Jake Portelli is Australia’s youngest drag racer. 82737 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By XAVIER SMERDON
AT JUST 14-years-old a Hoppers Crossing teenager is making a name for himself as the youngest drag racer in Australia.
Jake Portelli first got into racing after seeing his dad Mick win awards like Best Burnout in the sport.
Since March this year he has managed to take part in five different race meets and earlier this month he took out second overall at the Ford Forums National competition.
The rev head beat out more than 100 other drivers, all much older than himself, and only came in second because he was disqualified from the final race for taking off too early.
Jake said his 30 and 40-year-old competitors were often shocked to see they were racing against a 14-year-old.
“They always look at me and they give me the thumbs up,” Jake said.
“People go up to my dad and say that I’m going to go a long way.”
Jake was only allowed to take part in the event after the owner of Heathcote Park Raceway, Russell Clarke, gave him the all clear.
“We didn’t know if I would be allowed to race but he said I could,” he said.
“But at any other race park they won’t let me.”
While it would be most young boy’s dream to be allowed to reach speeds of up to 190 kilometres an hour in a car while a crowd cheers them on, Jake said he was not fazed by it.
“I can’t see the crowd. I just don’t take any notice,” he said.
“When I’m driving I’m just thinking about the car, it’s like nothing else is there.”
Anyone interested in sponsoring Jake can call 0423 746 444.
