By his own admission, Toby Bellbowen just wants to race. The 20 year old, who hails from Cranebrook, a suburb in Sydney’s greater west, lives and breathes racing.
There is rarely a time when racing is not on Toby’s mind and that’s the way he likes it.
This kid is one determined racer.
Determined to succeed.
And won’t give up till the job is done.
To understand how Toby got to where he is now, you need to go back to where it all began, even before Toby was born.
Toby’s dad, Rod, was a very accomplished racer in his own right. Winning the Australian Compact Speedcar Championship at the turn of the ‘nineties. From there, Rod turned to Sprintcars where he finished third in the now infamous 1992 Australian Sprintcar Championship at Parramatta City Raceway.
Albeit a brief foray in Sprintcars, Rod did have success and then made the decision to move into the Speedcar division until his retirement in 1998. There was also the odd return to Sprintcars during the Speedcar days.
Then it was Toby’s older brother, Roddy, who began his racing career. Roddy started racing at the age of seven, racing Karts on both tar and dirt all over Australia. He then progressed into Sprintcars and continues to be one of the top NSW drivers.
As you can see, it was a rather natural progression for Toby who, just like his brother, started in Karts at the age of seven and found instant success.
“I had my first go-kart race on November 11, 2001,” recalls Toby, “and I won my first kart meeting in the midgets division, now called cadets.”
Even in those young, formative years, it was in Toby’s blood to become a racer.
“I guess that as a kid growing up around PCR, my dad racing there, my brother racing karts, I wanted to be like them. And they wanted me to do that, too.
“It’s something my whole family has supported.
“Both of my older sisters, Shardae and Marnie, even raced karts themselves at one point, too.
Dad was pretty busy then!” Toby said with a smile.
Racing dirt karts till the end of 2006, Toby won a midget class championship and a NSW Championship in 2004 before moving into the Rookies class and winning another NSW Championship in 2005.
At the age of eleven, after moving into the Juniors, Toby won his third NSW Championship, in 2006.
“Three state championship in three classes in three years. It is still something I am very proud of.”
As a change of scenery called, Toby moved to racing karts on tar on a more regular basis. At the beginning, as he explains, it wasn’t all that rosy.
“It was a different world to me and the type of race craft I had begun to learn on the dirt just didn’t work on the tar.
“One memory that sticks out was when Dad had decided to take Roddy and I to the NSW state karting championships at Orange in 2003. Although I had practiced a few times on a tar track, this would be my first race. And I was terrible. I was racing with kids that I never knew, that were very good.
“I had gone from one extreme to another. Going from winning almost every time I got in a kart on the dirt, to being lapped in practice. I was so slow that I remember a lady official coming over to us at the in-grid on the final day of practice and basically asking us to not race. That’s how bad I was.
“This sort of thing was pretty disheartening, and not something anyone would want to hear.
Looking back now, it’s pretty cool to see how far I have come, and proof that hard work can make you capable of achieving just about anything. From there, I only had a couple of kart races on the tar up until 2007, when I decided I wanted to race on the tar full-time.”
Around this time, the Bellbowen family entered a busy time. Eldest son Roddy was kicking off his Sprintcar career and former Australian Champion Skip Jackson was also competing in the Bellbowen stable. So Toby did what any young wannabe racer would do, he set up his own karting schedule and went on his own.
“I put together a bit of a schedule of racing for myself for 2007, and went racing at tracks like Eastern Creek, Oran Park, Lithgow, and Newcastle.
“At first it was a massive struggle, and I went from really enjoying my racing, and winning, to dreading going racing because I was waking up early to get my butt kicked all day long.
“One of my first races was the Australian Karting National Championships, which was held at Eastern Creek, Easter 2007. Eastern Creek was my home track, where I had done most of my laps, and one of only a few tar tracks I raced at. 56 karts entered for the event in my division, the Junior National Light. One of the most competitive classes.
“I thought that because I had done a fair few laps there, I would be decent. I remember turning up the first day and seeing a kid called Chaz Mostert fly by me like I was standing still, with a big green & gold number 1 plate on his kart.
“And just like the other handful of times I raced on the tar, I was terrible. I qualified right up the back, and just tried to finish my heat races, hoping to make it into the cut of 40 karts for the final. After the heat races, I was 41st in points and didn’t make the final. To think that at my home track, that I felt I knew back to front, that I couldn’t even make it into the final race of 40 karts. That left me with a pretty hollow feeling inside.”
Toby being the person he is never gave up… ever.
“I practiced most Wednesday nights at Eastern Creek and got pretty good there. I slowly worked my way up the grid at club meetings, crashing less and by the end of 2007 I had some trophies of 5th place finishes.”
Toby continued to race in Sydney, Newcastle and Lithgow mastering his trade. Then, in the middle of 2008, success! Toby won his first ever meeting at Eastern Creek Raceway.
“What a relief that was!” Toby recalls.
“The emotions of turning up every week and knowing you were so close, but not knowing what else to do, and then finally winning was indescribable.
“The funny thing is I have a familiar feeling now with some good results at Valvoline Raceway, constantly knocking on the door. It’s something I remind myself of, to keep pushing and working towards being better every time I hit the track.”
