12-27-2010 14:56 BJT
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Drag racing is a sport long considered as an adrenaline-charged ride that requires skill, determination and fearlessness. It has also traditionally been dominated by men. One driver hoping to break with the past is Karen Aston. She is eager to become a regular face, and race winner, on the British Drag Racing circuit with her own racing team.
The Santa Pod Raceway in Bedfordshire, England, is the spiritual home of European Drag Racing.
'The Pod' is the venue for the FIA's European Championships, but also recently played host to a woman with a need for speed.
She is 36-year-old Karen Aston from Windsor. Karen suffers from multiple sclerosis, a condition which has affected her for the past fifteen years. Less than 12 months after getting her first taste of the sport, Aston and her partner Gordon purchased two cars,and created their own racing team, Team Edge. They not only intend to compete, but also promote awareness of M-S.
Karen Aston said, "Well, Team Edge is new for 2010, with two cars and I am going to be racing one of them, Enigma, and Gordon set the team up wanting people to understand like me, because he's been there with me when people said: "What? it doesn't look like there's anything wrong with Karen - what's M.S?"
To improve her driving skills aboard Enigma, "Kaz" is taking last-minute instruction from John Webster, a man widely regarded as Britain's top drag racer.
Drag racer John Webster said, "It is important that it is really boiled down to basics, because it looks so easy in a lot of ways but what goes on there is a lot to think about: the functionality of the car, and keep an eye on what is going on within the car with gauges and that kind of stuff. Karen is really receptive to anything that is said really and I think she will do really well."
The anticipation and thrill of preparing for her first meeting gives Karen a welcome distraction from the troubles of M-S. Despite her excitement at becoming one of few women to enter the sport, she knows that she has to take it one step at a time and not look for immediate returns.
Karen Aston said, "It's one of those things where it's understanding your limitations, and actually not pushing your body into a situation where you've kind of pushed it too far and then you need some extra time out.'
The world of drag racing has provided Karen with a great platform to promote awareness about a disease that's under-reported around the world. Even if she brings M-S to the attention of just one more person, then Enigma and Karen Aston will have done their job. But whatever the outcome, she's determined to have fun.
Karen Aston said, "I just want Enigma to run as fast as possible, and yes, there are some really amazing drivers and teams in street eliminator sets and I supposed they really inspired me really last year. But I am just trying to do as best as I can and I want to be the fastest nurse on earth!"
Karen Aston is ready to make her mark on one of the most thrilling and adrenaline-charged sports in the world.
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