Teen takes state speedway title

BACCHUS Marsh teenager Jack Wilson has notched up an impressive motor racing win, taking out the Victorian VSC Open Juniors State Title in a car previously successfully raced by both his father and mother.

The 14-year-old Bacchus Marsh Grammar student was up against the best junior drivers from all over the state when he took the chequered flag and the title at Daylesford Speedway on Saturday 14 February.

“It’s pretty special,” said Wilson, whose speedway day had gotten off to a good start with three heat wins and only got better.

“It was pretty nerve-wracking knowing I was leading such a big race.”

The fierce junior competition showcased skill, determination and the bright future of the sport, with Wilson also recording the fastest lap in a time of 20.276 seconds – which was also a track record.

“This is Jack’s second season in VSC (Victorian Speedway Council) Open Juniors,” said pleased dad Gareth Wilson, who is no stranger to speedway success himself.

“He won the Daylesford class championship last year as a rookie. Winning the state title is the biggest award in his class of racing.”

Wilson has supportive sponsors who he was eager to thank following the win, and said he enjoys preparing and developing the car as well as driving it.

So it comes in fairly handy that Wilson Senior is director of a local auto electrical and mechanical business, with Wilson driving a car that is pretty special for his family.

“It’s an original VH Commodore body but the motor has been upgraded to an Ecotec,” Wilson said.

“Dad built the motor back when he was racing the car 15 years ago. He won a lot of races in that car. So did mum – Lea Davey – as well. It’s pretty cool.”

Wilson already has his sights set on taking out the title again next year at Horsham, and his competitive ethos is straightforward: “Just show up and give it a crack,” he said.

The results were recorded using Daylesford Speedway’s new timing loop system and have been uploaded to Speedhive.