21-1-91 Heather tests her racing skills on land. Heather Spurle - a passion for speed Heather Spurie began a love affair with speed when she was 16 years old. While most of us would see hurtling along at speeds of up to 265 km/ph as dangerous the 31-уeaтold Kiwi perceives it as excitement. The Women's World Water Speed Record Holder was in Christchurch recently to compete in the Peter Jackson International Motor Racing Series. Whetherracing on Lake By Chris Fogarty Ruataniwha OI at Ruapuna, she says both sports are exciting in their own way. Unfortunately for Spurle, engine difficulties with her Formula Pacific prevented her from racing in the city giving her the rare opportunity to watch rather than participate. By competing and succeeding in the traditionally male-dominatedsport of motor racing she believes she is breaking the mould. "I'm conscious of being a woman in this sport, she says. "You have to prove yourself belore you get taken seriously." Now, after three years of top-level racing, she no longer feels the need to be "one of the boys" Despite the nature of her chosen sports, Spurle has avoided any serious acci- dents on land or water. It's one record that she hopes will remain intact as she aims to continue racing well into the nine- ties. Says Spurle, "as long as the opportunities are there to drive, 1 am happy to do Ruapuna action 10000- Actor ABOVE: Bob Johnston of Christchurch in car number 71 leads fellow Cantabrian Allen Jones into the main straight during a practice for the recent Motor Craft Formula Ford race at Ruapuna. LEFT: Dennis Marks of Riccarton in his Torana competes in a qualifying race for the Coca Cola Classic Cars events at the recent Peter Jackson International Motor Racing Series at Ruapuna.