YOUNG GUN: JOSH ANDERSON

Young Gun: Josh Anderson

Just for fun, that’s how current Aussie Racing Car Series leader Josh Anderson started his journey into motorsport.

By HEATH McALPINE

The third-year Mechanical Engineering student at West Sydney University idolised Mark Skaife growing up and has quickly emerged as a title contender in the popular Supercars support class in the last few seasons. This was highlighted by winning the Bathurst round last year on his way to third in the title and followed by winning the opening round in Adelaide.

All these achievements have been a surprise to Anderson, who competes for the enjoyment rather than strictly for career advancement.

“I dabbled in karting, nothing serious, I never had any thoughts into racing beyond having fun and that was because my step dad was focused on his racing, which was just for fun too,” Anderson told Auto Action.

“He stopped in 2016 and I was getting into sim racing around the same time seriously, but expressed a desire to race the Aussie Racing Car before my dad sold it.”

Anderson’s step father, Darren Chamberlain is a previous series winner in the category so there was only direction that the young driver was going to take after helping him at the race track for a number of seasons.

When Anderson first tested at Wakefield Park, it was impressive enough to score a drive for the Townsville round in 2017, then Newcastle before undertaking the past two seasons and the start of 2020.

Anderson is a massive advocate for Aussie Racing Cars due to the excitement of the racing and as it is on the Supercars bill, driving some of the best circuits on offer in this country.

“I really enjoy it,” Anderson enthused. “It’s one of the cheapest categories racing on the Supercars undercard.

“Generally, there’s 25-30 cars per round, there is plenty of track time, the cars are awesome to drive, they’re not overly technical to drive.

“Having a short wheelbase and a light weight means you have to drive them quite aggressively. The racing last year was really close between Justin Ruggier and Kel Treseder, the battling among the top group was fun and I’ve learnt heaps.”

An experienced sim racer as well, Anderson qualified for the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup during summer, regarded as one of the highest-level series online. Anderson is part of the Vendaval Sim Racing squad where he has represented the team in the VRS GT iRacing World Championship, finishing 10th and also offers one-on-one coaching in the format.

Anderson’s aims for the future are based around the fun he has behind the wheel rather than the car he is driving and he doesn’t want the seriousness to be at the detriment of his enjoyment.

“I’d love to be able to race professionally, I think that’s any driver’s goal, but I’m very realistic and don’t want to dilute my enjoyment of what I’m doing,” Anderson said.

“People would give their left leg to go racing, I’m aware that I’m lucky to be racing, I’m just going to make sure I have fun and if an opportunity does arise, I would love to take it.”

This web edition of Young Guns aims to highlight some of the talent from within the junior ranks. If, like Josh, 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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