Mitre 10 Mega Ashburton car park, on Friday from 4.30pm.

Despite the top line-up Olivia is unfazed.

The year 12 Ashburton College student has been a member of the Ashburton Car Club and driving at club events since age 12.

Among her studies she does automotive.

She likes the thrill of motorsport and most recently competed in the car club’s annual tarsealed motorkhana on Sunday at the Fairfield Freight Hub at the northern end of the Northpark Business Estate.

She drove a red Mini Cooper and her L-plate was proudly on display.

‘‘I like the adrenaline. It’s really fun to get the adrenaline pumping,’’ she said.

‘‘And it is nice to race with family.’’

Bryce, 40, competing in his 16th street sprint, is looking for a better placing than his 17th in 2025.

He wants to beat his best run time of two minutes 40 seconds.

Bryce said he loves everything about motorsport, especially racing with members and family.

Street sprint:
The Ashburton Street Sprint – Fuelled by KFC is on Saturday and Sunday in the Riverside Industrial Estate, Ashburton, each day from 8.30am. Spectator entry $10 per adult, under 15 free.