Toowoomba teen wins Australia Speedway award after huge year

He’s too young to drive with L-plates but this teen tyro has already had his share of high speed spills. Find out why he’s seen as a rising star of motor sport.

Toowoomba's Charlie Bowen in action Junior Formula 500 race. Picture: Rock Solid Productions

Charlie Bowen lives his life at two very distinct speeds.

Most weekends it can flash by at up to 125kmh as Bowen tests the limits of his Junior Formula 500 sprintcar.

When he’s not racing Bowen’s life goes by at a decidedly slower pace with the 15-year-old casting a line or camping with friends if he gets the opportunity.

Motorsport is his true passion though with Bowen racing go-karts since age six before moving into junior speedway over the last three years.

“Speedway and racing is a really big part of my life,” Bowen said.

“I do a little bit of fishing here and there with my mates, maybe go out on the boat or camp for a weekend it’s good to get away a bit and catch up with them.

“But everything is pretty much around racing at the moment.

“It’s what I love so I don’t mind doing it all the time.

“It’s exciting and there is so much opportunity.”

Racing is not without its challenges though.

While still not old enough to hold a Learner’s License, Bowen has experienced things that would turn more experienced people of driving for a very long time.

He’s been involved in race crashes and flipped his car a few times but it has never turned him off his passion.

“I was pretty fortunate in go-karts. I didn’t have any big crashes or flips,” he said.

“In speedway I’ve had a couple of flips which probably sounds daunting to people but nothing really serious.

“I’ve never gotten hurt or broken a bone from speedway.

“You just get back up and you go again the next weekend.

“The past is what’s behind you.

Charlie Bowen celebrates a race win.

Charlie Bowen celebrates being named Australian Speedway 2024 Junior Competitor of the Year. Picture: Skene Media.

“I just try and move on every time, get back in do my best the next weekend not let the bad stuff get you down and have fun.”

Opportunity is knocking now for Bowen who will make the switch to the 410 Sprintcar category soon.

He will make the switch off the back of his most successful race season to date.

Traversing the east coast of Australia from Bundaberg and Toowoomba all the way down to Melbourne he has won multiple races and set track records.

He won 11 of the 15 feature races he drove in including the 2024 Australian Junior 500 Easter Challenge, Summer Series Championship and two of the three Formula 500 Speedweek events in Victoria.

Bowen set track records in Bundaberg, Toowoomba and Lismore and was recently named Australian Speedway Junior Competitor of the Year.

“Honestly it was a pretty big surprise,” Bowen said of his award win.

“I’m really happy and honoured to receive the award – hard works pays off I guess and other people can see that.

“I was really happy to take the award and it’s really amazing for my team as well.

“It’s definitely been our best season yet.

“It is a lot of hard work on the track and behind the scenes.

“We try to get the best gear we can but it’s still about hard work.

“It’s definitely not just about me driving.

“Dad, my family and my crew they’re always to help, they’re a big part of the crew.

“It’s what they do with the car, how they help and understand what I’m feeling in the car.

“Everything I do in a weekend is all thanks to them.”