Tanya Nitschke

I have met some awesome people through racing, and many of them women. This woman I met online and we clicked because she was involved in racing. Tanya Nitschke is an Australian woman who is the wife and mom of present and former racers. It is a different but similar world in Australia's racing, let's get to know Tanya and her family.

Tanya got involved in racing in 2016. "My husband and his family are involved in Dirt Karts and Speedway. Which then in turn got our kids into racing Dirt Karts, they started out in Rookies. Ben my husband races Outlaw Dirt Karts and soon V6 Sprint in speedway," Tanya explained. Sounds like exciting times in the Nitschke household, along with chaos. With all the racers in the house I asked her if she ever wanted to race with them weekly and she replied, " I love the dirt track but I haven't wanted to race professionally. I have had a go on our track at home as well as at come and try days at a local track in Ben's Outlaw Dirt Kart." We talked about her role on the team, she is quite busy as one would think. "The role I have in our Nitschke Racing team is Team Manager. I organize licenses, club memberships, calendar for our race year, accommodation, food, stats, motivator, pit crew, mum and wife, work with sponsors, check everyone has everything they need and ready to go," that is a busy woman along with raising her children and taking care of a home. I then asked her if her daughter Makayla wanted to race full time would she be alright with that? Her answer was this, " Our daughter Makayla wanted to race Dirt Karts at age 9. I was 100% supportive and proud that she wanted to race. It boosted her confidence and if she wants to continue to race I support her all the way." Supporting our daughters as well as our sons in racing is key, girls can be just as talented in a car as we have seen with our past interviews.

I asked her about women being treated differently in Australia than in the U.S., " I'm not sure if women are treated differently between our countries. I do know U.S. Driver Harley White is hugely respected in our house and her story inspires us everyday." It is nice to know that women racers from every country can be recognized in other places outside of their own country, and her daughter and sons both look up to women in racing. I inquired about women who race in Australia and there are plenty. Tanya says, " There are women who race in premier series in Australia in various classes. In 410 Sprint cars we have Lisa Walker and she is a huge influence on a lot of young girls who race. This is due to Lisa starting out in Dirt Karts. Our daughter idolizes her. There is also Cheian Perrett who races 410 as well.

V6 sprints has Renee Pfieler. Street stocks has Brooke Ferguson, Kayla Knox, Megan Cheeseman, Emma Hutchinson. Wingless Sprint has Renee Pestka, and this just to name a few." Sounds like Australia has some serious female competition up and coming through the ranks. I then asked if women racers were respected the same as male drivers in Australia, " Women in Australian racing get a lot of respect, they are looked up to for their commitment and confidence in a male dominated sport." I then asked her if women get the same chances in big cars and series, "Women here in Australia get the same chance at big time sponsor's and rides as the men. The drivers need to prove themselves, their driving skills, commitment and attitude." Tanya acknowledges the fact that it is about the effort put out, which is key.

I then asked about girls in racing and if there were a good number of girls that race, " Within Dirt Karts is where the girls are getting a lot more dominant in the sport. The kids all start at Midgets then move onto Rookies, Juniors and Seniors. Over the past few years I have witnessed more and more girls entering the sport and succeeding. From there a lot of girls have gone onto pursue a career in speedway." Again, lots of girls and women coming through the ranks in Australia, maybe we should be looking for the next female big thing from there. Then as a novice in Australian auto racing , I asked if there were different regulations for men and women, " Men and Women have the same regulations, rules and expectations." Seems fair to me. I then asked if she thought a woman could run or own an elite or premiere team or series in Australia, " I believe women can run in an elite series if they want to and have the drive to. They can own a team and run a series if they really, really want to and commit too. There's no stopping women in this sport, they are here, up and coming and doing an amazing job at it. So proud to be a part of it." That is the best answer yet and so much hope for women in the sport worldwide.

Finally, I asked her what she loved about this sport and I cannot agree more, " As soon as I entered the track I was hooked. The fuel smell, the sound, the crowds and the atmosphere. The biggest thing for me is the family atmosphere. Everyone helps each other with anything from mechanical issues, running after each others kids to get them on the track, helping in the pits and the after racing with relaxing together over food and drinks and talking about the day of racing. Every track we go to its everyone coming together and being passionate together about a great sport." Tanya summed it up pretty much the way we all feel when at the track, camaraderie, food, drink and of course racing.