By mid-2008 Toby was the Junior National Light Champion for the North Shore Kart Club (Eastern Creek Raceway). And while it only seems to be a minor achievement now, Toby sees it as an important stepping stone for his career.
“My Dad would tell me that ‘consistency is key’ and to ‘have fun’ and all of these other useful tips that he still drills into me today. It is something I have come to appreciate.
“One thing he taught me that I realised later on was that there’s no substitute for experience. He wasn’t wrong there, and I realise now that with hard work, determination and confidence, coupled with experience, you can become a feared racer that makes other racers cringe when you show up.”
Further karting success came with a fifth place finish in the Australian Karting Nationals. Following this, something else became a focus in Toby’s life – Sprintcar racing.
“I was often asked what I wanted to race when I was older, and the answer was always Sprintcars. Unlike most other kids with aspirations of Formula 1, NASCAR, or V8 Supercars, I wanted to be like my Dad and Brother. I wanted to be a Sprintcar driver.”
Just prior to Toby turning 16, he had a practice in a Sprintcar. Toby loved it but suffice to say, it didn’t turn out all that well.
“I lasted about 8 laps before I put the thing in the front straight wall. Chassis bent, and my confidence pretty badly bruised.
“I did love it though. It made me claustrophobic and it was stupidly fast but I knew what I wanted to do pretty soon after I got in one.
“We quickly realised, after the crash, that I had a long way to go and that it would be a very steep and tiring learning curve.”
After the crash, Toby and his family had some decisions to make. The answer was never in doubt. Toby would begin his foray into Sprintcar racing.
“We had a brand-new J & J chassis sitting at home that was a couple years old. It had never been used before and specially built for us. Dad had this chassis built once Scott Darley had his tragic accident in 2008. It was of a different design, with a stronger structure built in, through thicker-walled tubes. Roddy wasn’t keen on racing it, and neither was I but it was probably the best thing I ever did.
“I began my Sprintcar racing career in that chassis, nick-named ‘the sled’. We still have it! It’s never been bent. But it’s had some big crashes, too many crashes. But for the first time, I was living my initial dream of racing Sprintcars and it was alongside my brother, Roddy.”
It was almost a rite of passage for Toby as he followed in his dad’s and brother’s footsteps.
“I believed it was a given that since my Dad raced, I wanted to be a racer like my Dad. It’s funny when people ask me what I would do if I wasn’t a race car driver and my answer is pretty simple. What would you do if you weren’t you? It’s a part of me, and always will be. This is who I am, and I love it. Racing is in my blood as much as it is with anyone else.”
So as Toby began to learn the ropes of Sprintcar racing for a number of seasons he had already knew what he had to do to reach the top.
“I said to myself after that my first day I drove one, I can’t wait until I get used to the speed of this thing, and now I have, and I feel that the sky is the limit.”
“I believed that I could achieve anything through hard work, but had no idea how long it would take, and I still don’t for that matter. That is the exciting part to me. I never know when the phone will ring with someone asking me to drive their car. So for now I’ll keep working hard, and doing the best I can.”
Today, Toby is one of the top drivers in NSW. He is fast, consistent and has a desire to win like no other.
So why Sprintcar racing? Why not something a little less dangerous?
“I chose Sprintcar racing because of my family’s history. It’s the fastest, most exciting form of Speedway racing, too.
“When I think about it, I’m glad I chose it. You can look at any other form of motorsport, and it doesn’t quite come close to what Sprintcar racing has to offer.
“Formula 1 is all about money. NASCAR can be about aero-dynamics and who has the biggest engine. But to me, whilst Sprintcar racing takes all of that into account, it’s more about the driver. The worst drivers can’t win in the best car, but the best driver can win in a bad car.
“Sprintcar racing is the most pure a motorsport can get. It’s basic, it’s not technologically advanced, which helps with costs and keeping it competitive.
“I don’t like to look at the dangerous side of it. We all know what can happen, and I acknowledge that. But I don’t think that I’d get as much of a kick out of racing anything else. I guess that’s why most professional race car drivers know about Sprintcar racing. They know how cool it is.”
Two of Toby’s biggest supporters are his mum and dad, Carol and Rod. Carol works tirelessly at the family business and then looks after everyone at home. She is definitely the glue that keeps everything together. So what do they think of Toby’s racing?
“They think it’s expensive!” Toby laughs.
“They are 100% behind me in my racing, but they also know it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. I guess they are very mature about racing, and don’t want me to end up being negatively affected by it.
“They are my biggest supporters and are the reason I have racing and love racing. They are also the first ones to bring me back down to earth when I need to be realistic about it.”
One thing that Toby does not lack is confidence. He believes this is one thing that is necessary to get what you want in life and in racing.
“I want to be a professional Sprintcar driver and to achieve that you have to be confident and I don’t lack in that area.
“I will openly say it, because it’s the truth. I will do everything I can to make it happen, and hopefully I can get some support along the way.
“From there, it’s about pushing to be the best I can. I have determination that can’t be beaten in the long haul. So to me, it’s not about setting specific goals, because I have learnt from karting that not everything goes to plan. It’s about realising where you’re at, and making improvement every step of the way.
