Dina Parise is a forty-year-old married woman, former figure skater, hairdresser and drag racer. She has always had an interest in racing, Formula 1, NASCAR, you name it. Oddly enough, she never watched drag racing until she met her husband Andrew ten years ago.
After watching him race, she decided to strap in and give it a try for herself. She went to Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School and got her NHRA License. Now Dina bracket races the Camaro that she and her husband built together.
Along with racing cars, Dina also raises donations to help fund research into the cause, treatment, and cure of multiple sclerosis. At each track, she raises donations and gives people making donations a band of hope to show their support.
Q: How did you get into drag racing?
A: I always had an interest in motor sports. My husband has been drag racing for years. I have been crewing for him for the last few years. I finally decided that crewing was not enough. Being a competitive person, I think that got the best of me! As a former skater for the “Ice Capades,” I also believe that I was looking for the next big challenge in my life. With Andrew’s full support, I went to Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School (at the age of thirty-nine) and got my NHRA license. By the way, I highly recommend his school. Can’t say enough about Frank and his staff.
Q: Tell us a little bit about what you race.
A: I now bracket race the car Andrew had been racing for the last few years. We built this car together from the ground up. Our car is a beautiful 1967 Chevy Camaro with a Blown 540 ci motor, 1000 horse power. A 1071 BDS Blower. 1150 Holley Dominator carburetors and a power glide transmission. A Ford Custom nine-inch rear end. It runs on 114 octane fuel. It is all original steel except for the hood. So, the body is in its original state. We even kept the vinyl top! It is street legal, but we never drive it on the street.
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