24th May 2013

13yo kart racer Harrison Oddie beats the 'oldies' - From the Gympie Times

Harrison Oddie pushing his number two car to its limits in the Junior National Light race last month. Image: Coopers Photography

YOUNG Gun kart racer Harrison Oddie is in fine form this year after a dominant display at the Junior National Light competition last month.

Placing second in the prestigious event and racing against competitors who were three years older, Oddie, 13, said he wasn’t daunted by the experienced boys.

“I knew it was going to be tough but I got out there and gave my all,” he said.

“I wasn’t sure if I could come away with a podium finish but I had a great race and ended up in second.”

The Saint Patrick’s student trains relentlessly for the sport he loves, saying technique is the main aspect of racing.

“It’s all about how you take the track,” Oddie said.

“Even though I can get the kart to go 120kmh, it’s how tight you can take corners and find the right path.”

Mum Alison said she was proud of her son’s recent success.

“It was a big step up for him to start racing in the older age groups but he is holding his own,” she said.

“Last year he placed second in his age group and now he has performed the same feat racing against boys much older than him.”

Alison said her son had a great talent in which he could adapt to the track much faster than the average racer.

“It only takes him a couple of laps before he knows the track in and out,” she said.

“Drivers need to know how to take certain corners and straights so it’s a huge advantage in the race.”

The Harrington Doyle team member and number two driver has raced seven times this year, coming away with a top five spot every race.

When asked where he would like to be in 10 years from now, Oddie said he wanted to be racing V8s.

“It would be awesome to get behind those cars,” he said.

Alison said she would love to see her son race professionally in the V8s but said the money involved was ridiculous.

“It costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to start racing but hopefully he picks up a great sponsor who helps him achieve his dreams.”