By Renee Wood
The Simpson sisters from Millgrove have their minds and engines set on the Australian and Victorian Sprint Titles, with the two big meets back to back this April at Alexandra Speedway.
14 year old Bree Simpson is eager to get through to the A main in the SSA National Junior Sedan Title for her first chance at an Australian title this weekend 8-10 April.
While 12 year old Tamika is newer to racing and will be ticking off two milestones competing in the SSA Junior Sedan Victorian Title and Aussie title for the first time.
The fourth generation speedway racers will be competing side by side, with sibling rivalry high between the girls.
A podium finish is always the goal but for Tamika she said beating her sister and not wrecking the car will be her main aim.
Bree’s determined to make it through the B main heats into the A main but isn’t shying away from how difficult it will be.
“You have to finish top three to make the A meet but we’ll give it a crack,” Bree said.
“It’s really hard just one of us getting on the podium. If we both want to be A 1 then we’ve got to beat 78 other people.”
The girls have grown up watching dad Troy Simpson compete in the sprints and his state title win in Swan Hill was a highlight for the family.
Bree was determined to hit the track from an early age and competed for the first time just a week after turning 10.
“I started off pretty slow, and then we’ve worked on it each year and aiming for the number one but still haven’t got it,” Bree said.
For Tamika, her love for the sport was a slow burn but that quickly turned around after she got behind the wheel.
“I want to go into the compacts or the ladies standards,” Tamika said.
The girls hope to win a title and repay the favour to dad Troy, who works tirelessly to get their cars ready for their meets.
The Victorian titles will be held on the Easter long weekend and Bree’s looking a hot contender after recently finishing second in the Tasmanian title in February.
This will be Bree’s third shot at a Victorian title and she has also competed in two South Australian and one in New South Wales.
Tamika also raced for the Tassie title coming eleventh.
Mum Nicole said it’s a nervous affair when the two are racing together.
“I’m not really that nervous until they’re racing side by side that’s difficult to watch. You just don’t want them to take one another,” Nicole said.
“Especially at Tassie on the second heat we were starting right next to each other in the front row and Tamika gave me a bit of a hit and I rid her wheel,” Bree said.
One of the tough sides to auto sports is the demanding costs, including rising fuel prices, but Nicole said their grateful for the many local sponsors who help keep their passion alive.
Bree said she hopes to be a leading sprint car driver one day like her idol and Tamika’s interested in racing in the compacts, until then the sisters will be side by side standing out in a male dominated sport.
“It’s just fun meeting new people, but then also once you get up there it’s a big thing getting one of the titles and it eagers you on to keep going,” Bree said.
