2014 was an impressive rookie year for 16 year old Taylor Hanus behind the wheel of her grandfather Jack Van De Voorde’s 496ci Super Pro ’69 Camaro…
Ever since Taylor was a little girl she preferred toy cars over dolls. Years of sitting in the stands with her late grandmother Mary, watching her grandfather “Papa Jack” and other family members race was surely a factor. She recalls sitting for hours betting with grandma and picking her favorite color car to win. Years later towards the end of the racing season, Taylor almost 14 now, was taken by her grandparents to see her first Jr. dragster race where she was able to sit in a few Jr. dragsters cockpits and dream what it would be like to race one. That dream started to become a reality with a surprise on Taylor’s 14th birthday in December. Papa Jack and Taylor’s father Charlie surprised Taylor with a gift to an all day Jr. dragster lesson in February at Doug Foley’s Drag Racing School in Florida! Taylor will never forget the valuable lessons taught and most of all learning to drive Doug Foley’s sons Jr. Dragster! Next up was purchasing a 7.90 Jr. dragster for Taylor. She then competed for two years with the Jr. dragster learning to cut a light and be consistent in everything she did. But now having being bit by the racing bug, she had an itch for “Papa Jack’s Camaro which he hadn’t raced personally since 2010. With Taylor now 16 years old, the decision was made to move up and race the Camaro! Under the watchful eye and guidance of Papa Jack who himself had been racing competitively since the ‘60’s, Taylor was given the opportunity to become the youngest driver in the Super Pro class at her home track Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. Taylor had a remarkable rookie year running consistent 10’s and by the end of the season had set her personal best of [email protected]! She was known for her perfect burnouts and reaction times that left even the seasoned racers in awe!
As the 2015 season is near,Taylor now 17 years old, looks to get into the 8’s and dedicates the upcoming season to her beloved grandmother Mary who recently passed away. Mary along with her husband Jack were with Taylor at every race and she will be greatly missed cheering on Taylor but still will be there in spirit.
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