Melton’s Jordyn Charge isn’t old enough to have a full car licence, but he certainly knows how to drive.
In just his second season of Sprintcar competitions, the 17-year-old is a state champion with the Parr Motorsports Sprintcar Racing Association’s Victorian 360 sprintcar title on his belt.
Charge claimed the state title after winning the SRA 360 Gold Cup at Hamilton’s Western Speedway – his first win in sprintcars.
“I was still amazed to be given that opportunity,” he said. “We had the opportunity to start on the front row.
“I was pretty happy with that … in the back of my mind I thought I could do it.”
Despite the race stopping early due to crashes, Charge maintained speed and his second position, keeping the pressure on defending Victorian champion Michael Tancredi.
A mistake from Tancredi on lap 18 gave Charge the lead. It was a nervous few moments for the youngster when the race was stopped on lap 23 because of another crash.
He managed to keep his cool and on his 24th lap recorded the fastest lap of the race.
“It didn’t help the nerves,” he said of the second break. “I was a bit nervous but I kept my head.
“I didn’t know I’d done the fastest lap until afterwards. I entered the corner differently and, it helped me open the gap.
“I’ve never felt such an amazing feeling.”
Charge, who was last season’s Sprintcar Racing Association of Victoria rookie of the year, got into sprintcars because both his parents love the sport.
He started racing junior quarter midgets cars when he was just five, going on to win state and national titles in that class of racing.
His father, Mark, raced sprintcars for a few years, before deciding to focus on his son’s career.
Charge is hoping this is a start of a long run in sprintcars.
“My goal is to race in America and do it full-time,” he said.
“Trying to get into racing and getting the support needed is difficult.
“It’s big over there … several NASCAR drivers started in sprintcars. I’d be happy to race NASCAR if I got the opportunity.
“The goal though, is to race sprintcars over there.”
Charge, who races for Incharge Racing, was due to race in Warrnambool at the weekend
