Gina Hamilton: Most likely to. . . set her own speed limit

courtesy of Dale Hamilton

Gina smiles before making a pass down the track.

by Kaylee Henry, Reporter
June 22, 2015

This is the first story in Lancer Media’s 2015 Summer Series: Most Likely to…

These feature stories highlight rising seniors who are becoming role models of Lancer Spirit.

Nine seconds in the quarter mile,  moving at 150 mph, speed is Gina Hamilton’s passion.

Hamilton, Class of 2016 member is midway through her first complete season of drag racing. She began her racing career in 2014, but these first few races were only “test and tune” runs.

“The first time I went down the track was a major adrenaline rush,” said Hamilton.

Doing the unimaginable at the age of 16, Gina has a hot pink Suzuki Hyabusa 1300 GSXR, one of four bikes in the Hamilton family.

“Over the winter a family friend painted my motorcycle from black to pink,” said Gina. Wearing a fitted back leather suit with Gina written on the shoulder, she looks like a star in a TV show.

The Hamilton family has been involved with the drag racing community since her father, Dale Hamilton, began racing at the age of 18. They’ve created a tight-knit circle of friends with their home track, Mason Dixon Dragway.  Her cousin and uncle are also involved with the drag racing community.

“The first time I ever went to the track, I was still in diapers,” said Gina.

In addition to Mason Dixon Dragway, the family travels to southern Maryland to Maryland International Raceway, MIR for short.

On Memorial Day 2015, Gina and cousin Jacob Hamilton faced each other in the second round. Jacob had a .000 reaction time, and Gina had a .001 (.000 is a perfect reaction time). In the tight race, Jacob came out the winner by 5 thousandths of a second.

“I’ll get him next time though,” said Gina.

This isn’t the first time Gina has had to race a family member. On April 12th, Gina and her uncle, Kevin Hamilton, raced. With a little family competition the race was close, but Kevin had the win.

Every driver needs a pit crew, and this is where Class of 2016 Christina Lewis comes into play. Christina acts as an extra set of hands, a photographer and cheers on the family at every race.

“I make sure they get down the track safely, do bike prep and any other work that needs to be done. Being at the track with Gina is always fun and we’re looking forward to great race season,” said Lewis.