Suffolk, VA - Ever since she was given a souped-up Barbie Car by her father at the tender age of seven, Tia Norfleet has been addicted to racing, and racing as fast as possible.

Fast forward 16 years and the petite native of Suffolk, Virginia is poised to become the first African-American female to compete in the elite ranks of National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR).

Although Ms Norfleet's first love as a young child was music, racing was in her blood.

Her father, Bobby Norfleet, was a protege of African-American NASCAR driver Wendell Scott and has spent most of his career racing in motorcycles, drag cars and stock cars.

Mr Norfleet told Reuters: 'I have been racing for all of her life and Tia decided a long time ago as a small child that she wanted to race'.

Ms Norfleet says that although she loves racing, her principle objective is to inspire other young women to follow their own dreams.

She told Reuters: 'That's my main goal -- to motivate young girls of all colours, all races and all creeds, and to let them know that you don't have to go out and do something that is immoral or not right.

'I want them to know you can be positive and you can achieve things. When people tell you you can't do something, I just want to motivate them to be all that they can be.