New mum to return to driver’s seat this weekend for Winternationals
Fiona Reed will represent Autobarn Browns Plains and Kincrome at the FUCHS Winternationals this weekend (Photo courtesy dragphotos.com.au)Just seven weeks after giving birth to her first child, Fiona Reed will return to the driver's seat at the largest drag racing event held outside of the US this weekend, with the support of a new sponsor.
Fiona Reed (Keating) will make her comeback to the sport she loves this weekend at the largest drag racing event held outside of the US – the FUCHS Winternationals (7-10 June) at Willowbank Raceway – just seven weeks after welcoming her first child to the world.
Reed will do so with the support of new sponsor Autobarn Browns Plains and her husband Daniel Reed – crew chief for Top Doorslammer outfit Stuart Bishop Racing.
Their daughter, Makayla, is already becoming a track regular, with the seven week old not batting an eyelid at the weekend as engines roared around her and mum took to the Willowbank Raceway quarter-mile for a test run.
"A few people have said I am crazy getting back in the car so soon, but we have taken it slowly!" said Reed.
"I have the all clear and testing went well, even if it was a bit scary rolling out for that first pass. Now that I have the confidence back I am really excited to be representing new sponsor Autobarn Browns Plains as well as Kincrome on track at the biggest event held outside of the US.
"We were all interested to see how Makayla would take to the track, she had her first visit to the quarter-mile last weekend and she has really taken to it – I think we may have a little drag racer on our hands!"
Autobarn Browns Plains' Rob Hook is looking forward to watching Reed in action this weekend.
"Everyone here at Autobarn Browns Plains is very pleased to join Keating Motorsport for the 2013 Winternationals," said Hook.
"Fiona is a great racer and I think she is going to make a great representative for Autobarn Browns Plains – I can't wait to see her in action this weekend."
While Reed is excited and inspired to do well, it will be a case of 'softly, softly' for the Willowbank Raceway Supercharged Outlaws reigning champion for the bracket.
"When I stepped out of the seat I was fighting for the national Supercharged Outlaws title, and with five rounds still left to run from an 11 round calendar, I still have a mathematical chance to make an impact," said Reed.
"Having said that though I am making a comeback after pregnancy, and a pretty quick comeback at that, so I am going to ease myself into it and just see how things go.
"Fun will be the name of the game, that and doing my best to represent Autobarn Browns Plains and Kincrome at what is the biggest event of the year for our sport.
"The whole family is very excited about my return to the track, so I know everyone will be pitching in to give me the best chance possible of having a fun and successful weekend!"
Reed is the reigning Supercharged Outlaws Willowbank Raceway track champion, the 2010/2011& 2011/2012 and placed fourth in the national chase during the 2011/2012 season after a title fight which went right down to the wire at the season-ending 2012Winternationals.
That event signalled the end of financial year season calendars for drag racing in Australia, with the sport now moving to a calendar year. As part of the transition, the 2012/2013 season will kick off in October, running through to November 2013 before the 2014 season is the first to run a more traditional calendar year format.
Fans can follow Fiona's race campaign by visiting www.facebook.com/KeatingMotorsport
Keating Motorsport upcoming events:
- 7-9 June 2013 – Willowbank Raceway
- 20-21 July 2013 – Benaraby
- 19 October 2013 – Willowbank Raceway
- 1-3 November 2013 – Sydney Dragway
- 16 November 2013 – Willowbank Raceway
