Surf Beach teen Bailey Sweeny has proved he's on the right track to becoming a supercar champion after five years of kart racing victories.
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The 17-year-old Batemans Bay High student won the Kartshed ACT State Titles on October 3-4, and will swap his kart for a racing car at Mount Panorama from Thursday, October 15.
The state titles were held at the Mark Webber Kart circuit, Canberra, with 154 karters contesting the 10 classes.
Bailey beat two other Australian champions, claiming the fastest qualifying time before coming home first in all heats and the final.
Bailey said he hoped to finish in the top five, and was pleasantly surprised at how convincing the win was.
He began racing karts five years ago and said practice, coaching and staying physically fit helped; so he hits the gym regularly.
Showing his racing potential, Bailey was selected as part of the Erebus/ Penrite V8 Supercars academy, where supercar greats have taken him under their wing.
Australian champions David Reynolds, who won the 2017 Bathurst 1000, and Anton de Pasquale, were some of Bailey's role models.
"It's pretty cool to have someone you look up to mentoring you," Bailey said.
Through his racing, Bailey has paid tribute to his late grandmother, who was one of his greatest supporters. Her inheritance left for Bailey has gone towards funding his racing career.
"Nan was always a fan of racing and came to all my events," Bailey said.
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Bailey will make his debut at the Mount Panorama Circuit, as part of the support category, driving his ALL4 Mechanical Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia 86 car.
He will head to the course on Thursday to practise for the event.
Bailey encouraged all to tune in to the race, which will be televised via Foxtel, Kayo and Network 10.
This year's event has been designed with a COVID Safe Plan, where patrons must physically distance at all times and remain in designated zones.
The 1000km main event will get underway from 11.30am on Sunday.
Bailey thanked his major sponsors All 4 Mechanical, One Life Gym, Bayside Meats and Deli on Perry, Hip Pocket Workwear Batemans Bay, Erebus Motorsport and Pit Lane Media.
There was still room on his car for sponsorship if others wanted to get involved.
Bailey and his family thanked the Eurobodalla Shire community for their support.
For more information, go to https://www.baileysweenyracing.com/