AllAboutBikes asked Lizz to tell us just how it is to be a woman in the drag racing world and how she came to joining this thrill-seeking sport. She believes to be the only female on a competition bike in the UK and this is what she had to say.
My interest in drag racing started about 15 years ago, when one weekend, an old friend of mine took me to watch him crew for a bike team at Santa Pod. Eventually I started crewing too and after that, I was hooked. When the team disbanded, I had the bug and started to crew for Paul Wing (thanks Paul!) who raced in Super Street Bike.
He gave me the opportunity to race one of his bikes, a Suzuki EFE 1327cc firstly in 10.90 and then 9.90 which was a bracket class, and something I was useless at. It is not natural to slow down, so invariably so I would go too fast and get knocked out on the first round! For my sins, I decided to have another go on a 750cc Suzuki GSX-R belonging to Ian Warren. I wasn’t much better, but my wheelies got pretty impressive!
Then, I was back to crewing again, but still badly wanting to have another go. Nevertheless, I diversified a lot for 5 years crewing for cars and such, but then got pretty sick. Pretty sick turned out to be cancer, and I battled away trying to cope with chemotherapy, as well as keep a job, a roof over my head, and still go racing. Where there’s a will there’s a way!
A few months before my 6 monthly check up, I met Kevin, my now partner who was at the time changing classes from Competition bike to Funny bike – these are bikes with a slick tyre and wheelie bars to stop the power from flipping the bike on launch. I learnt how to set up a clutch, and did the starting and spannering, and clutch after each run. I then received the all clear and in remission, I started to learn more and more, for example, understanding what to look for on the data logger, and how to feed the crew on a budget of nothing! I still wanted so badly to have a go at this myself!
In 2008 we went to do a few demonstration runs at the Bulldog Bash. There was talk of me having a go at the event, “yeah right’’ I thought. Kev had one run, then got back to the pits before the rest of the guys, and told me I was riding it! Time for the excuses to stop, no turning back now!
So, I got my leathers on as my nerves started taking over. Regardless of the feelings and nerves, I sat on the bike waiting for the last of the demos to run. I was told I would be the last run of the day, after Eric Teboul on a rocket bike. I would race after him in the opposing lane he went up on, due to the hydrogen peroxide leaving a film on the track surface. So I kept going over everything that Kev, Chris and Ken had told me and did did the practices of the launch (Now I know that no amount of asking or being told how to launch can ever prepare you for that!).
Fire force went up, then Eric, who didn’t have a good run. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the spectators leaving the stands, so felt a little better that not many would be watching me make a complete fool of myself – But not to my knowledge until after my run, had the commentator beckoned the crowd to stay to what me on the drag bike. I got to the bleach box and was shaking by this time, trying to remember what I was told. Kev started me up and I tipped the bike to one side, put the brake on, and cracked open the throttle. The burnout on one of these machines is phenomenal and I would have been happy with that, but Chris beckoned me out. I tried to drive out of the burnout, which in 5th gear, is not a good idea.
I don’t remember too much about any more of that, apart from shutting off the bike at the top, and being greeted to a round of applause from the guys who were waiting to be towed back down.
One thing I will say to anyone, bearing in mind this was a normally aspirated run, no one will ever understand the force of that launch, it was not expected at all.
After my run, I quizzed Kev, Ken and others that they never told me about this big red light that had come on. I thought I had done some damage. During the race I was going to punch the gears to 5th and cut the engine, when I realized I was still in 1st gear and that was the shift light. I short shifted a couple more and it flew! What an incredibly feeling. doh! As Kev said, "like it never happened to us ". ( You can find the video on you tube, just type in lizz mccarthy......!!
I had just made my first run on a Funny Bike, first time with slick, bars or anything with that much power and I ran a 9.1 at 142mph!!!!
The rest they say is history. I bought a rolling chassis, and was then offered to borrow one by John Austin, who had bought this one off Kev a couple of years previously. All we needed to do was put an engine in it. Then Kev donated an engine to me. The nitrous was all plumbed in, and I managed to secure some sponsorship from some amazing people - Steve at Motorshack, John Hall at Stamford Speed shop, Rich at Stovepuppet, Juke at Blackline Fever and Si at Mitcheville Hotrods – who is still waiting for my bike bodywork to paint. I could not have done any of this without them and would like to thank them so much. I appear to have found the class that I am happy in, slick and bars. I simply do not like big wheelies!
Unfortunately, I spent the whole of 2010 having disaster after disaster, and not really getting up the track. I could have so easily just given up and thrown the towel in but I had so much help, encouragement and advise from Kev’s Crew, Chief Chris, racers and engineers alike that it kept me going. Gippy,Nigel, Dave Branch and Nick Holland alongside my amazing crew who were also on a learning curve, Minx, Jemma, Lisa and Graham, spent much of one evening until about midnight lapping valves to get me back out the following day - Talk about a rookie learning curve!
My last run of the year was a 1.17 60ft an 8.90 second run on an obliterated motor! Would I do it all again? Damn right I would! The motor is at Nick’s at the moment, and all being well, will be out testing in March. Meanwhile, I am desperately seeking sponsorship. Help with entry fees and a nice hire company who may let me have a van for a few weekends in return for any promotion I can do for them.
Drag racing is not a hobby; it is a way of life in our household. Although the prize money is less than the entry fee, it’s very difficult to explain why we do it, But do it we do, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I just need some backing now, to help me stay on the track and get faster.
If there is anyone out there who would like to help support Lizz, please get in touch. She is now the only lady, full time, on a Competition bike in this country.
To see more and to get in touch with Lizz and her team, please visit www.nitrousjunkie.com
