Jamie Chaisty is on a high after winning the Australian Super Stock Championships in his Holden VS Commodore.
Camera IconJamie Chaisty is on a high after winning the Australian Super Stock Championships in his Holden VS Commodore. Credit: Supplied/David Baylis

Lesmurdie drag racer following in family footsteps

Sarah BrookesMidland Kalamunda Reporter

LESMURDIE drag racer Jamie Chaisty is following in his family’s footsteps, taking out the 2017 Australian Super Stock Championships in South Australia on April 1.

The 24-year-old mechanical engineering student is the third person in his family to take out top honours in the sport.

“It was always my dream to follow in my dad’s and brother’s footsteps and win the Australian Super Stock Championship,” he said.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“After winning my first national event at Calder Park Raceway in January this year I believed I could win, but I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

“Going into the grand finals at Adelaide International Raceway I just tried to enjoy the weekend and give it my best shot.

“The race car was running fast all weekend which gave me confidence as well.”

Despite the dangers of the sport, Jamie said he had been lucky to escape injury.

“Reaction times are very important in drag racing. You can win or lose the race on the start line.

“My fastest time racing is 9.18 seconds at 234km/h over the quarter mile,” he said.

“Before a race weekend I practice my reaction times on my little practice tree at home.”

Dad Geoff said it was a dream come true to see another son win the championships.

“Taking out the Super Stocks is the pinnacle of this sport,” he said.

“I won the Super Stocks in 1998 and again the following year, my oldest son Jake won in 2014 and now Jamie in 2017.”

Jamie said he would race locally for the remainder of the year.

“Our next event isn’t till October here in Perth because the 2016-2017 season has ended,” he said.

“Our team doesn’t have plans to travel interstate to race next season and instead we will race locally here at the Perth Motorplex to test new things on the race car.”

MORE: Perth Observatory has history written in the stars

MORE: Rottnest Island Authority boss wants new businesses and experiences on island

MORE: Korean War veteran now a South Korean Ambassador for Peace

MORE: Morley community garden group faces eviction