Kelly Bettes
Drag racing // Victoria, Australia
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Kelly Bettes blazed through Australian drag racing from Junior Dragsters to becoming the first female ANDRA Modified champion in 2010, then dominated Top Fuel with record-breaking runs.
Kelly's Sponsors:
They, along with Junior Dragster has taught me all things about racing—reaction times, speed, tyre shake, wheel spin, a car moving around and when to lift!
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FULL BIO: Kelly Bettes
Australia’s Kelly Bettes made history as the first female ANDRA Modified Dragster champion before blazing into Top Fuel racing with record-breaking performances that established her as the fastest woman in Australian drag racing.
EARLY YEARS
Born in Victoria, Australia, Kelly grew up in a family where drag racing wasn’t just a hobby—it was a way of life. Her parents Steve and Jenny were deeply embedded in the sport’s administration and management, while her brother Scott shared the track with her from the beginning. At age 10, Kelly climbed into her first Junior Dragster in 1996, racing alongside Scott and family friend Damien in what would become the foundation of her motorsports education. The family eventually relocated to Queensland, where their racing dynasty continued to flourish.
OTHER INTERESTS
Information about Kelly’s interests outside motorsports remains private.
EARLY SUCCESS
Kelly’s methodical progression through drag racing categories showcased both talent and patience. After mastering the fundamentals in Junior Dragsters, she moved up to Modified Dragster competition where she made history in 2010 by becoming the first female to capture the ANDRA Modified title. This groundbreaking achievement established her as a serious contender and opened doors to higher levels of competition. By 2013, she had advanced to Jett Racing’s six-second turbo Datsun ute, honing skills that would prove invaluable when she eventually stepped into the elite world of Top Fuel racing.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2010: First female winner of the ANDRA Modified Dragster title[1][2].
- 2018: First Top Fuel event win at Sydney Dragway with a record 3.83-second pass at 308 mph for 1000 feet, marking Australia’s quickest overall pass[1][2].
- 2018: Multiple Top Fuel victories in rookie season, including personal best 4.58 seconds at Darwin Nitro Up North event[3].
INSPIRATIONS
Kelly’s racing foundation was built entirely within her family circle, with parents Steve and Jenny providing unwavering support and brother Scott serving as both competitor and teammate. As she reflected, “Mum and Dad have been involved 100 per cent all the way throughout my racing.” Family friend Damien also played a crucial mentoring role during her formative Junior Dragster years, helping create the supportive environment that shaped her racing philosophy and skills[1][2].
REPUTATION
Kelly has earned recognition as Australia’s quickest female Top Fuel drag racer and arguably the fastest woman in Australian drag racing overall. Her reputation centers on exceptional reaction times and expert car control—skills she credits to her comprehensive experience across multiple racing categories. “They, along with Junior Dragster has taught me all things about racing—reaction times, speed, tyre shake, wheel spin, a car moving around and when to lift!” she explained. The drag racing community regards her as a barrier-breaking talent who has earned respect through consistent performance rather than novelty, with media consistently highlighting her record-breaking achievements and rapid ascension through Top Fuel ranks[1][2].
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
Current information about Kelly’s racing plans beyond 2018 is not publicly available.
References:
Street Machine interview, May 2018
ANDRA official website interview and article, 2018
YouTube interview highlighting championship win and Top Fuel success
Driven Women Magazine, 2018 feature
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