Motor racing is a sport in which drivers tune their car to the millimetre to ensure it perfectly suits their driving style. Even the best struggle in an unfamiliar racecar.
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As a result, the true test of ability is to throw a group of drivers into identical, unfamiliar cars. It doesn’t take long for the talent to emerge.
This is what happened when 17-year-old Riley MacQueen travelled to Sydney Motorsport Park for the qualification rounds of the Aussie Driver Search.
Despite driving two cars, a Toyota 86 and Nissan Pulsar, totally different to his usual 2002 V8 Commodore, MacQueen impressed the judges enough to be one of 10 drivers in the amateur category selected to progress through to December’s final.
”It was an awesome experience,” MacQueen said. “Out at Eastern Creek, it was my first time driving a fully race spec car, so it was great.
“I was really nervous. John Bowe was one of the judges, so there was a bit of pressure. I had a good attitude though and thought I went alright.
“There were a lot of older guys there, but I was the only real young guy so I wasn’t expecting to be selected. But it was awesome to get picked, I can’t explain the feeling.”
In just his second season of racing, MacQueen has delivered impressive growth throughout the 2018 NSW Hillclimb Championship. Adept at winning the junior categories, the Albion Park student recently claimed his first overall category win in Grafton.
The factors behind the success, he believes, are his growing knowledge of the intricacies of racecar driving. As he spends more time behind the wheel, MacQueen is becoming increasingly comfortable pushing his car that little bit faster.
“Yes I’m definitely noticing my driving improving,” MacQueen said. “Going through all the state hillclimb rounds and the Wollongong Sporting Car Club rounds, I’m really enjoying it and I’m seeing my driving skills getting better and better and my results getting better with each competition.
“I think the key is just spending more time behind the wheel and building my experience and just having fun.”