Billy ‘the Kid’ Kuhn recently broke through to take out not only the Whyalla Steel City Club Junior Dragster Championship, but also the Club’s highest championship accolade, the Charlie Dennis Trophy.
The 12-year-old is the first ever Junior Dragster competitor to claim the prestigious Charlie Dennis Trophy.
While the Stirling North (SA) racer started competing in 2018, he has been around the sport for much longer than that.
“When I was just six days old, mum and dad took me to the Coonawarra Tri Series event, so I guess I had no choice in the matter – I have always loved cars and loud noises,” the Year 7 student said.
Kuhn lifted both the Junior Dragster trophy and the Charlie Dennis Award at Steel City Raceway on Sunday the 25th of April following an action-packed weekend of racing at the Whyalla facility which included back-to-back club championship rounds.
“I was speechless to get the win but very happy with my racing and achievements this season. I totally did not expect it and it is important to me as I am the first Junior Dragster racer to win the overall Charlie Dennis Trophy in history,” Kuhn said.
“Heading into the weekend I had no idea if I could win it and as we were starting the weekend with a new engine combination and new mechanic, we had no expectations of how the weekend would go. I just raced the best I could all weekend.
“In round three held on the Saturday I won the final against current Australian Junior Dragster Champion Sarah Donnelly, so that was really fantastic. It was also my first event win, so that was really great.
“In Sunday’s round four – the final round of our championship season – it was another good day for me but unfortunately I did not take any wins that day.
“The back-to-back events was a really great way to finish off our season at Whyalla’s Steel City Raceway and I really enjoyed it.”
Following his recent victories, Kuhn has some big plans for the future.
“So far I have raced at Whyalla and Mildura’s Sunset Strip and I have really liked them both, they are good tracks with good people and great country fun and hospitality,” he said.
“I would like to venture out and compete at more Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series rounds and gain more experience and knowledge with my racing.
“My long-term goal is to race my dad’s Super Sedan EK ‘The Dog’ Holden Ute, and eventually his Supercharged Outlaws 1959 Corvette!
“In the meantime, I would love to see more Junior Dragsters coming to Whyalla to race. I really love the bracket – it is great fun that the whole family can get involved in and getting to compete at such a young age in a cool car is really great, as is being able to get to know other Junior Dragster racers while spending time with my extended drag racing family.
“I would like to thank my dad Mark and my mum Lia for all of their support, as well as my crew, my club (Whyalla’s Steel City Drag Club), and my sponsors Max Cranes, Slape Crash Repairs, Custom Kitchens and FX Signs.
“I would also like to thank all of the volunteers at the Steel City Raceway for making it possible for me to race and making the track safe for everyone to compete.
“It has been a fantastic 2020/21 race season and I look forward to the future and what it will bring for me as a drag racer.”
For further information on the Steel City Drag Club as well as to stay up to date with future drag racing dates, visit www.steelcitydrags.com
For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au