TOM HAYES
MOTORSPORT
By TOM HAYES COMPETING alongside your family can sometimes be just as rewarding as playing in a competition itself. It’s seen regularly at the highest level in many codes across the world, but climbing the ranks together just makes it all the more fun. A pair of brothers from Traralgon are making their mark on the motorsport of saloon racing, as they continue to rise the ranks. For Tom and Jack Braz, they have worked together to reach the top, and are showing no signs of slowing down. Back in March 2021, the brothers began junior saloon racing, sharing a car together. Now, Tom aged 15 and Jack (17) have their own Ford AU Falcons, and are beginning to find success on the track. The pair grew up watching their dad Robert compete in drag racing, so motorsport lies deep within the family. “I’ve had my time, now it’s time to give the boys a go,” Robert said. “We always used to go watch as kids,” Tom said. Robert is heavily invested in his son’s racing careers, as their engine builder and crew boss. Registered at Rosedale Speedway, the two take their family to different points of the state in an attempt to take the chequered flag on race day. The saloon racing season sees around 15 to 16 races from November to May, leaving plenty of time not only to improve, but to succeed. Back in February, the two brothers shared the podium in Ballarat, when Jack came second, with Tom close behind in third. However, they went one better over the Easter weekend, when the brothers collected a one-two finish at Bairnsdale Speedway. This time, it was the younger brother, Tom, getting bragging rights, finding his way to the chequered flag in incredible fashion. Tom passed his brother during the race to cross the line first, winning by the slimmest of margins, just 0.155 seconds ahead of Jack. Jack, who was yet to register his first win, now had more hunger now to get one back over his brother, but their main goal still remains helping each other. “I was proud of him when he won,” Jack said. “We do everything together, pretty much.” “There’s a bit of competition between brothers, as you would have,” Robert said. More recently, the boys travelled around four hours to the Rushworth Speedway, north of Melbourne for another event. This time around Jack claimed his first win, with Tom close behind in second, the boys held the front of the pack for the entire race, completing a one-two finish at the line. Now that they have both tasted victory, they will want to keep it that way for as long as possible. Plenty of preparation goes into each race, including getting the cars ready, packing spare parts and tools and selecting the right tyres on the day. It’s a family affair heading to races, with mum and dad towing the cars along to the speedways, to watch their boys out on the track. The next step for the brothers would be the men’s division, which doesn’t appear to be too far away. A lot of help comes from their sponsors, who help provide parts and help to get the boys prepared for their races. They would like to thank their sponsors, Olivier Panels, Drouin Newsagency, Gippsland Signs, and Traralgon Tyre Service.
