Three years after buying a $500 second-hand Hyundai Excel, Bega driver John Paine plans on going fast, very fast.
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He’s joined the SeriesX3 racing tour, which is a production standard class using the Excels as a base.
“The guys who started the Excel racing series wanted a cheap one-make model and this is a perfect car for that," Paine says. "They’re like a cockroach, they’re hard to kill and last forever.”
It’s been a labour of love for the former go-karter and drag racer, who now hopes to hit some of Australia’s most iconic tracks.
“This weekend I’m at Wakefield Park in Goulburn for my first outing, then we have Eastern Creek and hopefully Philip Island,” he said.
“It’s been a three-year build so it’s a bit nerve-wracking for the first race, you’ve spent so much time and money on the car that you don’t want to bend it, but it’s exciting at the same time.”
He’s a racing lover, taking on track days including a couple of hot laps in the V8 Supercars, so the chance to shred tread alongside a full class of racers is a thrilling concept.
“It’s going to be great racing some of these iconic tracks that have so much history,” Paine said.
“I’m really looking forward to Philip Island, that holds a special place for me, but tipping it into turn one at 180kmh at Eastern Creek should be pretty interesting too,” he said with a laugh.
The series now runs nationally under CAMS rules, which ensures a level playing field.
“We’re allowed to modify the suspension, the safety equipment and tyres, but it’s basically stock under production rules,” Paine said.
“It can be challenging not to have the big brake rotors, but levels the field – it means you’re not racing someone whose spent $100,000 on specialty parts.”
Known to his mates as “Wombat” Paine has launched his car under the guise of Womstar Racing and is hoping to build a profile as a Bega Valley racer.
“I’m really looking forward to getting on the circuit and racing these guys, but also just to get our name out there.”
He will be on the circuit today (Friday) for practice ahead of a two-day racing session at Goulburn’s Wakefield Park.