Danika Hawco will showcase her need for speed on the world stage.
The 14-year-old Macgregor Collegiate Institute student is the only Junior Dragster Driver from Canada attending the 2024 Summit Super Series World Finals in Holly Springs, Mississippi, this week.
Danika will follow in the footsteps of her brother, Gavin and her father, Mike, who have also competed in the World Finals.
"It's kind of crazy because I've just been seeing my brother and dad going in the past, and it's kind of weird that I'm actually doing it this year," says Danika. "I'm hoping to have a great experience with my family and enjoy it."
Danika has been racing for six years, but this is her first year racing a 2010 KCS Junior Dragster. This new vehicle seems to have improved her performance on the track, enabling her to achieve the title of Track Champion at the Interlake Dragway in Gimli.
Proud father Mike Hawco says the family will maximize the experience, regardless of the outcome.
"We're going to hit Memphis for a couple of days to do some sightseeing, and then we're going to go to Holly Springs, where the main racing is. Then we've got a week booked in New Orleans again to go down and check out the Mardi Gras mall and stuff like that."
Danika loves the results, but her favourite part of being on track is the family aspect.
"In most sports, everyone is by themselves. But in racing, everyone's a family. We always help each other out, and half the time, we're working on other people's cars because we want to win the race on the track and not because the other car is broken."
While in the hallways and classrooms, Danika says her classmates have congratulated her even if they don't fully understand what she has accomplished.
"Most don't get the severity of going to the World Finals. They think it's really cool, but they don't really get how big it is," she laughs. "I am ecstatic and quite nervous to go."
The 2024 Summit Super Series World Finals will take place from October 9 - 12.