A few years ago, I saw Shawna Woudstra cut a perfect light before blasting down the quarter-mile drag strip. A perfect light is one of the holy grails in drag racing. As the amber lights blink down in succession on the starting line “Christmas Tree,” the driver’s timing to accelerate is flawless — a .000-second reaction time between the final amber light and the green light that starts the race.
When I spoke with Woudstra about that moment, her response was unexpected.
“I actually had four perfect lights just last season alone!” said Woudstra, now 33 years old and a young veteran with 25 years of drag racing experience. “Call it luck or skill, it was pretty special.”
Based in Waterdown (ON), Woudstra began her racing career in a Junior Dragster before moving up to a succession of rear-engined dragsters. This season, she is dividing her time between racing and promoting the sport to a younger audience through her involvement with Fortinos supermarkets.
Since 2014, Fortinos has promoted racing with its Fuel for Kids program. This season, Woudstra is visiting schools across Southern Ontario and all 24 Fortinos locations to speak about her racing experiences. Fuel for Kids raises funds for children, supporting everything from new technology to upgraded playground structures.
“I’m super excited to officially be the driver for the Fuel for Kids program,” she said. “Students get a presentation to learn about racing, followed by a BBQ fundraiser at their local Fortinos store, where 100 percent of the proceeds go back to that store’s community.”
Woudstra’s parents, Dan and Brenda Woudstra, have been constants throughout her racing career, offering unwavering support. Every time she straps into a dragster capable of six-second runs at 200 mph, they are with her in spirit.
“Dad’s still the crew chief and head mechanic, and Mom’s the manager. She’s the organizer — always making sure we don’t forget a single part, and that we’re well fed. My boyfriend Neil has also become a big race fan over the last couple of years. He’s learned how to turn a wrench and is now part of the crew.”
Woudstra has come a long way since practicing in her Junior Dragster in a Burlington GO Train parking lot. Between racing, promoting the sport, and her full-time job as a 911 emergency communicator with Hamilton Police, her schedule is packed.
Her dragster competes in the Outlaw Fast 16 series, where she finished runner-up last season. She also races in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, attending about a dozen events each year.
Along with her own racing accomplishments, Woudstra is proud of her work inspiring future drivers. “I’m partnering with Fortinos to put on this incredible program,” she said. “Over the past decade, Fuel for Kids has raised over $250,000, strengthened community ties, and hopefully inspired a few future racers along the way.”
