YOUNG GUN – MARCUS FRASER

Young Gun – Marcus Fraser

An apprentice plumber from rural Victoria, Marcus Fraser is one of the top competitors in the Victorian Hyundai Excel Series and has emerged as one of the best young drivers in the class in a true father-son effort.

By HEATH McALPINE

The Bairnsdale-local ended his season on a high by winning the one-hour endurance event at Sandown, defeating the likes of TCR Australia rookie Jay Hanson and national frontrunner Ben Grice.

It was his major win in the class in an Excel constructed by him and his father, providing a proud family moment.

“It was a huge relief of our back, but at the same time as much as it was a relief you have to still keep going at it and not be content because a race was won,” Fraser told AUTO ACTION.

“You’ve got to keep looking forward!”

Penalties handed out to his two key rivals for pit lane infractions didn’t define the race according to Fraser.

“As much as the penalties did help us, Jay did have a lot of speed aboard that car after his penalty and even after his pit stop, but we actually came out in front of them previous to this,” he explained.

“Obviously, it did help, but it’s not really how you want to win, you’d prefer a nice clean battle at the end, though a win’s a win.”

Fraser’s career in motorsport can be traced back to his father beginning his journey in 2005. A latecomer, Fraser’s father had a mate at work, who encouraged him to start, before Fraser himself was given a kart in 2007 to race at Bairnsdale’s local track.

“I had a little Tony Kart and that was just for fun until I got a CRG in 2009 to build up our progress,” Fraser recalled.

“My results were a bit all over the shop in karts, I think the biggest achievement for me was my last in karts where I won the ‘Champions of Champions’ race at Puckapunyal at the Junior Sprint Classic in 2016.

“One of the best experiences during karting was doing the whole national karting series in 2015, travelling all around Australia including Ipswich. It was good to race against Jack Doohan, Broc Feeney, Christian Pancione and Declan Fraser, drivers that have moved up.

“It’s cool to look back on.”

Fraser came close to winning the state karting title in his last year thanks to the guidance of a Bairnsdale local, experienced karter Nick Stray.

“We did the set-up by ourselves, dad taught me the basics on how to drive, but then we met a bloke named Nick Stray, who raced karts previously and he travelled around with us aiding in set-up and driving,” said Fraser. “You could say he was my driver trainer.”

In late-2016, the purchase of a Hyundai Excel provided the next challenge after watching the Korean buzz boxes compete at Sandown previously. Although Formula Vee and Formula Ford were considered, the sheer number of Excels competing had Fraser excited to join the fray.

“At the end of 2016 we bought a car off Adam Bywater, who has been around the category a long time,” Fraser recounted. “We raced that in the 2017 state series before we began building a new car in the middle of that year, which I drive now. Just me and my old man built it in the shed, we have done upgrades to the car like replacing the stock engine, which we used at the start

“It’s been a learning process.”

Not initially viewed as a developmental category, Excels off the back of Jaylyn Robotham and Michael Clemente has bucked the trend, which hasn’t gone unnoticed by Fraser.

“I didn’t think initially Excels was a category you could be picked up from, but now that I’ve noticed more people get opportunities out of it, I now realise it could be a stepping stone towards something,” said Fraser.

For Fraser, his aim is to progress to Toyota 86s due to its ease of entry and the exposure it receives, but budget is still required.

“As much as I’d like to move up, it’s really down to money and budget,” Fraser explained.

“I’m not really willing to put my family under that stress to do that and it’s just something that I’ve seen before through karts or cars.

“Something that I’d like to do is Toyota 86s. It’s an accessible category for someone like me on the Supercars bill.”

Fraser is currently raising money for Breast Cancer Awareness and is currently growing a mullet, which will be shaved very soon. To donate, follow this link and keep an eye on his social media channels for a livestream of the event.

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