By YASEMIN TALAT
HOPPERS Crossing professional drag racer Darren Parker has raced to the top and conquered his dream of becoming an Australian Champion.
Star met Mr Parker earlier this year as he prepared for one of six major races of the season.
And two weeks ago after winning the final round in his category of the Australian National Drag Racing Association Championship season and having scored enough points to pass the elimination round, Mr Parker was named the Australian Champion of his class.
“It is a dream come true,” Mr Parker said.
“I’ve been racing for the Australian Championships since 2004.”
The sheer dedication and hard work paid off for Mr Parker who is a self-confessed race addict.
Once a street racer, Mr Parker said racing on the street was stupid.
When he realised the danger of street racing he took to different roads and continued to enjoy his need for speed at a safer environment at Calder Park Raceway.
“It’s a safe environment, its controlled and you get a time card to show how fast your car is and that was much better than racing on the street,” Mr Parker said.
His passion was ignited and Mr Parker decided he wanted to take it to the next level, as a professional drag racer.
“It’s my sport and my hobby,” he said.
He said it was the adrenaline and speed that had him hooked.
“I’m doing almost 300 km per hour at the finish line, so it’s a pretty big adrenaline rush.”
Mr Parker said he hoped to continue to follow the championship next year and move up a class with his current car, a 2010 Pontiac GXP from America, which he had especially made for himself.
