Crossing Continents to Ignite a Passion for Drag Racing

Photo Credit: Shawntech

Monique Ambruosi was born to race. As a child, she could be found stripping engines at her father’s engine-building and fabrication business…and it ignited a deep passion for high-performance motorsports.
In her teens, she competed with great success in junior drag racing events in her home country of Australia, before joining her father in a father-daughter team in the IHRA and 400 Thunder Drag Racing Series. As Monique’s horizons expanded, she looked to the spiritual home of drag racing in the U.S.…and made the difficult decision to leave home to pursue her passion.
It was a big moment, but Monique’s determination and skill earned her a spot on the Prayoonto Racing team in Winchester, Virginia.

“As a kid, I always found the atmosphere at the racetrack electric,” says Monique. “The smell of methanol and the sound of the cars…it became part of me, turning into an obsession that eventually became a career.
I remember the first time I fired my Comp dragster car up in the water box just before I was about to do a burnout and test, I just had this wave of tranquillity come over me. I felt like I was one with the car, like it was a part of me.”

Turbocharging performance

Monique’s Toyota Supra s turbocharged with a B58 engine powered by a Garrett turbo, built, and tuned by Prayoonto Racing. What makes this car unique is the combination of the modern B58 platform with a chassis that’s set up to be extremely competitive on the raceway.
She sees the turbo as the heart of the setup, delivering the power, efficiency and consistency that make her to be a competitive force in Pro events.

“I come from a naturally aspirated dragster background, so the transition to a turbocharged application was one to remember…the feeling of the boost coming in is insane. It’s like the vehicle comes to life. However, without the balance of power and control that Garrett technology gives me, it would be impossible to push the car to its limits.
For me, Garrett has always been a leader in turbo technology, and that’s why we choose them every time. The products are built to perform under extreme conditions, and that gives me the confidence to push harder every run. With Garrett, we know we have the best possible equipment behind us and it’s helped us find the speed we need.” – Monique’s car is boosted by Garrett’s.

On race day, Monique goes through a set routine step by step, visualizing the run, and ensuring she’s ‘in the moment’ and ready for the tree to drop.

“Once I strap in, I block everything else out and focus on the lights, my breathing, and my job in that exact moment. It’s almost like switching to a different mindset—tuning out the noise and locking in on execution.”

Meeting challenges head on

Monique readily admits she’s faced challenges in what remains a male-dominated motorsports industry.

“As a woman, you’re often judged and underestimated before being given a chance to prove yourself and demonstrate your capabilities. There are times when we have to work twice as hard to earn the same level of respect, whether it’s in the pits, in sponsorship meetings, or on the starting line. But for me, those challenges fuel my determination.”

Her determination paid off when she was named in Drag Illustrated’s ‘30 Under 30’ list.

“This was a huge honour and a vindication of the work I’ve been putting into my career. It also showed that this is a sport that doesn’t measure gender—it measures courage, skill, and determination. I see myself as a racer, period.”

She also hopes her achievements will pave the way for a new generation of female drag racers.

“To me, success isn’t just about winning races it’s about building something meaningful. On the track, success means pushing myself and my team to perform at our best. Off the track, it’s using racing as a platform to inspire others, grow my businesses, and create opportunities.
If other young women see that and think, ‘If she can do it, I can too,’ then that’s the kind of impact I want to have.”