Everything I know about racing I learned in one afternoon with Nicole Lyons, and I was surprised at how much that ended up to be. The technical areas aside, I think the most important aspect a driver must have is what I came away with understanding. You must have passion for your dreams so strong that nothing will come between you and what you were meant to do in this life. Some people have that intense motivation, Nicole Lyons does. In March when she raced her first pro 1/4 mile she proved it, and this is only the beginning.

Speaking of which, the beginning is a great place to start:
Nicole Lyons was still in a car seat the first time she went down the track. It was with her father, Jack Davis, who was a famous street racer. When the car came to a stop, 2 year old Nicole was cheering to go again. Within 5 years she was learning to drive herself to school.  Most young kids beg to just stay up late on school nights, but not Nicole, 'I remember I used to cry and cry when I couldn't go to the races with my dad'.
    

Nicole's father brought to life her passion for street racing. He taught her the technical knowledge and has given her a lifetime of inspiration necessary to become what she is today.  Nicole said of her race training, 'My school was basically my father'. There is no question that these early experiences and training are paying off. She is now one of the first African American women to make it this far in the National Hot Rod Association, (NHRA). These ground breaking efforts are not without its challenges and Nicole faces those head on. 'Some who haven't seen me on the track at events don't believe that I really go out there.  On the track it's not a gimmick, it's not a game.'

But after anyone sees her on the track they offer respect. As Nicole sees it, 'When someone proves themselves what can you really say to that?' 'It's like the saying, if you can't beat 'em joins 'em' and then give them the props they deserve'
    
Nicole has a great relationship with the cars she races, she builds them. The technical in's and outs of what makes these incredibly powerful machines go is one of Nicole's specialties.  Nicole also uses her vast technical knowledge to operate Cole Muscle Cars, a custom shop located in Nicole's hometown of Sylmar, California. Cole Muscle Cars specializes in complete custom race engines as well as high performance street engines.
Her goal, 'For everyone to have pro Cole muscle car in Pro Stock' With an accomplishment like this one she is well on her way. Nicole has built in her shop what Chevy Rumble magazine is claiming to be the highest horse power 565 single carb engine that they know of.  As Nicole say's 'it's pretty nice'.
    
I thought I would ask Nicole what she thinks of the new serge of young kids taking part in the illegal street scene. 'When we were street in the early 90's you didn't see that many accidents or people getting hurt' She adds, 'now it's not something I would do.'

'The new young kids are out of control because they don't practice on the tracks'.
As far as skill is concerned Nicole feel's it's a lot harder to prove on the track.
'Your racing have to qualify, there is around a typical 50/50 that you'll make it, if not your going home.'
Pro stock and the NHRA are totally against the illegal street scene and want everyone to get to the track. NHRA Street Legal events are held on drag strips across the United States. As many as 700 racers attend these events.
    
Nicole is proud of the inspiration her involvement in racing brings to young girls. The youngster's line up to meet her she has seen the fascination in their faces. It is a world that they don't realize they can enter. 'Its pretty cool I like that'.
Lyon's is influencing attitudes every time she races. Joy Donnell is Nicole's amazing Los Angeles publicist. In a phone conversation Donnell explained the effect Nicole is bringing. 'We're talking a little about race, a little about gender, intimately though, we're talking about change'.

Racing may be known now as dominated by 'the old boys club' but as long as Nicole keeps racing those ideas will become obsolete.

As Nicole puts it, 'It will all work out the more and more I am out there and am ranking the points'.

One of Nicole and her husband's goals for the future is to start a school for inner city kids and minorities who have an interest in racing. 'Many people don't even know where to begin; they hear about schools and don't even think that they could one day race.' Nicole hopes to someday bring that to reality for them.

Asides from the 24 race season she is in., she's practicing and racing almost every weekend. 'As much seat time you can get in the car is to your benefit, you need to be in the cars constantly and keep driving so your skills don't fall off'

The season ends in November at Pomona. Nicole has set a goal to be the first woman to ever win a Pro Stock series.  In the past a small number have entered, one has qualified. 'It is the most competitive bracket in the NHRA, everyone has to have 500 cubic engine so what can you do with it?

Nicole's current car is with sentimental values. It was the last car her dad built before he suddenly passed away in February. Nicole say's she will always keep the car and maintain it in the condition it is in so her children can see what great things their grandfather created.
 
Nicole describes her father's passing as one of the most influential moments in her life.
'It really made me be that much more serious about commanding peoples respect because I didn't have him anymore to say no, she's the real deal out here'. It was at a race only one week after her fathers funeral where Lyons blasted the competition by beating out the racer who was ranked third. 'I always feel like now, when I'm in the car I can say okay dad I need the car to do this and that and it always happens,  I have my own guardian  angel with  me'.
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The personal inspiration she found out of the tragedy gave her something inside of her to make things happen that was stronger than ever. 'Like I can continue in these footsteps and these are hard footsteps to follow' she laughs. 'I know my father wouldn't have invested this if he didn't know I could do this'.

Whenever you begin things you finish it, he taught me that you don't half ass do anything'

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