We hope you enjoy this little automotive interview with Kristina Trudgeon; modifier for life, Zen Garage contributor covering automotive events in QLD and head promo girl and drift event organiser for Nizzpro Performance.
How did you get into cars?
Neither of my parents are into cars; I think my mum just wishes she had a normal daughter haha. I just always had a passion for cars throughout high school and when the fast and furious movies came out it just sealed the deal for me. I actually always swore I would get a 180sx but still to this day have yet to own one. My parents tried to talk me out of buying a turbo import for years and it didn’t work!!! I have owned Japanese imports since I was 18 – so thats a total of 7 years now and 4 licence losses haha (none of which were my fault lol).
Any females you look up to in motoring?
I always thought “Drift Cat” Catherine Colerio was amazing; she is the only female ranked in the top 5 drifters in Australia and her drift 180sx is out of control. I would love to meet her one day.
What would you like to achieve / goals around the automotive scene?
One of my biggest goals was writing for an elite company like Ignition DVD – I had my sight set on it from the start. I created my own motoring column called ‘Girls in Top Gear’ starting in 2009 which was printed along the wide bay region in QLD and I took that state wide; even had my own merchandise and website. I was even invited to be a guest judge at show&shine car shows around QLD. When I was given the opportunity to write the press releases for directing manager of Ignition DVD Sonn Trinh I was so excited; he’s such a smart business man and I learned alot about writing from him.
I gave everything up to relocate to Brisbane 2 years ago and I was worried my involvement in the motoring industry was over; but Nizzpro Performance have opened their doors to me and they’ve given me some great opportunities in the industry. I’m now the head promo girl and organiser for Nizzpro Performance at all the local drifting events in QLD. I’ve also had Zen Garage give me the opportunity to continue my motoring writing which I’m very thankful for. I’m even dipping my hand into motoring photography now after investing in a good camera.
Nizzpro Performance have offered me drifting lessons in their track R33 so maybe one day you will see me competing on track at the big drift events haha… one day… being a professional drifter would be amazing. Or I would love to one day be the organiser of one of the biggest car events in Australia!
Who’s your biggest inspiration?
Biggest inspiration would be Sonn Trinh at Ignition DVD; he really encouraged me to go further with my motoring writing. Catherine Colerio is amazing for achieving such great things in a male dominated industry.
What cars have you owned and which is the favourite?
Ah my cars lol. When I turned 18yrs old I started on my first project car, an R33 Nissan Skyline; this was a learning curve for me with modifying engines – what a money pit! Then I had the 1999 model S15 for 3 years which I also spent a great deal of money on; it was a show stopper! Now I own my 06 model 350z. All 3 of my cars have won trophies which has been a great achievement because I have bought each car stock standard and have done them up myself. I definitely want to continue modifying cars until I’m in my grave.
I remember when I was only 16yrs old and the 350z first came out and I looked at it like a kid in a candy store and thought I would never be able to own a car like that haha… who would have thought I do today. My heart will always belong to my S15 though. I took out the “You Go Girl” trophy category at the Fast Fours & Rotaries Jamboree (the biggest car show in Australia) with my S15 and when I sold it I couldn’t watch it drive off (I actually cried haha).
If you could do any motoring event on the planet what would it be?
Thats a hard question because I get over excited about the little drift events here haha, but it would be amazing to see a D1 Grand Prix Drift Championship in Japan – I would love to see the Japanese real drift king Keiichi Tsuchiya in action (too bad he retired this year). I’ll just have to keep watching the movie Toyko Drift to see him haha.
Tina with her first turbo at the age of 18; a Nissan R33 Skyline which she owned for 3 years.
Tina with her 99 Model Nissan S15 which she sold in 2010.
Tina racing her S15 at Powercruise 2009.
Tina racing her S15 at Powercruise 2010.
Tina’s S15 took out the “You Go Girl’ category at the Fast Fours & Rotaries Jamboree in 2010.
Tina driving the Nizzpro Drift R33 on track 2011.
Tina with her 350z.
Tina racing her 06 model 350z on Lakeside track at the Japanese Nationals 2011.