Great-grandma 86, smashes tyres at burnout track for birthday bash
An 86-year-old great-grandmother has gone viral after celebrating her birthday by smashing tyres at a Leeton burnout track, attracting more than one million views by thrashing it like a pro
READING LEVEL: GREEN
There was only one thing 86-year-old Lorraine Tuckett (better known as Nan) wanted for her birthday – and it was to “smash some tyres” at her local burnout* track.
On Saturday, Nan got her wish.
For the sixth year in a row, friends and family travelled to Leeton in regional New South Wales for “Nan’s Birthday Bash”.
Drivers brought their burnout cars from all around the state to celebrate the great-grandmother and turn tyres into rubber confetti.
Nan wasn’t there just to be a spectator, either. The octogenarian* loves getting behind the wheel herself, having learnt the art of the burnout at the age of 80.
“Guy taught me, my grandson,” Nan said. “Six years now I’ve been driving, even in competition. I even beat Guy once.”
Ms Tuckett had taken a bit of a break from driving so far this year, but was still happy with her performance at the Leeton track.
“I haven’t been in the car since December, but I think (I’ve) done all right,” she said.
Video of Nan’s birthday burnout pulled more than one million views on Saturday alone, attracting the attention of car enthusiasts.
Summernats* organisers said “what an absolute legend”, prominent car collector Troy “Candy” Williams invited Nan to the Gold Coast to put on an interstate display, and boxer Danny Green told followers “she is a gem”.
The celebration was seen as inspirational by people who posted that Ms Tuckett was a “legend”, an “absolute queen” and that “this is what people mean when they say ‘live your best life’.”
Burnout events are a family activity for the Tucketts. Guy has been integral* to teaching Lorraine the ropes, and helping her get the official licences to compete.
“No one knew that she was actually doing it,” said Guy. “She got in there and just went silly, and just loved it.”
“The first time she actually did it, she (did) five sets, so it’s 10 tyres.”
The Tuckett family buys their tyres by the pallet – 40 at a time – to save money. Demand for fresh rubber is only going to grow, with Nan’s great-grandson Nash, 14, already getting into the sport.
While Nan’s Birthday Bash was a social event without any point scoring, burnout competitions are growing in popularity. It’s a motorsport that’s judged more like ice-skating or gymnastics. Points are awarded for elements like driving skill, use of the burnout pad and tyre smoke.
Conversely, you’ll lose points for infringements* like starting a big fire (small ones are fine), or finishing your two-minute run with unpopped tyres.
But being a skilled driver is, of course, just one element. Competitors must also buy and maintain high-performance cars.
The deeper competitors get into the sport, the more money they spend on modifications and, eventually, engine swaps.
Nan said that wasn’t not her problem, though. She was happy for her grandson Guy to look after the mechanical stuff on her Holden VY ute.
“I only drive it and thrash (it),” Nan said.
POLL
GLOSSARY
- burnouts: spinning the rear wheels of a car without moving, thus causing a cloud of smoke, is illegal on public roads and can only take place at specially designated, sanctioned motorsport tracks or private property where written approval has been granted by the road transport authority or police
- octogenarian: a person in their 80s
- Summernats: one of Australia’s best known annual car festivals held, in Canberra
- infringements: breach or infraction, as of a law, right, or obligation; violation; transgression
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QUICK QUIZ
- How many years has “Nan’s Birthday Bash” been running?
- How old was Ms Tuckett when she learned how to do a burnout?
- What kind of car does she drive?
- How many tyres does the Tuckett family buy at a time?
- What will drivers typically lose points for in competition?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Meeting Nan Tuckett
After reading the Kids News article, create a “Meet Nan Tuckett” profile including the following details:
- Name:
- Age:
- Where does she go for her birthday
- What does she like doing?
- Who helps her?
- Why do people think she is a legend?
- How does she compare to other ladies her age?
Draw a picture of Nan Tuckett in her burnout car and add speech bubbles using details from the article.
Time: allow 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Visual Arts, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
2. Extension
Compare Lorraine Tuckett to other 86-year-old ladies by creating a two-column chart contrasting g what some people might expect an 86-year-old lady to do for her birthday with what Lorraine “Nan” Tuckett actually does.
Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
VCOP ACTIVITY
Read this!
A headline on an article – or a title on your text – should capture the attention of the audience, telling them to read this now. So choosing the perfect words for a headline or title is very important.
Create three new headlines for the events that took place in this article. Remember, what you write and how you write it will set the pace for the whole text, so make sure it matches.
Read out your headlines to a partner and discuss what the article will be about based on the headline you created. Discuss the tone and mood you set in just your few, short words. Does it do the article justice? Will it capture the audience’s attention the way you hoped? Would you want to read more?
Consider how a headline or title is similar to using short, sharp sentences throughout your text. They can be just as important as complex ones. Go through the last text you wrote and highlight any short, sharp sentences that capture the audience.