Sepang To South Australia For Jones

24 November 2009

As the son of a V8 Supercar driver and team owner, Macauley Jones knows what it is like to spend almost every weekend at the race track.

However, this weekend Jones will do something that his famous father has never done – race in one country one weekend and another the next.

Macauley Jones with father Brad
after finishing third at
the 2009 Rotax Nationals.
(Pic: photowagon.com.au)

Last weekend 15 year-old Jones competed in the RedWhite Sangari Invitational Kart Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, tomorrow (Wednesday) he arrives in Adelaide to begin his preparations for this weekend’s South Australian Karting Championships at the Bolivar Raceway.

“Last weekend was an amazing experience, to race in another country against drivers from all across the world on a sensational track was just great,” said Jones.

Jones was one of the front-runners all throughout last weekend’s event before crashing out of the final when he slid off the track during a sudden downpour of rain. While disappointed with the end result he believes that it has made him hungrier for success in Adelaide this weekend.

“Even though the overall result wasn’t there I feel as though I learnt a lot over the weekend in Sepang,” said Jones.

“I really felt as though I had a chance at winning, I had made my way to second but then just got caught out by a puddle during the downpour which speared me off the track and into the wall.

“It was a disappointing way to end the event but I’ve only got a few days before my next race and I’m now more determined than ever to succeed in Adelaide this weekend.”

Earlier this year Jones secured his maiden state championship by taking out the Junior National Heavy category in Queensland. He then backed it up with victory the Formula JMA class in the recent New South Wales Championships at Sydney’s Oran Park Raceway.

While proud of his protégé’s achievements Macauley’s father Brad says that watching his youngster from the sidelines makes him more nervous than when he climbs behind the wheel.

“Sure, I got nervous sometimes when I was racing but watching Macauley race takes getting nervous to another level,” said Brad Jones.

Jones in action behind the wheel of his Arrow kart
(Pic: photowagon.com.au)

“I’m very proud of what he has already been able to achieve in his career so far. The sport of karting has provided us both with a lot of joy and has really brought us closer as father and son.

“Macauley wants to go on to race cars in his career and kart racing is almost essential if someone wants to go on to be a racing car driver. It's not only a good grounding for racing but it's also good grounding for anyone who is going to drive a car, learning co-ordination and balance and control."

Jones will be one of almost 300 competitors taking to the Bolivar Raceway this weekend for the State Championships with qualifying beginning on Friday followed by heat races on Saturday and the championship finals on Sunday.