By Callum Ludwig
7-year-old Woori Yallock resident Clay Paull may compete in the Novice division due to his age, but he certainly proved he is no novice in ability at his first Victorian title, the Junior Quarter Midgets Victorian Title at the Little Avalon Raceway.
Taking after his Dad Jamie (who has three titles of his own) in tearing up the speedway, Clay races a quarter midget, which is designed for juniors and has four racing divisions based on the age of racers.
Jamie said Clay has had successes along the way since starting racing at five years old, but this current season has been his most successful one yet.
“He has competed in 10 races so far this season and has done an incredible job driving in each event to secure himself a podium position at all 10 race meets. Among his wins, he has even managed to make history on two occasions,” he said.
“The first was winning the first ever running of the Junior All Stars Challenge where the format of racing was that of sprintcars, where Clay won by a mere 0.047 seconds. The second was when he clean-swept a two-day meet of six heats and the final to become the first-ever winner of the Junior Kings Royal held in Kingaroy, Queensland.”
Clay has picked up six feature wins, two second places and two third places this season.
Jamie said Clay had driven brilliantly at the Victorian title to qualify out of P2 for the feature race and was thinking he could win before the start of the race.
“Clay ran the high line to make a pass on the leader on lap three to then lead the remainder of the 15-lap feature, crossing the checkered flag in first place and as he came around to receive the checkered flag for his victory lap, he gave a big fist pump in the air and his face was beaming from underneath his helmet,” he said.
“Clay now shares the claim of being a Victorian Titleholder with his favourite driver and hero, his Dad. He can’t wait to change his car number to Victoria 1 for the remainder of the season and represent it with pride and joy.”
The big family group hug with Mum and Dad and Clay’s biggest supporter five-year-old sister Bridie was in order following the win, that’s for sure.
