So how does it feel to beat your dad? Pretty bloody good according to Tamworth teenager Bayley Lynch.
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The 17-year old can lay claim to being the fastest driver in the family after eclipsing dad Stephen’s time by two seconds at round three of the Tri-Series at Raleigh.
Driving his dad’s Mazda MX5, Bayley’s best time of 55.80secs saw him not only beat his dad but finish on top of the podium in the Type 2 under 2ltr class.
Proud of Bayley’s success, Stephen could sense his grip on the bragging rights was loosening.
“He’s been coming closer and closer,” he said.
The two will hit the track again on Sunday when the Tamworth Sporting Car Club hosts a lap dash at Oakburn Park.
But Stephen will have to wait for another meeting for a chance at redemption, with Bayley, who only started competing last year, testing out a new car and in a different class.
“It’ll be the first time this weekend anyone has driven it,” he said of the recently acquired 32-year old BMW E-30. They have been working hard to get the car, which has what Bayley described as a “surprise engine”, up to race standard, completely stripping it down with “anything unnecessary” taken out.
“We wanted a car with this engine and we found it,” Bayley said adding that Sunday is really just about seeing how the new car performs and what needs changing.
A member of the car club for three years, for Stephen there is a bit more at stake. Until his third finish at Raleigh he was leading the TSCC series.
“I’ve been overtaken by Allan Barnes and Kees Van der Horst. They’re sharing first place,” Stephen said.
“I’ve got to win this weekend to get my position back.”
He trails Barnes and Van der Horst by a point.
Bayley said everyone at the club has been great.
“Everyone is willing to come out and help you and tell you where you can improve,” the Year 11 Farrer student said.
“There is no age barrier.”
He produced his winning run at Raleigh his last lap of the day.
He’d worked out his previous laps where he could go harder, where he could brake and just pushed the car to it’s limits.
Like Bayley, Stephen’s interest in motorsport started at a young age.
“I used to be into go-karts growing up,” he said.
But then other commitments, such as paying-off houses, got in the way.
He has had the silver and black Madza for four years.
“It was brought for the intention of the car club,” he said.
“It only comes out for club races.”
Racing starts at 9.30am.
