Dapto driver Hayden Pascoe off to race in US

Pascoe finished with a win, a second and five top five finishes from a seven-race stint on the US circuit last August while based in Pennsylvania.

The 21-year-old has even greater expectations this time around, after enjoying a stellar season racing in the Legend Cars category at Valvoline Raceway in Sydney.

Legend Cars are five-eighth scale 1930s and 40s Chevrolets, powered by a four-cylinder 1250cc Yamaha motor bike engine.

“Last season was pretty up and down. I had a few good nights and a few bad ones. But I’ve been on a good roll this year,’’ Pascoe said.

He attributes much of his good form to his new car – a 1937 Chev coupe.

“It’s been on rails and one of the cars to beat every weekend,’’ Pascoe said.

“Of the 10 races we’ve had this year, I’ve won four, finished second in four and placed third in one. It’s been a really good season so far.’’

Pascoe was just as impressive on the weekend when he raced in Melbourne.

On Saturday he won both heat races at Simpson Speedway, recording a course record for the quickest lap time in the process.

“Unfortunately the feature race was called off due to heavy rain,’’ Pascoe said.

Pascoe produced the goods again the following day at Premier Speedway in Warrnambool.

“I not only won the two heats, I won the feature race as well. It was a good weekend,’’ he said.

The impressive showing has also lifted Pascoe’s spirits ahead of his US trip.

Based in Pennsylvania, he will race in about 40 Central PA Legends’ races over the next seven months.

“The immediate aim is just to win a few races and gain experience,’’ Pascoe said.

“The ultimate goal is to race sprint cars but you need pretty big financial backing to do that so I just got to hope that I catch the eye of someone. I try to base my driving on a few of the top guys. You have to try and be consistent and try and do what the quick guys do and make yourself one of those people.’’