Bailey Sweeney: Hyundai supercar champ fights licence revocation in South Coast court

A South Coast Supercar driver whose daring exploits as a teen racer have earned him accolades in the racing community has now landed himself in court fighting a licence revocation.

A South Coast Supercar driver’s daring exploits on and off the track have been detailed in a local court as the teenage Toyota and Hyundai racer fights to keep his road licence.

Bailey Sweeney, 19, appeared before Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday to appeal the cancellation of his licence by Traffic for NSW following a number of infringements.

The Batemans Bay local has been racing in motorsport competitions since he was a teenager, but was described by lawyer Samantha Henry as an “inexperienced driver”.

“Sweeney only received his provisional licence in 2022,” Ms Henry said.

“He is still an inexperienced driver.

“He is passionate about driving, but unfortunately has made some silly mistakes.”

Magistrate Doug Dick chastised Sweeney for his “negligent” driving record.

“The racetrack is for speeding and driving like this, you know that,” he told Sweeney.

South Coast Supercar driver Bailey Sweeney leaves Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

“Two of these offences occurred while you were driving a high performance vehicle you should not have been driving, and the other two relate to negligent driving.

“You were taking a racing line through the corners - that’s not appropriate.”

Magistrate Dick reduced Sweeney’s suspension from three months to six weeks.

Ms Henry had applied for a reduction down to just one month, but that was refused.

The appeal comes as Sweeney remains active in the racing community.

Only days before his court appearance, car racing media reported that Sweeney set the racing pace during practise sessions at a circuit in Sandown, Victoria.

Sweeney also told the court he was expected to compete in a Bathurst competition in three weeks time, with his eligibility not being impacted by a lack of road licence.

Instead, Sweeney would be challenged getting to and from the track, as well as his full-time employment at Bunnings in Batemans Bay, without his licence, Ms Henry said.

According to the HMO Customer Racing website, Sweeney “rocketed up the ranks” following a stellar junior career in go-kart racing and two championship wins.

“He continued to chalk-up a collection of prominent trophies in the following years, culminating with NSW and ACT State Championship titles in 2020,” the website states.

“This led to Bailey being selected as a member of the Erebus Motorsport Academy, a junior development program for the Bathurst winning Supercars team, and making his car racing debut in low-key events driving a Hyundai X3 Excel and then stepping-up to a Toyota 86.

“Bailey competed in the national one-make Toyota Gazoo Racing 86 Series in 2021, scoring numerous podium finishes in his rookie season.

“He will dovetail a second season in the Toyota 86 Series with the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Championship, driving a Hyundai i30 N TCR for HMO Customer Racing.”