Since stepping into Legend Cars three seasons ago, Troy Bolton has continued to make gains as he’s undergone the learning curve. However, it wasn’t until last Saturday night that he proved he’s now well and truly found his feet in the class.
Getting more and more comfortable in the car with each outing, Bolton’s improvement has been reflected in his results, particularly during the second half of this season, which has seen him amass four feature-race victories at Gympie’s Mothar Mountain Speedway, Nowra Speedway, Goulburn Speedway and Bega’s Sapphire Speedway, as well as picking up an impressive fourth-place finish during the Australian Title at Sydney’s Valvoline Raceway.
It was with the added confidence due to these results that the Belconnen, ACT-based driver headed into last Saturday night’s Victorian Title at Wahgunyah Speedway; a track he was visiting for the first time.
Picking up a seventh, second and fourth-place finish in his heat races, Bolton qualified fifth for the 20-lap Victorian Title-deciding feature race, steadily clawing his way forward to reach the lead by lap seven.
Holding strong in his front position, Bolton’s only challenge came on lap 15 in the form of his nephew John Egan, who pipped his uncle for the lead and attempted to fend him off for the remaining few laps.
Refusing to be denied, Bolton battled with Egan in the closing stages of the race, eventually reclaiming the lead on lap 19 and going on to achieve what is a major milestone in winning his maiden state title, leaving Egan to settle for second place.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have been able to finish our season on a high by winning the Victorian Title, particularly seeing as though we had to come from position five to do it,” expressed the 49-year-old, who has been joined on track by his son and Legend Car rookie Brock this season.
“John certainly gave me a run for my money at the end there, but to be able to share the podium with him makes it even more special. The Legend Cars class is very competitive, so every minute you spend setting up your car counts and I think that’s what helped get us over the line.”
With his parents Noel and Heidi having raced sedans throughout the 1970s at the now defunct Fraser Park Speedway in the ACT, Bolton has speedway in his blood from an early age.
Making his own foray into the sport as a pit crew member for Compact Speedcar drivers Chris Cremin and the late Mick Rawlings, a former Australian Champion who was also a good family friend, in the early 1990s, Bolton made his racing debut in the mid-1990s aboard his own Compact Speedcar, racing for three seasons before stepping into Litre Cars (now known as Lightning Sprints).
Competing throughout NSW until 2002, Bolton then made a return to Compact Speedcars and completed another three seasons, until family commitments saw him step away from driver duties.
Once again hitting the track in 2014, this time in a 4 Cylinder Sedan which he piloted for a couple of seasons, Bolton was also pleased to introduce his daughter Brittany to speedway racing via the Junior Sedans class.
Making the decision to step into Legend Cars three seasons ago through the encouragement of a number of close friends, who included fellow racers and family friends Rob Rawlings Jnr and Brad Rawlings, Bolton’s decision has certainly been a fruitful one.
Planning to contest the full 2019-20 season schedule, Bolton hopes to continue improving on his consistency in order to achieve more feature-race wins and podium results.
Bolton would like to thank the following 2018-19 season sponsors:
Capital Auto Paints
Kelley Bodyworks
Goodyear – Fyshwick
Nulon Oil
Uniglide Lubricants
P1 Australia
Special thanks go to Bolton’s wife Tammy and their two kids Brock and Brittany, along with John and Sam from Legend Cars Australia.
