The world’s fastest woman on four wheels can’t wait to get to New Zealand for next month’s CRC Speedshow.
American Jessi Combs (above) had only dreamed of visiting this country – until her invitation as a CRC Industries ambassador arrived in the mail.
Combs will host the event’s Women in Motorsport display, a favourite cause for the motorsport go-getter born in Rapid City, South Dakota.
“My whole life I’ve heard and read great things about New Zealand, and I am beyond grateful that my relationship with CRC helps make those dreams come true,” she said.
“It’s wonderful to be involved in an event that highlights a huge part of my personal mission to encourage women into motorsports.
“It is always empowering to be surrounded by other women who are the ‘real deal’ – those who are out there building their own cars and bikes, getting behind the wheel, and making a name for themselves in the industry.”
Combs is an adventurous spirit who learned to love speed at a young age, both in on- and off-road events. She has a degree in Custom Automotive Fabrication, one of the highlights of which was building a car from the ground up for the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) annual show in Las Vegas.
Since then she has shown her creative skills on TV shows such as All Girls Garage, Mythbusters and Overhaulin’. Two years ago she became the world’s fastest women on four wheels by piloting the jet-powered ‘North American Eagle’ car to a top speed of 708km/h on a lake bed in Oregon.
CRC Speedshow managing director Ross Prevette says Combs is the ultimate international visitor to the 2015 event. “Her long list of impressive achievements speak for themselves, and the timing is perfect with our Women in Motorsport display,” he said.
“I’m sure Jessi will inspire motoring professionals, and perhaps many others who hadn’t seriously considered motorsport as a career.”
Combs will also judge the Teng Tools Grand National Rod and Custom Show, featuring nearly 50 of NZ’s best custom vehicles. “With her priceless amount of knowledge in the custom car field, our entrants now have a rare opportunity to impress one of the world’s best,” said Prevette.
• The world land speed record for a woman is 824km/h. It was set in 1976 by American movie stunt specialist Kitty O’Neil in a three-wheeled jet-powered car.