Racing Rosa Niesten

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia (Nov 30 2011) Although the world of motorsports has always been dominated by the male gender, that is not to say the female gender have not also made their own mark in motor racing as well. To the contrary actually, because out on Canada’s eastern coast there is a cast of very worthy female drag racers and the senior member of this group is none other than Rosa Niesten.

As we now sink deep in our cool Canadian winter months, I’m honoured to share this feature story of a Nova Scotia based drag racer that is very worthy of some coast to coast recognition. Rosa Niesten exemplifies everything that goes into both drag racing and life in general. Born in Holland in 1940, this soft spoken 71 year old great-grandmother recently joined me for an interview on her exploits in world of quarter-mile drag racing. Although I still sometimes consider myself a journalistic rookie, this particular assignment has really left its mark because of this ladies relaxed approach to this intense game we all play.

For many years, Rosa and her husband of fifty years, Henk have competed around the Atlantic Provinces in the Street/Sportsman class. Between them they have countless round wins, event wins as well as championships. Rosa’s race car is a 1989 Ford Mustang, with its power supplied by a 350 Chevy power plant. This savvy driver has pushed the best ever marks as low as 13.34 at 102.5 mph.

Time did not permit the research, but I’m thinking this unique accomplishment could be a Canadian record, since this 71 year old great-grandmother still has no plans to retire from the sport she truly loves.

CDR: So Rosa, what brought you into drag racing?

Niesten: Well it all started because my sons were drag racing and then my husband Henk got into it. Then Henk was always telling me just how much fun it was. I actually started out racing with Henk’s tow vehicle, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

CDR:  For several years you have been at the top of your class at several tracks around the Maritimes. You must have some great memories of a few huge round wins both within your class, and in our fun Saturday “Gamblers” races. Can you name a couple of your more memorable wins?

Niesten:  The first race I won was at Raceway Park in PEI, and I was racing a 1998 Chev truck, that only went about 17 seconds in the quarter. In the final round, I was standing at the starting line waiting for the light to go down, it seemed like it took forever to come down, but i didn’t take my eyes off of it. And when it came down, I really went of it, and won. It was really a great feeling because I had just defeated a veteran racer. What a great feeling!!!  The second biggest race was against my son Ben, in the Gamblers Race on a Saturday night. Ben did win that one, but it was a real thrill because he had a perfect .500 light and I had a .504. It was pretty close at the end too. I also enjoyed a special win at Greenfield Dragway in the 2009 TEAM RACE. It was really special for me because I earned some important points for my Cape Breton Team. I loved that win. I can’t remember them all, but I have fun in all of them, and I especially love to race against Henk.

CDR: Do you actually help with repairs and changes to things on your car, or does Henk just handle all the repairs?

Niesten:   Well I don’t fix things but I will often help out, and I do tell him if I don’t like it too. Hahahaha!!!

CDR:  Do you handle your own dial-in decisions or are there some team discussions?

Niesten:  We sometimes will talk about it but it is my dial up. I suppose you could say I make my own times.

CDR: Does your crew-chief ever question your burnout procedures? From what I’ve seen, you tend to enjoy bigger burnouts. Is there any truth to that?

Neisten:  Yes, Henk always tells me that I go through more tires than he does but to tell you the truth, I love it.

CDR: Now Rosa, since you race in the same class as your husband Henk, and often race against your two sons, Benny and Conrad, and also your two grand-daughters, Crystal and Rosalie, is there anybody who tracks the wins and losses within the family. A few times I have seen all six Niestens racing at the same event so somebody must be tracking those white and yellow slips.

Neisten:  Yes, if we win we sometimes show it to each other, but mainly we just like to laugh a lot, whether we win or not.

CDR:  The trophy shelf must be getting pretty full by now; can we ask if you have more trophies than your team-mate Henk?

Niesten:  Let’s just say it is very close. I do have some more but I don’t want to tell him that.

CDR:   Now Rosa, do you have any words of advice for other ladies who just might be having thoughts about trying out drag racing on a track?

Niesten:  Please try it. This is so much fun. Seriously, it took me years to try it and I’m so glad I did. Plus, you don’t need to have a fancy car to start out. Go out and have yourself some fun.

CDR:  Have you ever thought about a summer weekend without drag racing? What else would you be doing if you were not a drag racer?

Niesten:  Well, when we are not racing we like to be at our cabin. But, I’m not ready for that yet because I’m still having too much fun, drag-racing.

Rosa with Canadian Drag Racer Magazine's Gerard Bryden

CDR:  Now Rosa, on behalf of Canadian Drag Racer Magazine, I would like to thank you for several things. First, thanks  for helping us with this unique story and second, thanks for your devotion to this sport and third, thanks for showing everyone that gender and age have no boundaries in drag-racing,

Niesten:  Well thank you, and thanks to Canadian Drag Racer Magazine for doing such a wonderful job covering drag racing from coast to coast in Canada.


Having followed drag racing for about 35 years I’m really not sure just what else I can add about this easy going, soft spoken competitor. Rosa Niesten should be an inspiration to every drag racer in Canada because of the youthful enthusiasm she brings to every race facility she competes at. If you have an opportunity to visit a track in Atlantic Canada, you must stop by the Niesten pit area and experience these great people.

Gerard Bryden
Canadian Drag Racer Magazine

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