Ipswich driver Brad Pascoe wins record prize in super sedan history
Ipswich driver Brad Pascoe has revealed the mechanical issue that almost robbed him of his $20,000 payday.
Central Queensland
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Brad Pascoe is not one to celebrate his wins with any great fanfare and so it was even after he raced away with the biggest payout in Australian super sedan history at the weekend.
The Ipswich driver took the honours and the $20,000 first prize after winning the Sue Hawkings Memorial Harbour City Hustle at the McCosker Gladstone Speedway.
He beat home his father Matt and New South Welshman Tyson Moon in the 50-lap feature on Saturday night.
The significance of the win and the motivation behind the event were not lost on Pascoe.
Mackay businessman Matt Hawkings put up the bumper prize purse to fulfil the dying wish of his mum Sue, a speedway stalwart who wanted a race meeting run in her honour.
Pascoe beat out a star-studded field of drivers from four states to greet the chequered flag.
“Obviously, it would have meant a lot to the family and I spoke to Matt on the infield and shot him a message to thank him for putting it up,” he said.
Pascoe knows he will spend the money as he gears up for a demanding schedule.
“I don’t really reward myself. I might go out for dinner but nothing too fancy,” he said.
“The money will go straight back into the car because everything’s expensive.
“I’ve got some races in Bundaberg, Gympie and Toowoomba before I head to Avalon in Victoria and to Tasmania for a month.”
Pascoe did say he would enjoy having “bragging rights at the dinner table” after getting one up on his decorated driver dad.
He felt a “whole lot of relief” when he crossed the finish line, revealing that he lost the front right shock absorber on his car midway through the feature.
“There was a bit of smoke from it exploding and after that, it wasn’t handling too well,” he said.
“I switched to three wheel brakes which I never do to lock off the right front.
“I was sitting there and praying… and I was just relieved to finish, let alone win.”
Pascoe started racing when he was 13.
He was heavily influenced by his father, who he often crewed for, but also his pop and great uncle who too raced.
Asked what he most enjoyed about the high-octane sport, Pascoe replied: “That winning feeling. I’ve always been really competitive.”
A former Queensland champion, Pascoe now has his sights set on the Australian title.
“I haven’t won one of them and that’s the one everyone wants the most,” he said.
“I just want to be as consistent as possible.”
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