THEY say the best modification is often done to the person behind the wheel, and that philosophy has been embraced by female drag racer Domanie Denniston. Instead of piling the performance enhancements on to her 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STi, she’s instead blended personal growth in driver skills with a rather light tuning menu for her car to make her competitive in the National Drag Racing Circuit’s 14-second class.

“I am planning to make super modifications to it soon, but right now, it’s just about getting the maximum out of the stock set-up,” Denniston told Auto.

The STi is already an impressive beast from the factory, boasting 300bhp from its turbocharged flat-four cylinder engine and all-wheel drive.

Currently, the car only runs a tail blow-off valve to help relieve the re-tuned ECU’s 21 lb of boost pressure between gearshifts. The programming, courtesy of Banks Tuning, not only raises pressures for some extra power, but also maintains preset levels for each of the six gears.

So far, she’s posted a best time of 14.503 seconds quarter-mile at this year’s Drag Challenge #1 on her way to chasing a personal best of 14.084 seconds back in 2013. Impressive numbers, given the fact she’s only been drag racing since the beginning of 2013.

Denniston has no qualms about where her passion originated.

“I grew up under Lisa Bowman-Lee,” she said.

Having one of Dover Raceway’s finest female drivers in her corner has done wonders for her driving prowess and influenced her taste in cars, as Bowman-Lee, along with husband Paul, run Subaru specialist garage P&L Racing.

“Lisa and Paul have been my Bible,” she said.

A teacher by profession, Denniston works on her Subaru as taught by Paul Lee, supported by Spoon Racing and boyfriend Roger Hong. At this point, there are no aims to branch out into other forms of motorsport. Instead, she plans to further hone her skills and eventually build a full-time drag car.

“I’d just like to continue being a female in the sport, and be a beacon for others,” she said.

— Rory Daley