Pocket rockets breathe fire in the chase for Victorian crowns
ALMOST 50 of Victoria’s fastest kids are headed to Geelong on Sunday.
The 2021 Victorian Junior Quarter Midget Title will be held at Avalon Raceway and pint-sized Geelong brothers Roman and Leo Tancredi are only two of the drivers in the field with a proud family history of motor racing.
The third-generation racers have grandfather Joe to thank
for their passion for speed but their father, Michael, has also carried on that tradition.
Michael races the thunder and lightning Sprintcars at Avalon and many other circuits throughout Victoria and decided to get his sons into the sport at its most grassroots level two years ago.
With proud wife Lynda, he fields the two-car team for their sons and the pair will be eager to compete in the hotly contested Victorian title.
Some 45 drivers ranging in age from five to 16 will race.
There are 16 in the novice class for the youngest drivers.
“The Quarter Midgets are a fantastic breeding ground for the stars of the future in Australian Speedway,” Michael said.
“The sport is very family focused and teams come from all over Victoria to race each weekend.
“Many of the young drivers are second, third and even fourth generation speedway racers and they’ve grown up around the sport.
“It’s highly competitive on race day, but there’s also a strong sense of community and family.
“It’s probably no different to weekend junior footy or netball, except that the kids are putting on race suits not guernseys.
“It’s a great place for families to spend time together.”
Seven-year-old Roman and six-year-old brother Leo race cars imported from the US known as Storm chassis and the pair will hope to race up to something similar in their little pocket rockets.
Leo is the 2020 Victorian champion for the novice class, while Roman is one of the front runners looking to win his first state championship.
With a restricted season so far due to COVID and bad weather cancellations, drivers and parents alike cannot wait to get out and go racing.
Racing will start from 10am on Sunday at Little Avalon Raceway Lara.