An Adelaide-based team is hoping to Excel at this year’s Hi-Tec Bathurst 6 Hour – literally.
Stephenson Motorsport, the only team to enter a Hyundai Excel Cup Car will tackle the race for the first time this Easter – and they’ll do it with the youngest driver in the field, too.
Entered in the Invitational class, the Stephenson Motorsport Excel will be driven by experienced Formula Ford, Hyundai Excel and Aussie Racing Cars driver Scott Stephenson, Historic racer Chris Cotton and teenager Tyson Harvey – the youngest driver on the grid and possibly the youngest ever competitor to race Mount Panorama. (TBC)
Tyson turns 16 on Easter Saturday, meaning that due to Mount Panorama licensing restrictions he can’t take to the circuit until practice that morning – missing Friday’s running.
The young Karting Australia graduate isn’t inexperienced, with more than 400 starts in karting backing up his strong form in the South Australian Circuit Excel Series lately.
It means the young South Aussie talent is likely to have a very, very happy 16th Birthday as he takes to Mount Panorama’s 6.213km for the first time.
“As the team owner I am stoked to have these boys driving with me as they bring passion for the sport and have a great attitude towards racing and their craft! We’re excited to have a go on the mountain!” team owner Stephenson said.
“Our team is all made up of friends and family of the drivers and we cannot thank them enough for their support and help for the event, giving up their week to travel and work with us.
“We are very thankful to our amazing sponsors Webber Davies Conveyancers, Goanna Energy Consultancies, GSL Rallysport, Penrite Oil and Carsforhope.
“We held a fundraising quiz night earlier in the year to help us fundraise the money for the event and we cannot thank everyone who came to that enough, it has helped us massively as we run on smaller budgets to some teams!”
The team said the sole ambition was to make it to the end of the race – as well as setting some benchmarks for other Excels to follow in the future.
“Our aim for the event is to finish the race and ideally finish as the quickest excel around Mount Panorama which we believe is a 3:00.2 time,” Stephenson said.
