Throw a challenge the way of the multi-talented Amber Anderson and it is more than likely that it will get met.
If being a lawyer and a qualified aircraft pilot is not a busy enough schedule, Anderson has also embarked on a career in the male-dominated arena of motor racing, a pursuit she is intent on conquering.
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Female driver Amber Anderson put critics to rest with a superb performance at Bathurst over the weekend of 20-22 February 2009 at Mt Panorama, Bathurst.
The 5th place was sweet success for Anderson returning from her stint in the USA to compete again in her own Porsche 944 Challenge Car. ”It’s great to be back! I was keen to see how I would perform after such a huge absence- the last time I drove this car was in March 2008″.
Putting the car back together after numerous engine issues and unsuccessful rebuilds in the previous season was an enormous job which couldn’t have completed without the expertise of leading GT Championship Team, Jocaro Motorsport- “the boys put in a massive effort in the short time available and we’re here- that’s all that matters”.
Amber later grinned “Seriously, this car had some serious issues last season- disappointingly we couldn’t find the gremlins in the car and we suffered to engine detonations in 2 race meetings in 2008- so I was almost expecting the same thing to happen again here..thankfully it all held together!”.
Excited to be back at the Mt Panorama circuit again after an absence of 2 years- Amber said she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face “I just love this place- coming over Skyline, through The Dipper and the Esses- that has to be the best part of the circuit; it’s what makes you want to be a racecar driver- if you could see me face through my helmet, I was just all smiles- awesome!”.
Anderson said that competing with a field of around 28 men didn’t faze her at all “oh, no- I think that they are fairly accepting of me now- I’ve only raced against men for several years, it honestly isn’t something that even crosses my mind. I just do the best that I can out there”.
Anderson’s last stint at the 2007 Bathurst 12 Hour in the all-female team Thrifty Celica is completely different to the rear-wheel drive, left-hand drive Porsche that she was driving this year, “I found I adapted back to the track fairly quickly- there are definitely some marked differences between the Celica and the Porsche and it was interesting to revisit my track maps from 2007 and note the differences- and the similarities between them. I pride myself on trying to adapt quickly to a car and I think that I managed this quite well this time around”.
So with a 5th place tucked under her arm going into the 2009 Porsche Challenge season, Amber is looking to the future- “I’m ready to step up to the next challenge, I’m in talks with Grand Am teams in the USA and also back here in Sportscars and V8 Supercars in Australia. I’m excited about what the future holds and I hope that I can really show what I’m made of as I step up to something with a bit more power soon”.
-release ends.
MEDIA RELEASE 24 November 2008
Former 944 Challenge driver, Anderson last drove the class winning Vectra to a class win at Phillip Island in 2007, “it was an unexpected development to be jumping back into the Vectra again” says Anderson, who has been focussing her sights on Australia’s Carrera Cup Series for 2009.
Anderson feels that the combination of her experience at her home track and the recent fickle Melbourne weather could be the secret to her success, “the Vectra seems to be at its strongest in greasy wet conditions- it’s a great handling car and the rain or drizzle always seems to equalise the field and it will give us a real chance at staying up the front”.
Anderson recently returned from a scoping trip to the USA regarding racing in 2009 “I had a great trip to the USA and we’re definitely reviewing options for one or two races in the future, it would certainly be a lot of fun”.
Anderson was also fortunate to spend time with female IndyCar pioneer, Lyn St James, “Lyn’s a great lady and I was fortunate to spend a lot of time with her and hear about how she made it as a female race car driver, she is really an inspiration and she gave me some great hints for racing- both on and off the track”.
Anderson is looking forward to putting Lyn’s advice to good use and getting back into the Vectra and giving it her best shot this weekend “I’m excited to be racing at Sandown and I’d like to thank Steve Briffa once again for making the invitation to me”.
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With the Bathurst 12 Hour rapidly approaching, it only took a five minute phone call from Amber to her 2007 Bathurst 12-Hour team mate, Danielle Argiro, to see if she was interested in joining up again for a couple of Production Car enduro events.
“Absolutely! And I’ve got a whole bunch of new sponsors” was Daniellle Argiro enthusiastic answer.
That was all it took to set the wheels in motion and for Steve Biffra to once again provide the female lineup with his spare and highly effective Holden Vectra. (more…)
Amber joined the Briffa Smash Repairs Team for Round 4 of the Shannons Australian Production Car Championships at Phillip Island.
When Amber Anderson received a phone call from Bathurst team mate Steve Briffa’s to drive his newly purchased Holden Vectra, Amber couldn’t say no! (Sponsored by Veganpet and Briffa Smash Repairs).
Competing in the Australian Production Car Championships (Class C and Trophy Class), the new Vectra was painted in exactly the same silver/blue livery as Steve Briffa’s winning SS Commodore. (more…)
Amber Anderson was as busy on the track as she was off, last weekend, at Sandown International Raceway, where she competed in a record field of Porsche 944 Challenge race cars.
If her performance, with a seriously under powed engine, is anything to go by, the male-dominated category had best get their act together before the next event.
Anderson put 17 other competitors behind her to finish 11th in the Sunday feature race. (more…)
The 2007 aPorschaPart 944 Challenge lands at Sandown International Raceway this weekend for the second round of the popular race category.
Nar Nar Goon’s Amber Anderson will once again climb aboard her regular Porsche 944 racer but this time she won’t be alone.
Anderson will front Sandown with additional support from two of her commercial partners and a blessing from a pair of Aliens – Petey and Jaydee.
Melbourne’s Affordable Airbrushing was asked by Momentum Animation Studios to create a design for Amber’s Porsche 944 Challenge car that would promote their 3D characters Petey and Jaydee. The result is both stunning and intimidating. (more…)