SALOON RACING
By TOM HAYES
RECENTLY completing their latest saloon racing seasons were Traralgon brothers Jack and Tom Braz.
The season just passed presented some new challenges for the pair, as they would no longer be driving in the same class, as 18-year-old Jack progressed up into the senior Men’s Standard Saloon class.
Jack seemingly moved into a higher class without any troubles, winning at Bairnsdale and coming runner-up at Rosedale throughout the season.
Competing with seasoned drivers, Jack also completed a fourth place finish in the Victorian State Title.
His most remarkable moment of the season however was when he took out the Victorian Standard Saloon Super Series, which saw him travel all over the state, stopping in places such as Wahgunyah, Wangaratta, Alexandra, Nyora, and Rosedale.
As first seasons in such competitions go, this certainly was one to look back on, impressing as the season continued.
Jack admitted the step-up in class meant that the competitiveness and speed was turned up a notch.
“(It was) hard to pass and (there was) a lot more cars in the races,” he said.
“I had my best season ever in Speedway for my first year in Men’s. I keep trying to improve my driving from one race meeting to the next, also learning more about how to set up the car for different tracks… and engine building.”
Sixteen-year-old Tom’s stock continued to rise, taking his racing to the next level in the Junior Standard Saloon class.
He tallied multiple wins and seemed to thrive on local tracks including Bairnsdale and Rosedale specifically. Tom also took out the Skidz Next-Gen Standard Saloon Showdown – a series of four meetings.
He won on club points at Bairnsdale and Rosedale for a junior driver.
Unlike his brother, Tom got unlucky during the Victorian Junior State Titles. It’s reported he suffered a flat tyre which put him out of contention, which might’ve been a relief for other drivers.
His best moment of the season was when he went back-to-back, winning two races in two days at Rosedale Speedway for the Colin Stewart Memorial.
“I had my best season ever in juniors,” Tom said.
He told the Express that next season he hopes to “be more patient, pick the right times to pass the other competitors, and make sure my bonnet clips are in which I forgot a few times this season”.
Heading into his last junior season, Tom looks forward to the challenge ahead.
“It will be my last year in juniors. I would love to finish at the pointy end of the Victorian State Title, that would be fantastic,” he said.
“When I go into Men’s, I’ll be racing with my brother again, which will be competitive and fun.”
The boy’s father, Robert, was proud of their efforts after yet another long and progressive season.
“We had a fantastic season. It was a huge effort, keeping two cars on the track all year, countless of hours in the sheds with the boys, and Mum taking care of all the other stuff like packing race gear, helmets, lunches, logbooks, as well as towing (the cars) all around Victoria, she does a fantastic job,” Robert said.
“We completed 28 race meetings for the season… as parents, we could not be prouder of the boys, what they have achieved, especially in the short amount of time they have been in the sport.”
Jack, Tom, and Robert would all like to thank all for their assistance, particularly: Traralgon Tyre Service, Burson Auto Parts Traralgon, Gippsland Signs, Traralgon Gippsland Dyno Tuning, Oliver Panel Beaters, Autobarn Traralgon, and the Dennis, Galagher, and Haley families.
