YOUNG GUN – BAYLEY HALL

Young Gun – Bayley Hall

Queenslander Bayley Hall made the most of the limited racing opportunities provided by a challenging 2020 as he is the newest entrant into the Porsche Pyramid development path.

By HEATH McALPINE

Hall started off the year as podium finisher at Bathurst and ended it by impressing leading team McElrea Racing in his first Porsche test.

An association with MARC Cars Australia began in 2018 when Hall contested multiple races with the team in the Australian GT Championship, including the daunting streets of the Gold Coast.

This extended to racing at the Bathurst 12 Hour where Hall teamed with mentor Warren Luff, Geoff Taunton and Brad Schumacher, whilst competing in his trusty MARC I Ford Focus in the Combined Sedans support events.

“It was huge to get used to the big stage,” Hall said of the experience. “You’ve got to start somewhere, Invitational Class was awesome and, in the end, to be the youngest podium finisher at the Bathurst 12 Hour was great.

“Not to mention I was racing the MARC I in the Combined Sedans where I finished second outright as well so I was building my laps at The Mountain, which as a then-16-year-old is a dream come true.”

Not known to Hall was that Bathurst was to be his last event for six months due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed the 17-year-old to attack his school studies, build his fitness and then the advent of E-Sports entered the equation.

“After a six-month break and a lot of school assignments in between,” said Hall.

“I also needed to fit in my fitness, which Phil Young at GB Performance sorted me out through the year. I had to get through all of my schoolwork as best I could by utilising my mornings and afternoons to the best of my ability.

“I was non-sociable for a while trying to get ahead and then I had to jump on the E-Sports train mid-year, but I believe it best prepared me through adapting to different cars very quickly.”

The Tin Top support class provided Hall’s return to racing at Townsville, another new circuit for the Queenslander to attack racing the MARC II Ford Mustang.

“It was a lot to learn, the layout of the Townsville track was fun to drive and it feels a lot more open than the Gold Coast, but still remains unforgiving so that was what I really enjoyed,” explained Hall.

This was followed by another round of Tin Tops at The Bend Motorsport Park, which was another circuit Hall needed to learn of which he enjoyed the experience.

“The Bend is probably one of my favourite circuits I’ve raced at, outside of Bathurst,” Hall remarked. “It was so fast and flowing, which really tested me as a driver to keep it smooth, but I managed to emerge with the class win from both events.”

Hall’s journey in motor sport began with his father’s interest, first in road cars with Hall’s dad Roy owning Toranas and Falcons, before gaining an interest in V8 Supercars, which transitioned to his son.

The younger Hall’s interest wasn’t just restricted to the television, he started karting at the age of six racing around Queensland with some success. This was followed by a Hyundai Excel at 14 and a throbbing V8 Holden Commodore the next year.

Another mentor in Hall’s corner is his Bathurst 12 Hour co-driver Luff.

“He’s told me a few times that I’m like a son to him,” Hall said.

“We get on like a house on fire and we have a good mutual relationship. We all know his success, plus his skill and knowledge behind the wheel so it’s a huge asset to me and the whole McElrea Racing team to work with Luffy in the years to come.”

A new challenge awaits Hall for 2021 where he’ll compete in the hotly contested second-tier Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge. It was the best option for Hall in terms of budget and opportunity as he aims to replicate Matt Campbell in climbing the Porsche Pyramid.

“I would love to receive opportunities in Supercars, but unfortunately money always plays a factor,” Hall summarised. “I think the Porsche Pyramid is not only one of the best development pathways in the world, but more reasonable for someone like me and my family.”

Hall’s expecting a tough battle on his way to hopefully racing sports cars overseas.

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