'Auntie' to watch Natasha race

One of the spectators at today's Independence Weekend of Speed at the Dover track in St. Ann will be Brenda Chang, aunt of ATL-sponsored driver Natasha Chang who will be competing in the Modified Production Class One (MP1) category.

Brenda, who is the sister of Natasha's father Roger, flew in from Florida, USA, for Independence celebrations, with the Dover a must on her itinerary. It will be her first time seeing her niece race professionally. Chang's father and aunt were present at Thursday's unveiling of the vehicle, and Brenda was hard-pressed to contain her excitement.

"I've heard so much about her coming in second, third, sometimes even fourth in a predominantly male field and I'm just so excited for her. Of course I'm a little worried because it's racing, but I'm very excited. I can't wait to see her on Sunday. I'm so proud of her," she told Automotives.

Brenda also shared that Natasha's grandfather Ronald Chang (her father) was a very successful race driver in the 1960s. "I think that's where she got her passion for cars and racing, and he was also quite successful, way back when," Brenda said.

Standing 5ft 2 inches tall and weighing just "a little over 100 pounds" by her admission, makes Natasha 'Chiney Dolly' Chang an ideal candidate for motor racing, a sport in which every ounce of weight in and on the car is of critical importance.

After honing her skills at go-karting Chang has developed into a very competent rally and circuit racing driver, one of the most rounded women on the local racing circuit. As marketing coordinator with ATL Motors, she is fortunate to have a job which keeps her in touch and in tune with motor vehicles. It has also landed her the support of the company which has spent an undisclosed sum, suspected to run into millions of dollars, to rebuild the car, which is owned by the driver.

- C.S.