Teen Hedge sets record pace
New Zealand has a long history of excelling in motorsport and Callum Hedge is among the next generation making their mark, setting records as the youngest winner in a couple of different categories.
The 1960s saw the emergence of Denny Hulme, Bruce McLaren, Chris Amon, Howden Ganley, Kenny Smith and Hugh Anderson.
They were followed by Paul Radisich, Jim Richards, Rod Millen, Possum Bourne, Graeme Crosby, Greg Murphy, Michael Pickens and Scott Dixon.
Now Shane van Gisbergen, Hayden Paddon, Emma Gilmour, Scott McLaughlin, Earl Bamber, Brendon Hartley, Liam Lawson, Marcus Armstrong, Mitch Evans, Nick Cassidy and Courtney Duncan are impressing around the globe.
And the future looks bright, with several youngsters starting to excel abroad, such as Matthew Payne, Hunter McElrea, Louis Sharp, Billy Fraser, Madeline Stewart — and Hedge.
Turning 19 next Thursday, Hedge said he tried to make the most of his many opportunities this year.
“It’s been hard work and the [Porsche] Carrera Cup Australia is probably the hardest season I’ve had,” he told the Weekend Herald.
Hedge won several karting titles before moving into the Ssangyong Racing Series. He also contested the New Zealand Formula Ford series in 2017-18 and became the youngest driver in the world to win a national Formula Ford title. He then took part in the Australian Formula Ford championship, becoming the youngest driver in 50 years to win a race.
In 2018-19, he also won the New Zealand Toyota 86 series — the youngest and only rookie to do so.
Renowned talent spotter Bamber quickly signed Hedge to his eponymous race team, first for the Porsche Sprint Challenge series in 2021 and then the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia this year.
“Earl [Bamber] wasn’t at the track very much due to his commitments but I’m convinced he doesn’t sleep. Every time I go racing and get out of the car, there’s a text message from him, even if it’s 2am where he is. He’s always in your corner and a book of knowledge we can always use. All of us young people in his team have learned so much from him this year.
“With the Porsche series being so competitive, it naturally makes you step up your game. At the beginning, I was trying to win every race and ended up having a few crashes.
“From Townsville onwards, I changed my approach to the weekends, and from then on, the results were really consistent.
“To be right up there fighting for podiums, poles and wins, I can’t really complain how this year has gone. I should have finished third in the championship, but I had a mechanical failure and got a DNF, so finished the year sixth.”
Hedge has set his sights on the Toyota Racing Series with M2 Competition in early 2023, when he’ll encounter some of the world’s best young drivers.
“I’ve done a couple of tests in a TRS car and it’s quite a different driving style [to GT cars].
“In a single seater, you have to be a bit more precise and accurate because all your inputs, no matter how small, affect the car. Whereas in a tin top, you can get away a little bit by not driving textbook-like.
“It’s been a bit of an adjustment, especially in the finer details, but it should be good by the time the series starts.”
I’m convinced he doesn’t sleep. Every time I go racing and get out of the car, there’s a text message from him, even if it’s 2am where he is.
Callum Hedge on Earl Bamber