Samantha Mouat worked in three jobs to get the $10,000 to buy her ministock car.
Hundreds of mourners are expected to attend today's funeral service for a teenager killed in a speedway accident over Easter Weekend.
Samantha Mouat, 15, will be farewelled at Baypark Speedway, Mt Maunganui, the home track where she was racing in her first season in a ministock car.
She died after
rolling her vehicle into a wall at Kaikohe Speedway in Northland on Saturday.
Many friends have filtered through the family's Tauranga home this week, paying tribute to the teenager, who was a passionate dancer as well as a promising motorsport talent.
Her fellow ministock racers will perform a lap of honour as part of the funeral service.
Samantha's mother, Lisa Strydom, said the family were determined not to dwell on the crash. Instead, they were emphasising the positive impact of her short life.
"She touched so many hearts. We are just struggling at the moment, we miss her so much," she told the Bay of Plenty Times.
Samantha's stepfather, Franz Strydom, has encouraged visitors to the house to share stories about Sam.
"I said: 'She wouldn't want you crying. Start talking about the things you have done, and remember her'. There was laughter coming out of the room for about two hours."
Samantha is survived by 10 brothers and sisters in her extended family.
Mrs Strydom saw the accident from the stands at Kaikohe, as did Samantha's boyfriend, Sam Pitman, who was driving in the same race.
Samantha's determination to become a racing car driver stemmed from her "petrol-head" father, Mike Mouat. She had worked on three jobs to raise the $10,000 for a mini stockcar.
It is believed she had recently secured a sponsor for next season on the back of some strong racing.
Samantha had planned to become an accountant, using her earnings to fund her love of cars.
Kaikohe Speedway operator Circle Track Racing has begun an inquiry into the fatal crash, which will look at the condition of the track, the teenager's car, and the number of vehicles in the race. The Department of Labour and a serious crash unit are also investigating.
