ALEX Gardner. Remember the name.
The 16-year-old continued carving out a name for himself by taking a five-from-five sweep at The Bend Motorsport Park on the weekend.
Competing at the Motorsport Australia Trophy Series event, Gardner won both Radical Cup Australia races and scored three class victories in the Australian Prototype Series, in what was his first visit to Tailem Bend.
He now boasts a seven-from-eight record in the 2023 Radical Cup – a mechanical failure being his only blemish – and leads by 18 points heading into next month’s Sydney Motorsport Park decider.
“I’m super happy to walk away winning every race in both Radical and Prototype this weekend,” said Gardner. “I’ve never been to Shell V-Power Park before and it is a super demanding racetrack, very physical and I spent a lot of time in the seat.
“I feel it was one of my best performances. I’ve been working hard on several aspects of my racing approach and was able to maintain that throughout each race.
“My fitness has improved and right now I don’t feel that tired after a big weekend.
“The team at Volante Rosso Motorsport have been amazing in the way that they are working with me and building me to different levels at every race meeting I take part in.
“The Radical Championship isn’t over and done with yet and we go to Sydney in the lead, but not won. I’ll be using the next couple of weeks to work on my mental fitness and my physicality to go to that race to continue what I’ve been doing.”
Garnder counts five-time Bathurst 1000 starter Melinda Price among his Volante Rosso Motorsport teammates, with Price heaping praise on the young gun.
“The Volante Rosso Motorsport team had a lot of fun across the weekend and that is what it is all about, particularly when you are generating results. Alex winning everything in front of him was a great reward for us all and lifts everyone,” she said.
Of the performance of herself and co-driver Greg Kenny, Price added: “Greg and I both had moments of brilliance over the weekend, we both passed many people and I had a good battle with Peter (Clare) at one stage.
“I feel like I still have some work to do, but going to Sydney in a short amount of time will help with that as I have the feel for it and will get in and be able to race straight away, plus I’ve raced there this year and have been there many times.
“The racetrack (The Bend) has a really long lap and is very physically demanding. It was the first time that I have been there and really enjoyed the weekend.”
