Mason Kelly to follow in father’s Supercars steps
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 2 March 2023
Mason Kelly will follow in his father’s footsteps and make his Supercars debut at Super3 level in Newcastle next weekend.
Mason, 18, is the son of 2005 Bathurst 1000 winner Todd Kelly, will drive the same Nissan Altima his dad drove during his final full-time season in 2017.
Amazingly, the teen will make his debut in the same chassis and same location as his father when he completed his 541st and final Supercars race six years earlier. He will also sport #22 which Todd carried in eight of his 19 Supercars wins.
Todd Kelly racing the KR 007 Nissan Altima chassis during his final Supercars race at Newcastle in 2017. Image: Daniel Kalisz/LAT Images
Mason Kelly will also run under the Kelly Racing banner, which returns after the Supercars team founded by Bathurst winning brothers Todd and Rick Kelly was fully taken-over by Grove Racing in 2022.
The second generation racer has progressed through the ranks of grassroots motorsport, starting in karts before taking on state-level competitions such as Hyundai Excel’s.
In November last year the younger Kelly raced the KR 007 chassis in 2016 Carsales colours at the Historic Sandown event in the Sports Sedans category, while he has got up to speed with a series of test days.
Mason Kelly driving the Nissan Altima in 2016 Carsales colours at the Historic Sandown event in November last year. Image: Thomas Miles
But now Mason Kelly will get to showcase his talents in the Supercars spotlight and he cannot wait to do so admitting it will be “weird” starting his career where Todd’s finished.
“I’ve done a few races in a Marc car and a few test days in the Altima, but to make a race start on the Super3 grid will definitely be a new experience,” said Mason Kelly.
“It’s weird how it worked out – same car and same event as dad’s last Supercars race. I was there for that race and I’m glad he is going to be looking over my shoulder for my first race.
Mason Kelly will make his Super3 debut and bring back Kelly Racing in a #22 Nissan Altima at Newcastle. Image: Supplied
“It’s going to be a great experience.”
Despite the natural excitement seeing another Kelly on a Supercars circuit after Todd and Rick took a combined 32 Supercars wins, including three straight Bathurst 1000 wins, Mason is not looking any further than getting through his first race.
“I’m really looking forward to it, but I’m not going into Newcastle with any expectations,” he said.
“My focus is to finish all the sessions, improve as the weekend goes along and bring the car back with no damage.
“Because we haven’t been to Newcastle for a few years, I don’t think many people on the Super2 or Super3 grid will have been to the track before.
“You could expect some carnage over the weekend, so I just want to stay out of trouble.”
Since hanging up the helmet after 18 years at the top level, Todd Kelly has not been seen much around the Supercars world and admitted he did not plan on returning so soon.
Todd Kelly sprays the champagne after winning the Sandown finale of his maiden full-time Supercars season in 2001. Image: Motorsport Images
But with his son Mason now behind the wheel, the former Holden Racing Team star is fully onboard for the family’s next chapter.
“I wasn’t expecting to get back into Supercars so quickly. It was a short lived retirement from pit lane, but I definitely have a good reason for it,” said Todd Kelly.
“Mason has progressed well in his racing. He really impressed us with his level headed attitude all the way through his racing so far.
“We have everything we need to give Mason a good shot at it. The infrastructure from the old Kelly Racing is all there to run a Super3 team, and with the help of some good friends, we are just going to get him out there and see how we go.
“Personally, it’s very exciting. My little guy is making his Supercars debut. I remember making my Supercars debut. It’s a big moment, and we know that he is ready for this next step.”
Mason Kelly and the rest of the Dunlop Series field will be racing on the streets of Newcastle on March 10-12.
For more of the latest motorsport news and a bumper F1 and IndyCar season preview, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.
AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport
Recent Stories
array (
0 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 11,
'name' => 'Latest News',
'slug' => 'latest-news',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 11,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => '',
'parent' => 0,
'count' => 16565,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 11,
'category_count' => 16565,
'category_description' => '',
'cat_name' => 'Latest News',
'category_nicename' => 'latest-news',
'category_parent' => 0,
)),
1 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 38,
'name' => 'Supercars',
'slug' => 'supercars',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 38,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => 'The Supercars Championship, currently known as the Repco Supercars Championship, is the premier motorsport category in Australasia and one of Australia\'s biggest sports. It originated from the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC), which held its first race in 1960 at Gnoo-Blas in Orange, New South Wales. The ATCC evolved over the years, and in 1997, it was rebranded as the V8 Supercars Championship, eventually becoming the Supercars Championship we know today.
Some of the leading drivers in the history of the Supercars Championship include Peter Brock, who is often referred to as the "King of the Mountain" for his nine victories at the Bathurst 1000, a race that is considered one of the biggest in the series. Other notable drivers include Dick Johnson, Marcos Ambrose, Craig Lowndes, Shane van Gisbergen, Jamie Whincup, who holds the record for the most championship titles, and Mark Skaife, who has also been a dominant force in the series.
The Bathurst 1000, held at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, is arguably the most famous race in the Supercars calendar. Other significant races include the Sandown 500 and the Adelaide 500, which are known for their challenging circuits and thrilling competitions.
The Supercars Championship has grown to become a globally recognized series, known for its competitive racing and passionate fan base. It continues to be a major part of Australia\'s motorsport culture, attracting top drivers and teams from around the world.',
'parent' => 0,
'count' => 5544,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 38,
'category_count' => 5544,
'category_description' => 'The Supercars Championship, currently known as the Repco Supercars Championship, is the premier motorsport category in Australasia and one of Australia\'s biggest sports. It originated from the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC), which held its first race in 1960 at Gnoo-Blas in Orange, New South Wales. The ATCC evolved over the years, and in 1997, it was rebranded as the V8 Supercars Championship, eventually becoming the Supercars Championship we know today.
Some of the leading drivers in the history of the Supercars Championship include Peter Brock, who is often referred to as the "King of the Mountain" for his nine victories at the Bathurst 1000, a race that is considered one of the biggest in the series. Other notable drivers include Dick Johnson, Marcos Ambrose, Craig Lowndes, Shane van Gisbergen, Jamie Whincup, who holds the record for the most championship titles, and Mark Skaife, who has also been a dominant force in the series.
The Bathurst 1000, held at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, is arguably the most famous race in the Supercars calendar. Other significant races include the Sandown 500 and the Adelaide 500, which are known for their challenging circuits and thrilling competitions.
The Supercars Championship has grown to become a globally recognized series, known for its competitive racing and passionate fan base. It continues to be a major part of Australia\'s motorsport culture, attracting top drivers and teams from around the world.',
'cat_name' => 'Supercars',
'category_nicename' => 'supercars',
'category_parent' => 0,
)),
2 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 2029,
'name' => 'ZZZ-Email',
'slug' => 'email',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 2029,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => '',
'parent' => 2031,
'count' => 7123,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 2029,
'category_count' => 7123,
'category_description' => '',
'cat_name' => 'ZZZ-Email',
'category_nicename' => 'email',
'category_parent' => 2031,
)),
3 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 2031,
'name' => 'ZZZ-RSSFeeds',
'slug' => 'zzz-rssfeeds',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 2031,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => '',
'parent' => 0,
'count' => 6478,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 2031,
'category_count' => 6478,
'category_description' => '',
'cat_name' => 'ZZZ-RSSFeeds',
'category_nicename' => 'zzz-rssfeeds',
'category_parent' => 0,
)),
)
