LOCAL WOMAN HOPES TO DRIVE AT SCOTIA SPEED WORLD

Savannah Cruickshank's in the driver's seat. 

On May 18, Hants Border's 17 year old Savannah Cruickshank hopes to qualify to race at Scotia Speed World near Halifax International Airport.


Currently Emily Meehan of Rawdon is the only woman racing there. Savannah is stepping outside the boundaries of what most girls do. Readers of the former NEWS & VIEWS will remember her as the only girl playing in an all-boys hockey league a few years ago.

Why is she doing this? "It's cool." And her friends think it is cool too.

Jeff and Savannah.

Her father Jeff Cruickshank has been racing for 20 years. His concern is that Savannah is not "cool" but comfortable racing.

Jeff's father and her grandfather Bob Cruickshank of Mount Denson is crew. And Matthew, in another branch of the Cruickshank family, also races. Race is in their blood.

Savannah began practising last fall. She and Jeff rented the track four times. They hope to practise there this week.

How does Savannah benefit from racing? It's fun. And she is one of the few young adults learning to drive a standard shift vehicle.

The first race of the season is May 18. Sixteen cars will race for 25 laps. A race lasts for 7 to 10 minutes. Cars average 70 mph or 65 kph. The track is uphill.  Spectators will be present.

Both race cars were built in a South Carolina factory and have motorcycle engines.
 Savannah has a  5/8 version of a 1937 Ford sedan.  

Jeff's is a 5/8 1934 Ford coup.