Cruz missile aimed at US

HE can barely see over the steering wheel but five-yearold Cruz Kelly is off to conquer the motorsport world. The pint-sized Cruz missile is headed for the US at the end of the month to compete at the Tulsa Shootout in his speedway sprintcar. The kindergarten car racer lives on the family farm at Wesley Vale near Devonport and sells eggs to help to raise the money his family shells out for his fledgling career. Cruz’s dad Marcus, a joiner by trade, is a former Australian Formula 5000 speedway champion and multiple Tasmanian title holder. He says Cruz cut his teeth at the track.

“He was at the track watching me when I was racing so he’s grown up around racing,” Marcus said.

Cruz also loves riding motorcycles and his four-wheel ATV, and helping dad on the farm.

Marcus, who has also raced at Tulsa, said Cruz was a perfect fit for the event.

“Over here you can’t race speedway until you’re 16, in the USA you can start at five,” Marcus said.

More than 1000 drivers will compete at Tulsa in a variety of age brackets. Cruz has qualified for the 5 to 12year-old rookie division.

“This year’s trip is about Cruz gaining experience and hopefully in the next few years he can make the feature race and have a shot at winning the coveted ’Golden Driller’ award,” Marcus said.

Cruz’s mum Lisa was a successful cycle racer and his sister Lace, 10, is a budding singer and dancer.