YOUNG GUN – JOSH WEBSTER

Young Gun: Josh Webster – Photos: InSyde Media

Competing against some of Australia’s best on home turf is a rarity for Tasmanians but the leading Hyundai Excel competitor on the Apple Isle, Josh Webster was more than a match for what the mainland had to offer.

By HEATH McALPINE

Son of three-time Tasmanian Improved Production champion Andrew, Webster was always destined to follow in his footsteps, but it wasn’t until his 14th birthday when he got behind the wheel in anger.

“I’ve been around racing for 18-years now because my dad had a Holden Torana SL/R 5000 Improved Production race car,” Webster told Auto Action.

“I’ve definitely grown up around racing, this Hyundai popped up at the right time, right price and since 2015 we’ve been an Excel owner, while I started racing the next season.

“Early on I was on a dirt bike, since I was six, I’ve played around with those, not competitively though. The day after I turned 14, I applied to get a speed licence from CAMS (now Motorsport Australia).

“The late start was due to not having an interest in karts, it was more I wanted to jump straight into car racing.”

A stock Excel was sourced and development has followed with the car exceeding Webster’s expectations.

“It was actually a Hobart Sporting Car Club raffle car,” said Webster. “Unfortunately, we didn’t win it, we just knew the person who won the raffle and towards the end they weren’t getting any use out of it so decided to sell it off.

“They gave it to us a stock standard with Pedders suspension and a single-cam engine in it. We were able to source a second-hand race engine, which we used for three years and it was quite competitive straight away, surprisingly, so we haven’t had to do a whole lot to it.

“It’s been a good car.”

Webster sealed back-to-back Excel titles in 2020, breaking both the Symmons Plains and Baskerville lap records on his way to his second title after previously being runner up in 2017 and 2018.

The turning point for Webster was a trip to The Bend Motorsport Park in 2019 where he was able to improve his driving and the Excel to a point where he was dominant once returning to his home state.

“We went to The Bend Motorsport Park twice in 2019, the first time was just a massive learning experience and a turning point for our speed,” he said. “When I got back in July 2019, we’ve been unbeaten in Tassie (except for last weekend at Race Tasmania).

“It was a turning point in car speed and driver speed as well.”

He has also raced at Phillip Island, an experience that blew Webster away.

More interstate racing is on the cards for Webster this year as he aims to complete a full-season on the mainland

“It’s definitely the plan, we’re working on sponsorship to enable us to compete interstate because we want the competition,” he said.

Webster was on form at both Symmons Plains and Baskerville as part of the Race Tasmania doubleheader where he finished his campaign with two wins, defeating mainland frontrunner Ben Grice.

A trip to Norwell was taken at the end of last year where he was able to compare himself to former Supercars drivers and a recent Bathurst winner.

“That was an amazing experience,” remarked Webster.

“I was working with guys like Steve Owen and Luke Youlden. On the Friday morning, Luke and I did a shootout run where I was only 0.6s off him.

“That just blew my expectations out the water, it was surreal and I didn’t expect it from a little Tassie boy!”

Webster hopes his performances in Excels will provide an opportunity to take the next step.

“To be honest it started as a hobby and it extended from there with our love of the sport.” Webster said. “I don’t have any ambitions because I realise how much of a stretch it is to make it full-time, but if the opportunity arose to become a full-on professional, I wouldn’t say no.

“There is a massive increase in budget to Toyota 86s or something like that. I’d love to, but the Hyundais are the budget class, good fields and starting to be recognised as a feeder category.”

This web edition of Young Guns aims to highlight some of the talents 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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