If you get the chance to watch youngster Ollie Roycroft behind the wheel of his 120 Open Class racer, straight away you get a sense that racing must be in his blood.
Even at the remarkable age of seven, young Ollie shows knowledge beyond his years as he tackles the clay tracks across Victoria with bravery and sublime skill.
But racing is in his blood.
Ollie is a fourth-generation racer ― on both sides of the family ― and it’s no surprise to see the young pocket rocket ascend to the top already before he reaches double digits on his birthday cake.
Ollie was crowned the state series and track champ at the Victorian junior quarter midget series ― a feat that is certain to not be the last personal accolade of his career.
Having watched him sit behind the wheel and race since he was five, Ollie’s mum Felicity spoke about her talented junior racer.
“He’s done so well, we’re so, so proud of him,” Felicity said this week.
“He put together some great results and he was able to win the series. It’s a big thing because there’s about 16 or 17 drivers from across Victoria and they’re all really good young drivers.
“He’s been racing since he was five ... each time it makes me want to cry, I get so nervous.
“But he drives so smoothly, he’s a really good driver already. He just goes out there and just gives it his all.”
With younger brother Nate, 5, soon to follow in Ollie’s footsteps, Felicity said the young Roycrofts would be duking it out on the racetrack in no time.
Expect big things from Ollie and Nate, after all, their parents Felicity and father Shane, have grown up racing too.
Mum and dad are speedway enthusiasts, with the Kialla-based duo racing Street Stocks and Sports Sedans.
With a strong pedigree, it’s no surprise that the fourth generation racer is winning silverware already.
At the recent junior quarter midget Victoria presentation dinner, Ollie was quick to remind everyone in attendance who was the best in the family.
“At the recent presentation dinner Ollie was asked who the better driver out of Mum or Dad is and he had a cheeky little grin on his face and replied ‘I am’,” Felicity said with a laugh.
Even if the answer to that question is still up for debate, there’s no denying Ollie is one young speed demon to keep an eye on.