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Victorian-born, Queensland-based Kelly Bettes made history in 2018 when she became the first female driver to win an Australian Top Fuel Championship—and she did it in her rookie season.

EARLY YEARS

Racing is in Kelly Bettes’ DNA. Her parents, Jenny and Steve Bettes, have long been involved in drag racing administration and management, so it was only a matter of time before their kids caught the bug. Kelly started competing in Junior Dragsters at age 10, following her brother Scott into the sport. Before that? Ballet. But once a Junior Dragster came into the family, tutus didn’t stand a chance. Racing won.

The Bettes family became synonymous with Australian drag racing, with Kelly and Scott both making names for themselves on the strip. Growing up around the sport gave Kelly an edge—she understood the culture, the competition, and what it took to succeed long before she ever climbed into a Top Fuel dragster.

OTHER INTERESTS

Kelly dabbled in ballet as a kid, but let’s be real—it didn’t last long. Once drag racing entered the picture, there was no turning back. These days, her life revolves around the track, her team, and chasing records. If she has hobbies outside of racing, she’s keeping them to herself.

EARLY SUCCESS

Kelly’s first major win came in 1998 when she claimed the Junior Dragster championship[1]. By the time she was 22, she’d bought her own Modified dragster and was competing at a higher level. In 2010, she became the first female to win the ANDRA Modified Championship[2]—a breakthrough moment that signaled she wasn’t just playing around. She was here to win.

Her success in Modified racing opened doors, and soon she was making waves in Sport Compact drag racing aboard the Jett Racing Pro Compact machine. She even took her talents international, making it to the finals at the World Sport Compact Finals in Orlando, Florida, in 2018[3]. By then, Kelly had already proven she could compete with anyone, anywhere.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 1998: Won Junior Dragster Championship[4].
• 2010: Became the first female to win the ANDRA Modified Championship[5].
• 2017: Set the quickest and fastest run by a female driver in Australian history over 1,000 feet at Willowbank Raceway—4.66 seconds at 326 mph[6].
• 2018: Signed with Lamattina Top Fuel Racing and debuted the Fuchs Top Fuel dragster at Nitro Up North[7].
• 2018: Won her first Top Fuel event at Santo’s Summer Thunder in her rookie season[8].
• 2018: Won the 400 Thunder Top Fuel Championship, becoming the first female to win a professional drag racing championship in Australia[9].
• 2018: Competed in the finals at the World Sport Compact Finals in Orlando, Florida[10].
• Became the only female driver to have won three Australian drag racing championships across different categories[11].

INSPIRATIONS

Kelly’s greatest inspiration came from within her own family. Watching her parents work behind the scenes in drag racing and seeing her brother Scott compete fueled her passion from a young age. The Bettes family made racing a way of life, and Kelly absorbed every bit of it. She’s also been mentored by multiple Australian Top Fuel Champion Phil Lamattina and NHRA star Richie Crampton since joining Lamattina Top Fuel Racing[12]—two legends who helped shape her approach to the sport at its highest level.

REPUTATION

Kelly Bettes is widely regarded as one of the most talented and fearless drivers in Australian drag racing. She’s not just a trailblazer because she’s female—she’s a trailblazer because she wins. Her 2018 Top Fuel Championship wasn’t a fluke; it was the result of skill, determination, and an ability to handle a 10,000-horsepower machine with precision and guts. She’s set records, broken barriers, and earned the respect of competitors and fans alike.

Known for her calm demeanor and sharp focus, Kelly doesn’t let the noise distract her. She’s humble in victory and relentless in competition. The fact that she’s the only female to have won three Australian drag racing championships across different categories speaks volumes—she’s not just good in one discipline; she’s dominant wherever she competes. Australia has a new Queen of Speed, and her name is Kelly Bettes[13].

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Information about Kelly Bettes’ specific future goals beyond 2025 is not available in the provided research.

REFERENCES

Last track record from 1985 falls – Willowbank Raceway
Australian Top Fuel Racer Kelly Bettes – Interview – Street Machine
Aussie Top Fuel Champ Kelly Bettes tests 4000hp Pro Mod Mustang
Kelly Bettes: The fastest woman on the drag strip – Driven Women
AUSTRALIAS FASTEST FEMALE TOP FUEL DRAGSTER RACER
First female Top Fuel champion crowned at Winternationals for LTFR
Kelly Bettes New LTFR Top Fuel Driver – ANDRA
Bettes Thunders to convincing first victory – IHRA Australia
Kelly Bettes Aussie top fuel champion – interview – Street Machine
Bettes becomes first female Pro Aussie drag racing champ
Kelly Bettes On Family, Junior Dragsters and Advice – ANDRA
VIDEO – Kelly Bettes Is Australia’s New Queen of Speed