NDRC runs on horsepower, but it’s built on people.
Today, we want to shout out the women who drive this championship forward at every round.
The women who strap in, stage up and chase the win light.
The women in the pits, on the tools, on the radios and on the fire extinguishers.
The women who stand behind the beams with nerves of steel.
The women who back the long builds, the late nights and the all-in calls.
The women raising the next generation along the fence line.
The women who are first through the gates, last out of the pits and back again next season with their crews, their families and their stories.
We thank you and are honoured to have you in the NDRC community, season after season.
Happy International Women’s Day, legends!
ADRIANA CARTLEDGE
After graduating from Junior Dragster, Adriana stepped into Modified and hasn’t looked back, finishing third in last season’s NDRC championship despite missing much of the year to welcome a baby. She first fell in love with the sport at 13 at Sydney Dragway, chasing her licence and backing herself from day one.
“Don’t be afraid to give it a go! There are so many people in the drag racing community that will help you learn and succeed!”
AMANDA COBB
Amanda Cobb spent her childhood at kart tracks in Queensland, and her journey led her to manage media for the Gold Coast Indy and Willowbank Raceway. Eventually, she founded Jigsaw Communications, where she focuses on sharing the stories behind the horsepower. With a passion for racing and a no-nonsense approach, she believes drag racing rewards those who are eager to learn the craft and back themselves.
“Jump in with enthusiasm, keep learning, ask the questions and don’t be afraid to take your place in the sport.”
BOONY ZAMMIT
Boony has been involved in drag racing since she was just seven years old, starting with Junior Dragsters before finding her unique niche in the sport. These days, she’s at the helm of the Sydney Dragway fire crew, earning the admiration of racers from all categories for her dedication to keeping them safe when it counts most.
“Give it a red-hot go, trust your gut, trust your crew and stick it to the boys.”
BRITNEY OLIVE
Britney practically grew up in the staging lanes. She started off competing in Modified and now races her Supercharged Outlaws dragster while supporting her dad in Top Fuel. Drag racing isn’t just a hobby for her; it’s part of her DNA, rooted in family, togetherness and the relentless pursuit of improvement every time she hits the track.
“Savour every moment of the journey and let yourself grow with it.”
KELSEY WALFORD-LEAHY
Kelsey is a third-generation racer who kicked off her journey in Junior Dragster at just 13 years old. For the past 10 years, she’s been tearing it up in Modified while also supporting her husband Josh on the Aeroflow Nitro Funny Car and managing the team’s social media presence. Whether she’s racing, on the tools or sharing the team’s story, she’s fully committed.
“Don’t hold back. Push past the fear and give it everything you’ve got.”
LILLIAN HAGAN
Queensland’s Lillian has dominated Junior Bike since the bracket launched, claiming back-to-back NDRC National Championships. She started racing at 11 after watching her dad compete in Street Bike and hasn’t looked back.
“If you’re dedicated and put your mind to it, you can achieve anything you want in this sport.”
LISA GREGORINI
NDRC’s leading female racer made history as the first woman to win a Top Doorslammer event and now stands as the quickest woman in Australia in a door car, finishing third in last season’s championship with an all-female crew behind her.
A Top Doorslammer gifted by husband Daniel for her 30th birthday took things to another level, but her connection to the sport started young, growing up around the track while her dad crewed.
“Back yourself, ask questions and don’t be afraid to get involved.”
MONIQUE AMBRUOSI
A dragster racer, qualified welder and fabricator, Monique has built a following of more than 210,000 on Instagram, but her story started in the workshop with her dad, growing up around his Funny Cars, engine builds and fabrication work. Now racing in the United States, she carries that foundation with her every time she straps in, determined to make Australia and her dad proud on the world stage.
“Never give up on something you can’t go a day without thinking about.”
SAMMY JO JOHNSON
Fresh off her time in the Women’s Big Bash League with the Sydney Thunder, Sammy-Jo Johnson has traded in her cricket bat for a drag racing helmet and is now on the hunt for win lights in the NDRC Aeroflow Sportsman Series. A proud Commodore enthusiast, she first ran an eighth-mile at 17 before stepping up to the quarter-mile at Sydney Dragway, discovering a new competitive edge in bracket racing where precision is everything.
“It doesn’t matter who’s next to you, you focus on your lane.”
VANESSA ROHDMANN
Vanessa made the leap from the Sportsman bike ranks into Pro Stock Motorcycle last season, becoming the first Australian woman in nearly 30 years to hold a Pro Stock Motorcycle licence and compete. What began as local test-and-tune nights with mates evolved into a national breakthrough, built on belief, backing and a community that stands behind its own.
“Put yourself out there – we’ve got your back.”
