Rodger Weste is a local man who has four years of drag racing experience under his belt.

He can also add an impressive trophy to a list of achievements, not only as racer but as an advocate for motor sport across South Australia.

Weste won the Super Street Class at the Steel City Drag Club meeting in Whyalla two weekends ago.

Driving in an orange Ford Falcon XT ute, named the Big O, with a 429 cubic-inch big block motor, Weste set himself a challenging goal of beating 7.80 seconds – which he did by just three-hundredths of a second.

“It was excellent to finally win in Whyalla,” he said, “I knew I had won when I saw my daughter, Rachel, jumping up and down at the end of the track.”

Rachel and Weste’s wife, Ros, who make up the Big O pit crew, are a team of two who make sure the car is performing at its best.

Weste’s latest success has come on the back of many races which have taken place around Australia in places such as Alice Springs, Mildura and Coonawarra where he says he has made many friends.

“If you asked me back then, before I started racing, if I would be lucky enough to meet people from all over Australia, I would have never believed it. I have been surprised by all the nice people we have met,” he said.

Weste and his family participate in meetings at the Port Pirie Dirt Circuit club, but they have to travel to Whyalla for the drag races because it is the only place in South Australia with a suitable track.

He is also involved in the Northern Drag and Motorsport Association which promotes motor sport in safe, controlled environments with events such as Race your Mates and which he says “gets kids off the streets.”

He shares the views of many country fans who would like to see a motor sports complex built in the Mid North.

“We would like to see the best racers from everywhere come up and race,” he said.

But for now, Weste aims to get his time back down to about 7.70 seconds and is working on a new car – a Ford Capri with a 600-horsepower engine.

Upcoming events for the association include next weekend’s car show in Port Augusta which is expected to see Port Pirie drivers attend.