“I’m committed to making this work, and realise that it’s not going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination.
“Everyone is dealt with a different card, and this is where I am at. Right now, I am loving racing Sprintcars, but want more experience. Without experience, I can’t get the results that others do, or at least it makes a lot more difficult. When I can get the chance, I will make the most of it and can’t wait to show what I am capable of.
“I feel that I have all of the correct qualities that are needed to be a professional race car driver, to not only take my racing to a new level but to also help the sport head in the right direction.
“Who knows? Hopefully it is the start of a successful career.”
The sport of speedway has many good qualities. One such positive is the family aspect of the sport. Speedway has for many decades been a family sport. It is something Toby relishes. You would be hard pressed to find another driver who has so much time for his fans and more importantly social media savvy.
“I think because of the way people are introduced into Speedway. You can’t get into Formula 1 with your family-owned team, and race the best in the world with that. But in speedway you can. It keeps the family intact every step of the way. And I hope that aspect never changes. It’s a very unique bonus to speedway racing, that not many other motorsport categories, or sport in general, have.
“The fans are a massive part of the sport too. Without the fans, it would not be possible to race – plain and simple. We, as a team, always make sure we look after the fans. It is absolutely important to do so. Making a little kid’s day by spending some time with him or her goes a long way to raising your profile in the sport.”
Meanwhile, one area the sport is currently struggling in is gaining major corporate backing. Prior to the Australian Government banning cigarette advertising, the sport was booming with major backing from Winfield and Peter Jackson. Since then, the sport has struggled somewhat.
“It’s all about perception. Getting covered in dust isn’t quite as elegant as a corporate day at the V8 Supercars, so what would you choose if you were a high-dollar business operator?
“People see speedway racing as a dirty, dodgy alternative to asphalt racing. I think, especially with the increased advertising in Sydney, this perception is changing.
“I can’t see why Sprintcar racing can’t be as ‘corporate’ as V8 Supercars with the same funding but where do you start? I wouldn’t be surprised if our sport is bigger and reaches more people, considering it isn’t just an Australian sport.”
This season at Sydney’s Valvoline Raceway, an ownership change has also seen a format change to the racing. Utilising the American way of racing, it is a brutal format that if you mess up qualifying, you are definitely behind the eight ball. As Toby admits though, it has brought out the best in him to date.
“I think so. Some drivers might sit back in their chair a little when they find out who is racing them this weekend, or how many cars there are but it only makes me want it more. It makes me want to step up and I think it makes me dig a little deeper.
“I think if you sit back and wait for it to get easier you will be waiting a while, so I try to think of where I can improve. It has proven successful this season as we currently sit in the top five in the track championship.
Like many Sprintcar drivers before him, Toby would like to one day spread his wings and try Speedcar racing, however, his parents do have their reservations.
“I would like to drive a Midget. My parents have always tried to steer us away from that because Dad has had some bad crashes and he says that they hurt more than in a Sprintcar. Hopefully one day but right now I just want to drive a Sprintcar.
Away from the race track, Toby is your typical 20 year old but racing is NEVER far from his mind.
“I’m pretty laid back but I think I struggle to take the race face off completely. I think about what I do, what I eat and stuff like that regularly because I want to be the best I can be.
“Nothing is as fun as winning, so why not give yourself the best chance at that?
“I love hanging out with my family, and enjoy just doing nothing. I don’t really have any other interests when racing is taken out of the equation. Maybe it’s a little sad but that’s me and I love it.
“You’ll often find me working on something racing related. I think that it’s a good habit to get into for down the track.
“I’m a big fan of all types of racing. I love watching cricket. I go to the gym a handful of times a week to keep my fitness up to scratch.
“I am just trying to be the best I can be.”
As you can see, Toby just wants to race and will continue to succeed in whatever he chooses to do. He is the type of guy who will not give up… ever.
Toby next hits the track on Boxing Night, December 26 for the 35th running of the Valvoline Australian Sprintcar Grand Prix. This is one race Toby knows well after finishing second in 2012, just in front of brother Roddy. A big car count is expected for the event.
Following Boxing Night, Toby will be back in action the following night, December 27 at Valvoline Raceway and then December 30 and January 1, also at Valvoline Raceway.
If you haven’t already, connect with Toby on Facebook where you will receive regular updates throughout the week and live updates on racing on race night. Just go to www.facebook.com/tobybellbowen70.
Don’t forget too, there is plenty of merchandise that is available. T-Shirts, hoodies and caps to suit both kids and adults. Make sure you head down to the truck at the completion of racing each night at Valvoline Raceway to meet Toby, have a chat and pick up some cool merchandise.
Toby would like to thank the following sponsors for their wonderful support during the 2014/15 season:
Hog’s Breath Cafe
Rod Bowen’s Prestige Smash Repairs
Spies Hecker
McGrath Lander Motor Group
Valvoline
Poolwerx Hills Shire
Lander Toyota
Vortex Race Products
Duncan & Foster Engine Reconditioning
B & B Graphics
Murrell Distribution
Ends release…
