Local hero Ayrton Richardson to make debut in Tassie SuperSprint

The Hobart man named after a F1 superstar is lucky to be alive let alone racing in next weekend’s SuperSprint among some of the wildest drivers in Australia. HIS STORY >>

WHILE supercars will be the star of the show in the Tasmania SuperSprint at Symmons Plains next weekend keep an eye out for local hero Ayrton Richardson making his debut in the Aussie Racing Cars.

Full name Ayrton Senna Richardson after the Brazilian F1 superstar, the 26-year-old from Hobart is lucky to be alive let alone racing in the crazy category among some of the wildest drivers in Australia.

Born with a hole in his heart, Ayrton went to hospital for life-saving heart surgery when he was only 10-years-old.

He caught a golden staph infection and endocarditis _ a life-threatening inflammation of the heart’s inner chambers and valves _ and that almost bought down the chequered flag on the courageous lad’s life.

SYMMONS PLAINS DRIVER

“I was quite sick and got golden staph in my blood stream and endocarditis - it was touch and go for mum and dad for a while there,” Ayrton said.

It took time but when he had recovered, Ayrton’s motor-mad parents took him to Baskerville to watch the racing. One look at the Aussie Race Cars and he caught a different bug.

“It’s where I fell in love with them,” he said.

“They are a brilliant machine. They are like a go-kart on steroids, super-twitchy, really nervous, the braking ability is really crazy and the power-to-weight ratio is phenomenal. The noise makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck.”

Ayrton and his own machine will be part of a mosquito fleet of Aussie Cars racing in four 16-laps races at Symmons, two on Saturday and two on Sunday.

Until now, Ayrton has only taken his Aussie Car around Symmons in club days.

“This will be my first outing in the Aussie Car series so it will be my first proper race in it,” he said.

“It’s going to be exciting and a thrill that’s for sure.

“I’m hoping for a top 10 finish. That would be nice, but just to be among some of the best drivers in that category is going to be fantastic.

“I’m definitely excited and nervous as well, more excited than nervous.”

An Aussie Racing Car is a one-design class where all cars are mechanically identical. Only the outer shells can vary. They weigh a super-light 515kg and are powered by a 1.3-litre 93 kW twin cam 16-valve engine from a Yamaha FJR1300 motorcycle.

As seen on TV, the Aussie Cars produce can’t-look-away racing.

“There will be dive-bombs and lunges under brakes, there will be lots of moves and passes - you could be 10th and then last and then 10th again or first - you don’t know who’s going to finish where until the chequered flag drops,” Ayrton said.

Despite the Senna-style design on his helmet, Ayrton’s motorsport career is based around Aussie Cars.

“I’m not looking to race in Formula One or supercars. Aussie Cars is where I want to drive,” he said.

“I’m just looking to go further in this category and hopefully do a full championship next year.

“This year I’m doing a few races, hopefully Sandown and Bathurst later in the year, and funding it myself. I’d like to find a backer so I can do a full championship next year.”

Ayrton has his first crack at the track in practice on Friday along with the SuperUtes and Tassie Tin Tops support categories.

Led by reigning Bathurst champion and championship leader Chaz Mostert, the Supercars hit the track on Saturday for practice, qualifying and a 44-lap race, and the same on Sunday.