The Goodyer name is well established in Australian speedway circles and with the family’s first generation racer recently stepping into Formula 500s, youngster Jock Goodyer is thoroughly enjoying his foray into the class.

With the D&B Goodyer Developments Racing team having been operational for 15 years, with drivers the calibre of American racer Craig Dollansky, Ian Madsen, David Murcott, Mitchell Dumesny, Adrian Redpath and Jason Dawkins filling the driver’s seat of the team’s Sprintcar, team owner and Jock’s dad, Darren, couldn’t be happier to see his son piloting the ex-Marcus Kelly Tas # 7 D&B Goodyer Developments backed CS9 car, with a view to eventually race 410 Sprintcars.

Goodyer has had a promising start to his debut season in Formula 500s, first hitting the track recently at Hobart Solo Speedway, where he managed to come away with a pleasing third-place finish in the feature race. Backing up this solid form a fortnight later at Carrick Speedway, Goodyer was comfortably leading the feature race, before being forced to retire, due to mechanical issues.

“We’ve had a really good start to Formula 500s, but there’s still so much to learn and I’m very excited about continuing to progress,” explained the 16-year-old Launceston, Tasmania-based racer, who also has a keen interest in playing basketball and AFL, which help him to keep his fitness levels in check.

“The car has been great so far, but having only just stepped into the class, I’m still adjusting to it and trying to learn the ropes.

“I have to say a huge thank you to my team and sponsors, along with Craig Munday, who has been teaching me all about car maintenance, Marcus Kelly, my team-mate Callum Zizek and Louis Maney for all of their amazing support.”

Prior to joining Formula 500s, Goodyer contested one season in Speedway Karts, and the highlight of his time in the class was a second-place finish in the Grand National event at Hobart Solo Speedway.

Planning to contest the remaining few shows in Tasmania, which is this Saturday night at Hobart Solo Speedway and then the following Saturday night (April 1) at Carrick Speedway, Goodyer will then make the trip over to the mainland, where he will contest the Australian Championship at Murray Bridge Speedway in South Australia on Good Friday and Easter Saturday (April 14 and 15).

“I’m very excited to travel over to the mainland for the first time and go up against some of the best Formula 500 drivers in the country,” Goodyer enthused.

“The goal is to hopefully qualify for the feature race, but I’m just going to try my best and use the Australian Championship as an opportunity to gain more experience.”

Following the Australian Championship, Goodyer plans to extend his visit to the mainland, contesting race meetings at Sydney’s Valvoline Raceway (NSW) on April 22 and at Brisbane’s Archerfield Speedway (Qld) on April 29.

Goodyer would like to thank the following 2016-17 season sponsors for their valued support: D&B Goodyer Developments, Joinery Products, Select Plumbing, MK Excavations, and JP Signs. He would also like to give special thanks to his mum and dad (Belinda and Darren), sisters (Brooke and Abbi), his sister Brooke’s fianc� Callum Zizek, his sister Abbi’s boyfriend Louis Maney, Craig Munday and Marcus Kelly.

To find out more about Goodyer and his team, LIKE them on Facebook by searching D&B Goodyer Developments.

Photo courtesy of Angryman Photography.