YOUNG GUN: LACHLAN WARD

Young Gun: Lachlan Ward – Photos: InSyde Media

State Formula Ford racer Lachlan Ward’s passion for motorsport grew from his father’s love of historic Holdens, but he is now aiming to tackle the national title next year.

By HEATH McALPINE

Ward’s garage when he was younger featured two Brock HDT Commodores and Sandman, however he did his best work first on motorbikes before being gifted a kart when he was 14.

“I wanted to [ride motorbikes], but mum and dad had other ideas about that because they’ve seen some horrible crashes,” Ward explained. “They thought we’d stay away from that.

“My dad got me a cheap kart, which we took to Wollongong Kart track where we just did laps and laps.

“It was really fun.”

Contesting KA3, KA4 Junior categories and TAG Open, Ward had success as part of the Wollongong Kart Club where he finished runner up in both the NSW state and Summer Stars titles. He also headed down south where he won the Victorian Junior Top Gun twice in a row.

“We only did karting for three or so years before we moved on,” said Ward. “The first [season] was on and off because we were doing it for fun, but the second and third seasons, that last season we had a pretty good crack contesting four championships.

“We won most of the races we contested and we didn’t want to waste time or money sticking around so we moved on as quick as we could. We raced all over New South Wales from Orange to Tamworth to Dubbo to Lithgow all places everywhere, which was good fun.”

After learning his race craft on the karting circuits, Ward progressed to road racing in mid-2018 where he transitioned into relays first before dividing his season between Legends and Formula Ford.

This proved successful last year as he clinched three titles, the NSW State Formula Ford crown, joined by Legends Australia and NSW Legends honours as well.

“Last year was a pretty chaotic one, though I picked up the NSW Formula Ford Championship, Australian Legends title and the NSW Legends winner, it was pretty cracking season,” Ward detailed.

Also adding Excel races on an off weekend, Ward explained his choice of categories as being cost effective to his tight budget.

“For the track time you get and the competition is unreal considering the Legends cars are cheap to run,” Ward told Auto Action. “We run the same set of tyres and brakes all year, it’s just a great category to run in.

“Formula Ford is a category that has no assists, no abs, no aero, the tyre is a semi-slick, it’s a class that teaches a driver how to race properly and they are a very unforgiving car, which can snap on you at any moment.”

Completing Year 12 this year, the hiatus from racing has meant a renewed focus is on his studies, but he is also putting his previous karting experience to good use by developing the skills of future stars through providing advice and guidance.

“Since I moved into cars, I have been training a lot of kids in karts,” Ward said. “I do a few days with kids and work together, which I’ve found very enjoyable and rewarding to pass on the knowledge.”

Ward works with Motorsport Australia and Anglo Motorsport as well in a similar role.

And where does Ward’s future lie?

The 17-year-old is aiming for Supercars, but before then is an attack on the Australian Formula Ford title and potentially Trans Am. But for Ward, he knows what the leading teams want and that’s what he’s aiming to meet the criteria.

“A lot of the teams look for the package,” Ward told Auto Action. “They want a good communicator with the media, teams want the driver to understand car set-up, it’s not all about driving these days so I think my role as an engineer helps me because I can bring something extra to the team.”

This web edition of Young Guns aims to highlight some of the talent from within the junior ranks. If, like Lachlan you fit the criteria please email [email protected] with a blurb about yourself, the categories you’ve competed in, some imagery to go with the story and contact details.

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