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FEMALES HIT THE SALT

By Heath McAlpine

Rachelle Splatt and Gemma Dunn will hit the salt lake at DLRA Speedweek 2020

The world’s first female to crack the 300mph barrier in drag racing, Rachelle Splatt will lead an all-female assault on DLRA Speedweek 2020 at Lake Gairdner, South Australia.

Splatt will join Australia’s first female of the salt lakes Gemma Dunn in her family-built Lakester called ‘Rosie’, which has so far achieved a top speed of 234mph with Dunn behind the wheel. The machine started out as an F-86 Sabre fighter jet fuel tank found by Dunn’s father Mark at a tabacco farm in Victoria.

A 417cu small block Chevy V8 powers the aerodynamic vehicle, with the goal at DRLA Speedweek 2020 to break the 300mph mark explained Dunn.

“It really is a family affair and an obsession that represents our love for cars and all things fast and powerful,” said Dunn.

“The ultimate goal for this car is to break the 300mph barrier, and we’d love to see Rachelle be the one to achieve that goal at some point in the future. She’s been a hero of mine going way back, and we’re ecstatic to have her as part of the team.”

‘Rosie’ is hoped to break the 300mph barrier.

Splatt is excited by the new challenge and expects the new machine will be vastly different than the drag cars she has a history of piloting.

“It’s not just a point and shoot deal, you have to fight them all the way,” said Splatt.

“Unlike the explosive nature of a Top Fuel car that completes its run inside 4 seconds over 1000ft, with these cars you’re in for a long yet fast haul over nine miles with three timed miles (4.8km) on the open Salt, plus the additional time it takes before that timed stretch, just to get them wound up with such tall gearing.

“Even just to crack the 200mph barrier at this early stage for me would be an amazing milestone if possible, and to be a part of the first all Australian female team taking on this event is an exciting quest in its own right.

“From there, the sky is the limit really, and the rest is up to Rosie to see just how far she’ll take us.”

DRLA Speedweek 2020 will be held on March 23-27.

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