Champion speedway driver John Lodge jnr has won his way onto the starting grid in the V8 Utes at the Newcastle 500 courtesy of an early birthday present from his dad.
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“I was wrapped when dad said he had entered and paid for me to go in the Aussie Driver Search as an early birthday present,” Kurri Kurri’s Lodge, who turns 28 on November 19, said.
“I thought that’s pretty cool, I’ll have a go, but never thought it would progress any further than a great day out.”
John Lodge snr had entered his son in the V8 ute category of the Aussie Driver Search with the top prize a drive in the category at the Newcastle 500.
His early birthday gift just kept on giving, with Lodge jnr qualifying fourth of five drivers from the NSW section at Eastern Creek on October 2 to compete against the top 15 drivers from around Australia last week.
“I went down to Sydney on October 2 and there were 35 drivers in the ute category and I ended up qualifying in the top four berth.
“It meant I got to go to the next round. It was enough for me I was happy enough with that. To be in the top 15 was incredible as there are five drivers from Queensland, Victoria and NSW.
“I didn’t expect anything. I’m speedway driver I never thought I’d have a chance.”
However, Lodge’s racing instincts served him well and he progressed from the top 15 to the top eight and then the final three.
Australian V8 Ute Racing Series leader and three-times champion Ryan Harris judged the final 15 and narrowed down the would-be drivers to Lodge.
His prize a start in Harris’ 2016 Ford V8 ute in the final race of the 2017 Australian series at Newcastle on November 26.
”Getting to spend time with Ryan and getting advice from him was great,” Lodge said.
”I made it into the top eight and I was pretty happy with myself.
“I went out for another drive with Ryan and I made it into the top three.
“I was shocked by now. I never thought in my wildest dreams I’d do go that far.
“I was just driving a ute, that’s what I do.
“Ryan pretty much come to me and said ‘I’d done the quickest time of the day in the last session and I was consistent and he didn’t have any problems putting me forward’.
“The other bloke in contention spun out and locked up his brakes a couple of times.
“The $800 spent on my present has got me a drive at the Newcastle 500.”
Lodge said it was an incredible opportunity to race on a circuit, but he would not be putting any pressure on himself.
“I still can’t believe it, but I’ll take it and give it my best,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a career highlight for me at this stage.”
