From Port Lincoln to Mount Panorama
A Port Lincoln teenager is set to live a childhood dream when he races at Bathurst’s Mount Panorama in April this year.
Jett Zerk will make his debut at the famous track at the age of 16, making him one of the youngest drivers ever to race at the iconic track.
Inspired by his father Hagen who also raced at Bathurst, Jett won Rookie of the Year last year and drove his way into a top ten placing in his first season as part of the South Australian Circuit Excel Racing Association (CERA) series.
What makes this even more amazing is that he got to this stage without a track to train on as Jett’s closest track is Mallala which is close to 600 kilometres away and his favourite track, The Bend at Tailem Bend, is ten hours from home.
The only way that Jett was able to practice was with a racing car simulator. He has been practicing for Bathurst on a simulator that is parked in his bedroom.
Jett said it was an easy decision last year when his dad asked him about racing at Bathurst this year.
“It’s a once in a lifetime experience, I am thrilled about it,” he said.
“I was gaming at the time when Dad came into my bedroom last year and asked me if I wanted to race at Bathurst and it was a no brainer for me. It is a dream come true and I can’t wait.”
Jett started racing go karts at the age of seven after being inspired by his father who raced at Bathurst in 2015.
In April, Jett will be driving a Hyundai Excel with the vehicle getting up to over 200 kilometres and considered to be the most challenging track in Australia but despite having never driven the track he said it was a challenge that excited him.
“Ever since I started racing go karts, I have always liked the speed and racing and it’s always stuck with me, I am not scared by it at all,” he said.
“My mates play footy but that doesn’t really interest me, motorsport is just something different that I have always liked and I look up to Max Verstappen in the Formula One and my dream is to one day be an F1 driver, we will see what happens.”
Hagen said he was so excited for his son and the opportunity he has to race at Bathurst.
“It is so good that Jett has got the opportunity to do it, we went and did time trials at Tailem Bend and he was quicker than me in the same car so he can definitely drive,” he said.
“He may not be focused on it when he’s a bit older when he might be out partying and chasing the girls but it’s up to him.
“There were only 55 spots available and they had over 100 entries and Jett will be one of the youngest drivers on the track which is what makes it even more impressive.
“The panel select who they would let race at Bathurst so for Jett to be chosen as one of the eligible drivers at Bathurst is pretty special and we are all very happy for him.
“We will just be happy to throw the car into the trailer in one piece after the race so hopefully he goes okay.”
Jett can race Hyundai Excel’s locally at a younger age, however, to be eligible to race at Bathurst there is a minimum age requirement of 16 and Jett will turn 16 two weeks prior which allowed him to qualify.
The other requirement to race Bathurst which Jett had to fulfil was that drivers had to do enough racing when they became 16 to tick them off as having their full circuit racing licence
Hagen said they were extremely thankful to all the sponsors and friends and family as well as the media that had publicised what Jett had done along the way.
