Selwyn_Times: June 28, 2023

28 Selwyn Times Wednesday June 28 2023
MY PRIDE AND JOY
Advertising Feature
Braedyn’s following in his
family’s footsteps.
At 15 years of age, he doesn’t yet have a
driver’s licence, but with racing in his blood
and plenty of natural ability, determined
local teen Braedyn is proving his skill in
racing ministocks. He started racing at the
end of 2022, and after competing in only
his 4th meeting, he took third place at the
Youth Ministocks Development Group at
Ashburton. He also received a trophy for
his 3rd place overall in the New Zealand
ministock development title.
The ministock is the smaller non-contact
version of the superstock, based on 1200cc
Toyota or Nissan cars. Youth Ministocks
cater to 12–16-year-olds to learn basic motor
racing skills. Braedyn’s minimalist steel chassis
vehicle has little technology. With no speedo
or fancy gadgets, he only sees oil pressure and
water temperature. Instead, he focuses on
driving, and with only 50hp, braking skills are
crucial when entering and exiting corners to
maintain the best speed.
Braedyn says his family sparked his interest,
and he’s been involved most of his life.
Grandad raced V8 superstocks, while his aunt
and uncle raced ministocks. Mum, who grew
up watching her dad drive and competed at a
demolition derby at 15, taught Braedyn how
to drive her car in his great-grandmother’s
paddock. Braedyn enjoys the sport, “knowing
it’s something that my relatives have succeeded
in and enjoyed, and I’m carrying that on”, he
says. Gaining mechanical knowledge from
one of his biggest supporters, his grandad, he
can fix his own car. With a mature outlook,
Braedyn also advises, “Racing gives me time
to myself; when you’re in the car, it’s just you
and the car, and it’s like time out, and nothing
can interrupt your focus.”
The sport provides quality family time,
brings them closer, and teaches them to
respect each other under pressure. With
support from his family, towing his vehicle
to meetings, supporting him financially,
and having speedway conversations daily,
Braedyn confirms, “Mum and dad play a
huge part.” Although his parents have set
him up, Braedyn works in the holidays,
contributing towards his costs, saying, “It’s my
responsibility to keep it going.”
Braedyn’s next step is to race at Woodford
Glen and hopefully compete at Cromwell,
Dunedin, and Invercargill Speedway NZ
tracks at the end of the year. However,
before racing at other tracks or entering any
championships, he must have good meetings
behind him to get off the mentor program
before he can travel. Braedyn’s long-term goals
include stock car racing, winning at Speedway,
or being part of teams’ racing. He also dreams
of being picked up as a driver for one of the
multiple car owners.
With his continuing success, motivation
and skill, Braedyn is a young man to watch in
motorsports. So, if you’re keen to support or
sponsor him, please contact the Selwyn Times.
Guiding influence:
Braedyn with
Aaron ‘Grandad’.
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