Lady power on Dover track

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

In one of his popular songs Do Sup'm, top-flight deejay Konshens says "mi nuh frighten fe nobody, but we respect everybody, nuh bwoy nuh badda dan we". This is the same tune Natasha Chang seems to be singing whenever she hits the track at the Dover Raceway.

There isn't a driver on the grid whom she fears. A graduate of St Andrew High School, the petite Chang has a point to prove - that women can be among the best in the sport.

At the Easter Monday race meet she took on her male counterparts, challenging and overtaking them in the sharp corners and chicanes. It didn't matter where on the track she caught up with the men, Chang just took the fight to them.

"I don't know where it comes from, but I just don't have any fear," said Chang, who competes with a 1,600cc Honda Civic decorated in the colours of her sponsors, ATL. "Some people described me as 'madman'," she jokingly said.

high ambitions

Chang believes her driving skills were sharpened after a short stint in go-kart racing. She is hoping to one day represent women and Jamaica in the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship. "Go-karting taught me a lot," Chang said. While her small frame has fooled many into believing that she could have been in her early teens, Chang chuckled as she said "I'm in my mid-20s".

President of the Jamaica Race Drivers Club (JRDC), Christopher McFarlane, described Chang's performance at the Easter Monday race meet as being more aggressive than in 2012. "She is more fearless than last year. We have a few more girls coming, so Dover will be exciting," said McFarlane.

Veteran circuit racer David Summerbell, has also described Chang as one of the most aggressive female drivers to compete at Dover. "She has potential and, with time, she will excel," Summerbell said.

Chang is one of two female drivers currently competing at Dover. The other is Samantha Summerbell, who has been improving. Like Chang, young Summerbell started out in go-karting and believes there is a thing or two she can learn from Chang.

A lower sixth-form student at Hillel High, Summerbell is aspiring to one day race in the Formula One series.