Fitness Journal October 2016

Feeling the
Photos by Jeremy Ward | shot360.co.nz
need for speed
BY LISA POTTER
Hamilton teenager Tiania
Wallbank isn’t old enough
for her driver’s licence yet,
but she spends every spare
moment behind the wheel
of her mini stock, competing
at Huntly Speedway.
And while she may not cross the line
first at every event, she is highly
regarded in the sport for her
sportsmanship and pure love of speedway.
Tiania Wallbank’s home-away-fromhome
is where she chooses to spend every
possible moment; whether competing,
spectating or helping upkeep the facilities.
The 16-year-old is a familiar face at
Huntly Speedway, where she competes
her mini stock and has future plans to
step up and race stock cars.
The competitive teenager is following
in the footsteps of her parents and
grandfather, and most of her favourite
childhood memories revolve around the
speedway.
“My dad and mum race here, my
grandfather raced here when the track
was first built, and all three of my sisters
have competed. In fact, my youngest sister
was almost born in the control room.”
The timing of those contractions are
still written on the wall of the control
tower- where Tiania’s mum is usually
found officiating on race days.
“It is very much a family sport in every
meaning of the word; first because it’s
the sport my entire family are involved
in and passionate about, and secondly
because all of the people at Huntly Speedway
I basically regard as my extended
family.”
While being first through the
chequered flag is obviously a goal, for
Tiania, participating in the sport is all the
reward she needs.
“I love every moment of it. I love getting
ready and before the race, lining up,
competing, and every moment after the
race, as well as the social aspect with all
the people involved.”
Having first got behind the wheel
(officially) aged 12, Tiania proudly races
her blue mini stock, built and maintained
by her grandfather.
“All I have ever wanted is to race,”
she says. “I don’t go to get the chequered
flag, I go to enjoy myself. It’s granddad’s
night out otherwise he sits at home and
I go because my family watches and it’s
something we are all involved in and enjoy.
“My dad and mum race
here, my grandfather raced
here when the track was
first built, and all three of
my sisters have competed.
In fact, my youngest sister
was almost born in the
control room.”
“I’m not the best racer out there but I
always strive to do my best.”
Tiania is well known in the sport,
respected for her healthy attitude, good
sportsmanship and her sense of humour.
She has been nominated and awarded
‘personality of the pits’ and even when
not competing, she and her family are
often at the grounds, helping paint or do
any other jobs on the ‘to do’ list. Tiania
6 FITNESS JOURNAL OCTOBER 2016
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