When it comes to a passion for V8 Dirt Modified racing, there is not a younger person who has a bigger passion for the class than Taylah Firth.
Not just a competitor in the V8 Dirt Modified ranks, the 23-year-old from Grafton in NSW does her fair share of lifting behind the scenes from an administration perspective within Dirt Modifieds Australia.
“When it comes to speedway, in particular V8 Dirt Modifieds, I’ve spent most of my life around it, and it’s a passion that I get to share with the whole family,” expressed Firth.
“After many years of helping dad (Andrew) with his V8 Dirt Modified racing, the decision was made for me to get behind the wheel of one, and it’s been a decision that I haven’t regretted since, as I love being able to go racing with dad.”
With no prior racing experience to fall back on, Firth, then aged 19, made the massive leap into V8 Dirt Modified racing four years ago, and after a tentative start, she has been becoming more competitive with every passing season.
“I started in the Sportsmans class, so that was a great entry point for me, and I couldn’t recommend starting in the Sportsman class enough for people wanting to get into V8 Dirt Modifieds,” Firth enthused about the Sportsman class, which run smaller sized and cost effective engines compared to the Open class.
“The Sportsmans class has allowed me to develop as a driver and build up my confidence, and it’s a great for the budget racer and also for people like me who wanted to use it as a stepping stone into the Open ranks.”
After three seasons competing in the Sportsmans class, Firth made the move into the Open ranks of V8 Dirt Modified racing this season and has loved every minute of it. The experience she gained in the previous three seasons in the Sportsmans class has helped her hit the ground running this season in the Open ranks.
This season has seen Firth not only step it up when it comes to her machinery, but also performances out on the track, and there was no better example of this than during last month’s Australian Title at Lismore Speedway. Heading into the Australian Title with confidence, having earlier in the season picked up her first heat race victory during the running of the NSW Title at Grafton Speedway, Firth created Dirt Modifieds Australia history by becoming the first female racer to qualify into the Australian Title deciding feature race. After impressively winning the B main, Firth held her own throughout the feature race and brought home a sixth-place finish.
“The Australian Title was a fabulous weekend and one that will stay in my memory for the rest of my life,” she commented.
“I didn’t have any large expectations heading into the Australian Title weekend other than trying to qualify into the feature race, so to go on to achieve that and then bring home a top-10 finish definitely exceeded my expectations.”
Aside from the enjoyment of competing out on the track aboard her # 15 Hessions Auto Parts backed Bicknell car, Firth is passionate about inspiring future young racers and also helping the growth of V8 Dirt Modified racing as a whole.
“One of the best things about racing is being in a position to engage with race fans and put a smile on their faces after a night’s racing, and it’s something I put a lot of effort in to, as it’s important to help promote the sport in a positive way,” she explained.
“Around my own racing commitments, I currently hold the position of secretary for Dirt Modifieds Australia, and although there is a fair bit of work that goes on behind the scenes, I’m really enjoying the challenge.”
To say that Firth is passionate about helping the growth of V8 Dirt Modified racing both on and off the track would be quite the understatement.
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Photo: Butcher Photography
