News
Paddock Bashing & Meeting Your Heroes: Blake Tracey
BLAKE Tracey is a young man in a hurry.
At the age of only 17, Tracey has this season stepped up to the Trico Trans Am Series, and at Symmons Plains Raceway, he was in the thick of the action, cracking the top ten in race two before mechanical issues curtailed his run in the third heat.
Stepping out of karting at the age of 14, Tracey made a name for himself in Hyundai Excel racing, ultimately claiming both the Australian and the New South Wales State titles last year, with his season featuring 23 race wins, 12 pole positions and 28 podiums.
To kick off his 2025 campaign, Tracey stepped behind the wheel of his father Mark’s LS2-powered BMW E36 for the Combined Sedan category at the Bathurst 12 Hour, where he finished seventh outright and first in the chassis class.
After conquering the Excel category, the choice was simple for the next step in his career progression: Trans Am.
“Dad and I really liked our muscle cars, and rubbing’s racing, I’ve always grown up watching dad, he’s always been an advocate for the rubbing’s racing,” said Tracey.
“I think this is a pretty affordable class, Toyota 86s and Michelin Sprint Challenge were in the mix as well, but I think here (in Trans Am) you’re definitely going to learn a lot.
“There are some big names too, so hopefully I get to learn off them, it’s going to be the main reason why we are here.
Enlisted to drive for The Racing Academy, Tracey has surrounded himself with proven competitors in the category, even if he has to pinch himself in debriefs.
“Tim (Slade) is my driver mentor, and I’ve got a poster on the wall of him from when I was a kid!” Said Tracey.
“Also, Jordan Boys is a local, we both live in Albury, and he’s someone I look up to in my racing career.
“So, talking to him all of the time, and watching him last year, it was a no brainer.
“He’s still in the team, so I’ve been on the phone to him a fair bit, it’s been good.”
Another attraction of the category is the all-star lineup of drivers at the front of the field, who are the perfect yardstick for an aspiring racer.
“Having all of these guys here, if we’re not beating them, there’s no point even going further – you’ve got to be the best to beat the best – just jump straight in the deep end, it’s why we’re here,” said Tracey.
“I was going into the Hairpin (at Symmons Plains), and it was a different feeling; it was pretty cool.
“Towards the end of the race, it was so loose; it was a bit like back in the paddock at home in the AU Falcon!
“It was taking it back to that and managing the tyres, it was pretty cool, seeing everyone else sideways, I knew we were all in the same boat.”
Heading to Bathurst for the next round, Tracey’s task is simple.
“Keep it out of the walls!” He said.
“I love the track, I had a pretty good run in my dad’s car at the Bathurst 12 Hour in the Combined Sedans, I’ve just grown up loving it, it’s been my dream to do well there.
“I’m going to set my expectations just a bit higher each round, hopefully manage to get in the top ten, I would be absolutely rapt with that – I don’t want to go in there and fence it or anything, or have a high ego.”
The Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour is set for April 18-20, with further information available at bathurst6hour.com.au.