Alexander Skinner
Staff Writer
Smith in black VW Jetta GLX VR6
Pepperdine junior Alissa Smith, is busy juggling a double life. When she isn’t hard at work in school, as a creative writing and philosophy double major, she’s hitting the asphalt as Pepperdine’s resident drag racer.
No, that wasn’t a typo. Smith is and has been a drag racer for four years and can attribute her interest in the sport from her father and brother.
“I’ve always been around cars my whole life,” admits Smith. “We’re kind of what I call a ‘car family’—we fix all of our own cars.”
Once in high school, her brother began entering the racing scene and it wasn’t uncommon for a group of sport and import cars to be sitting in front of the Smith’s Colorado home. At 16, Smith was given what every 16-year-old longs for: their own car. From then on, drag racing seemed second nature.
Getting started, however, did have its complications. “The biggest challenge has always been the financial issue,” said Smith. “It doesn’t help that I chose to go with a Volkswagon.”
Smith’s 1996 Volkswagon Jetta, which she affectionately calls “James,” suffers from the fact that it isn’t the popular drag racing choice. More recognizable import models like the Honda Civic or Acura have a vast array of parts available to owners wanting to “trick-out” their cars.
Smith in black VW Jetta GLX VR6
The Volkwagon parts, however, are obtainable, but with a much higher price tag, forcing Smith to turn to the most familiar means. Building the car herself.
“When you start out small […], you don’t have the option of sponsors who will pay to fix up your car,” explained Smith. She began adding little things like performance wheels and a cold air intake system (used to decrease the temperature to help the engine run) until she reached the full turbo system that currently resides in “James.”
“She spent her own money on [her car] and she learned a lot,” said her father, Mark Smith. “It helped her learn how to do it right, because if she didn’t she wouldn’t have a car to drive. It helped her build confidence and to learn some responsibility.”
Additionally, her interest in cars gave her an opportunity to become closer to both of the men in her family.
“Cars were the one thing that I knew my brother was passionate about,” says Smith, recalling earlier times when she and her brother wouldn’t get along. “[I]t gave me an avenue to relate to him.”
The same was true of her time with her father. As a pilot, his excursions took him away from his family for days, even weeks. Working on her car gave Smith a chance to spend some quality time with her dad.
“At the time, I wasn’t able to talk to her as openly as I could her brother,” Smith’s father said. “It gave us a common thread.”
“I loved that,” remarked Smith.
Smith’s VW Jetta GLX VR6
Smith participates in E.T. Bracket Racing (E.T. stands for “Elapsed Time.”) In this style of racing, the racer drives in a set of qualifying runs to determine the fastest time attainable by his vehicle. This time, labeled as the “dial-in time,” is used as a handicap against the other racers in order to determine who gets the “head start” and by how much.
Once paired with a competitor, each racer attempts to achieve their “dial-in time” without going faster, also known as “breaking out.” If a racer “breaks out” they are disqualified.
The car that crosses the finish line first without driving faster than their pre-determined time is declared the winner.
If all of that isn’t stressful enough, Smith has to compete against more than just other cars.
“People don’t always take me seriously simply because I’m female,” said Smith. “They call it ‘cute,’ or they imply that my dad must have done all the work.”
“One time I was with her,” recalled Smith’s father, “we were in the lane standing by her car and the drivers would gravitate to me asking questions. ‘Ask her,’ I said, ‘it’s her car.’ It was a real eye opener for them to see that a girl could speak their language.”
Smith’s VW Jetta GLX VR6
Regardless, Smith has completed in numerous racing events, most of them at the Bandimere Speedway in Colorado, and was recently awarded runner-up in a Volkswagon show and race this past August. But where does Smith want to go with her skill?
“I’d love to compete on a higher level, start winning some races of substance,” she revealed, further detailing her interest to race on the Number One Parts Inc. (NOPI) circuit once she’s able to invest a bit more money in a new car.
Does that mean she’s ready to let go of “James?”
“No, of course not. There will always be a special place for him.”
Five Professional Racing Classes:
1. Top Fuel
2. Funny Car
3. Pro Modified
4. Pro Stock
5. Pro Stock Bike
12-02-2006