By Jo Chiparo RACING TEEN: Falisha Hauck, a 16-year-old student at Linton-Stockton High School, has been drag racing since she was 8 years old. She began her career at ET Raceway in Newberry. [Click to enlarge]

"Racing is everything to me -- I eat, sleep and breathe it. I just love talking about it and can't wait until another race," exclaimed 16-year-old Linton teenager, Falisha Hauck, as she stood by her sleek 1998 Boulton Comp car.

Racing isn't something new in Falisha's life. She has been racing since she was 8 years old. Her first car was a Spitzer that she drove in one-eighth races in the junior dragsters at the ET Raceway in Newberry.

Throughout her racing career, Falisha has won numerous medals including her first championship in 2007 while driving a 2005 Outlaw Half-Scale.

With a new car every two years, Falisha has now graduated from juniors into the super pro class driving the Boulton Comp.

"It's a lot faster and definitely a big adrenaline rush," Falisha said. "I go 135 mph in one-eighth of a mile. It's exciting!"

She explained that there is more competition in the bigger car, and most of the drivers are older. Plus, being a female, she is a minority at the tracks.

"I think when they see me they think that I'm just another rookie and a girl, but when they see me racing more they will be receptive," Falisha said. "I will prove to them that I can do it. Most people don't know how seriously I take racing. I get a thrill every weekend when I race."

When asked if she was afraid the first time she drove the Boulton Comp, she said she was only worried about the power behind the wheel.

"I was just excited. It was quite a thrill."

Falisha added that she is pleased that her parents support her in her hobby.

"I want to give a big thanks to my dad, Gary Johnson, for helping me into this sport," Falisha said. "I was first introduced to racing while watching him race."

Falisha says her mother, Kristie (Hauck) Brown, was nervous about it at first but is now more relaxed when visiting the track.

Johnson explained that racing is an expensive sport. Race cars run from $20,000 to $50,000 and methanol gas is $6 a gallon. In a normal pass around the track, Johnson said Falisha's car uses two and one-half gallons.

Johnson added that Falisha has always been a great help by maintaining her cars. He said he never had to worry about the car's oil supply because she watched when it needed to be changed and would change it herself.

Even though she loves racing, Falisha has other priorities. She is an honor student at Linton-Stockton High School, captain of the junior varsity dance team, head color guard captain, and a member of the band.

"I also try to make time for my friends," she added.

For the future, Falisha says she wants to continue to race and hopes to get a sponsorship. However, following high school graduation, she plans to attend Lincoln College and pursue a nursing career.