Feb 6, 2020

Opening his debut QSS World Series campaign with back-to-back Revolution Racegear Quicktime awards, Tasmanian teenager Jock Goodyer quickly displayed his depth of talent in one of the toughest contracted fields in the championship’s history.

Goodyer’s impressive Boxing Day start came off the back of securing his maiden Australian Formula 500 Title just a week earlier at Simpson Speedway, however his ability to adapt back into the seat of the D&B Goodyer Developments #T22 Maxim has more than raised the eyebrows of the industry, including his own team and family.

Crew-chief Glen Beaton has partnered with some of Australia’s finest Sprintcar exponents, spannering both James McFadden and Jamie Veal to World Series championships, and believes there’s something special about the 18 year old’s ability that goes beyond his driving talents.

“He’s a combination of James and Jamie,” Beaton says, “because he’s relaxed like James out of the race car, and he’s smooth like Jamie when he’s in the car. He’s an outstanding talent and I love being able to watch him develop every time he goes on the track, but he’s got such a teachable attitude that you know he’s constantly learning and listening.”

His parents are understandably proud, however his mum Belinda is very hesitant to claim any credit for his talent.

“I just let him do his thing. I don’t give him much encouragement apart from just to do whatever you like doing and he just does it,” Belinda says, still somewhat surprised that her son wasn’t overly interested in the sport despite the family team being active since he was baby. “It’s funny that Jock really didn’t want to race a car until he was about 15 because he was only interested in his other sports. It was weird, because he just got in and drove and went well, and we really didn’t know he could drive!”

Father Darren echoed his wife’s comments, adding that Jock’s respect for other racers is what makes him most proud.
“He’s quick… there’s no doubt about that, but what makes me proud is how much room he gives other racers and how much respect he shows them. He’s quiet and doesn’t promote himself. I do all his boasting for him,” Darren laughs.

As the World Series schedule reignites next week in Esperance, Goodyer sits 3rd in the championship, and although he trails leader James McFadden by 483 points and current runner up Kerry Madsen by 370, he leads the Rookie of the Year standings over Lucas Wolfe by 155 marks.

His impressive debut is thanks largely to his stout qualifying form, and from the nine rounds competed, Goodyer has claimed the top spot twice and second quickest three times with the remaining rounds still inside the top fifteen.

With the Western Swing holding all the cards for the final four rounds of the series, the challenge heightens for the young Tasmanian as he visits three new venues, but according to father Darren, it’s nothing he hasn’t faced before.

“It will be interesting to see how he handles these new tracks, because they’re big and free flowing. But since Glen has come to the team, Jock has been 100% confident every time he hits the track and that’s what’s made a big difference. But I don’t know how he does it! He gets a few roll around laps during engine starts and a handful of quick ones during hot laps and then he seems to be able to go full tilt straight into qualifying, when he’s never seen the track before. It amazes me!”

QSS World Series Sprintcars reconvenes at Esperance Holden Speedway on February 14 for the first of four West Australian rounds to complete the 2019-20 tour.

RELEASE ENDS

Pic courtesy of Corey Gibson Photography.