VOLUME 1 PROFILE
Photography by Tim Harris
4 MIN READ
It’s late when we speak to Espray via Zoom: her five siblings are watching a movie in the background but she won’t join them. She’s taken a break from working in the garage to speak to us, and she’ll be back at it as soon as we’re done. She warns us that she’s shy, and that she’s not great at talking to people. It’s believable at first, but when we get to the point and start talking about racing, her whole demeanor shifts. It’s obvious that the track is her element. It always has been.
How did you get into competitive motorsports?
I started motocross and BMX riding when I was young. I competed in my first motocross race when I was five, but my family decided it was too dangerous so they moved me to four wheels. I was nine when I started karting properly, and I did my first car race at 13.
What was it like stepping into the world of professional racing as a 13-year-old?
It was fun but definitely a bit nerve-racking. I remember my first race against all these guys whose cars had heaps more power than mine. I was the youngest person out there; I was the youngest person ever to get a racing licence.
That first time was basically a race to not get lapped, but then once I’d done my first race I got into a groove – I knew I wanted to keep going. I got more confident, I started bringing my times down, and my dad and I improved the car because we knew what needed doing.
So you learnt the mechanical side of things from a young age, too?
When I was go-karting, Dad said that if I didn’t help him work on the car, he wouldn’t let me race. Everyone thought it was awesome the way that I was coming in and checking my tyre pressures and changing my wheels. All the boys in the race would just walk off and let their dads do it. But I enjoyed working on my own car.
Now you compete in the TGR 86 Series and the Excel Cup – how involved are you in working on the cars you race?
I'm out there every day working on my cars. Having mechanical knowledge helps when I’m driving: I can make notes of things I need to fix depending on how the car is handling. The 86 is new to me, so I’m learning as I go – unlike with my other car, which I know like the back of my hand.
What do you love most about competing?
The adrenaline. It happens every single time I get behind the wheel. As soon as I roll out of the pits, the adrenaline kicks in. And I love racing all the boys. Seeing their expressions when I get out of the car. Sometimes they can't believe it's me driving – they’ll go over to my dad assuming the car is his, even though I’m next to him in a race suit. After the initial shock though, most people are very supportive.
What advice would you give to aspiring track drivers?
To new drivers, I’d say take it easy when you first get into it and find the limits. If you go through a corner and you throw it off the first time, you’ll know that's too fast. Bring it back and go through a little slower.
To anyone who wants to race, I always say to just get out and do your first race. Even if it's in a bad car or a bad kart, just go and do it. Get it out of the way. Then you know where you're at and you can push forward.
What are your proudest career achievements so far?
Winning the Queensland Track Attack Excel Cup, and having two first-place trophies with two different cars that I built. I'm happy to have come so far in such a short time, but I’m motivated to accomplish more. I always want to push forward and find the next best thing with my driving.
CONTINUE READING
