L-plater has licence to thrill at 240km/h

ZANE Goddard has only just earned his learner’s permit but is set to reach speeds of up to 240km/h when he races on the Gold Coast 600 track this weekend.

The Gold Coast resident, who recently turned 16, will race for the first time at home when he competes in the fifth round of the Australian Formula 4 Championship this weekend.

“I can’t wait to get on the Surfers Paradise track and race it for the first time,” Goddard said. “After growing up in the area, it’s always been an event I’ve enjoyed going to and watching so to be part of it and part of the first appearance for Formula 4 there, I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’ll be looking to make the most of our practice sessions to help set up the car for qualifying as a grid position towards the front will be critical with how tight the track is and how few passing opportunities there are.”

Goddard, who was a star at karting, revealed the greatest challenge hasn’t been racing in cars for the first time this year but driving with other residents around the Gold Coast outside of his sport.

“It’s certainly been a difficult thing to adapt to not being able to drive at 240km/h,” Goddard said.

“The roads we are racing on this weekend are some that I can drive on in a road car on a daily basis so it will feel strange at first, but I’m really looking forward to it and having a good amount of friends and supporters trackside throughout the event.”

It will be the first time the Formula 4 Championship has held a round at the Gold Coast 600 and the first time the event has played host to open-wheelers since the former Indy Gold Coast 300 ended in 2008.

Goddard has found some success in racing this year and is currently 11th in the championship.