WHETHER it be on the footie field or the race track, local Clarissa Mitchell has a need for speed.

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Clarissa and her brother Stephen Saunders are preparing to head across ‘The ditch’ to race in the ‘Xtreme Karts Speedway Showdown’ in Christchurch next month.

“Are we excited? You bet your damned life we are,” Clarissa exclaimed.

The brother and sister inherited their love of speedcar racing from their dad.

“ I first started as a passenger with my father at the tender age of 16,” Clarissa told News Of The Area.

“I’ve had the racing bug since I was small being constantly surrounded with racing activities, as dad got into it first.”

“It then turned into a family event with Dad as pit crew and Mum came along to look after all the kids.”

It was the start of a lifelong love affair with the sport, both brother and sister riding and racing since their teens.

The pair also work at the Hawks Nest Golf Club.

For those into the mechanics of their ride, it’s a Speedway Sidecar FZR 1045 CC Yamaha which runs on Methanol fuel and has no brakes.

The engine was built by nine-times Australian Champion Darrin Treloar.

“With our 2017 Aussie series completed, our full focus now turns to the ‘Xtreme Karts Showdown Across The Ditch Tour of New Zealand’ that will fire into life when the Aussies line up next to the Kiwis in the opening test match at Moore Park Speedway, Christchurch on 17 November,” Clarissa said.

To catch Clarissa and Stephen in action, head to the Pits Motorsport TV website http://www.thepitstv.co.nz/.

By Margie TIERNEY