Back on track

Greg and Jeff Leahy debuted their EL Falcon in Speedway racing this season. Picture courtesy Cassie Tuckett

By Stuart Teather
FATHER and son Greg and Jeff Leahy were like ducks to water when they made their return to Speedway racing this season.
Battling it out in the Three Litre Sedan Association series, the Leahys returned from a six-year hiatus and had almost immediate results.
With Jeff behind the wheel for the State Series events, the Leahy team debuted their new car – an EL Falcon – to mixed success.
A win at a feature event in Horsham and a second place at the Simpson 400 in March were highlights, but their season was marred with low-points including some ‘mechanical gremlins’ and a crash at Alexandra Speedway.
“The season has been very good, we had a few mechanical gremlins in the car early on, but that was to be expected,” Jeff said.
“We’re very, very pleased with the outcome, we could’ve been better in a few events, but the overall performance of the car and what we know that can happen next season, we’re very happy.”
Jeff attributed the six-year break to family commitments, but the time was by no means wasted – he and Greg spent much of the time preparing their new car for racing.
Jeff said it was a strange feeling rejoining the sport he loved after so long away.
“It’s different, very, very different. I’m in my early 30s now, when I was competing I was mid-20s,” he said.
“I didn’t have a lot of responsibilities back then, I guess you could say.”
Jeff said one of the keys to their success at racing was keeping the team within the family.
“You don’t need everybody fighting against you, but we’re pretty fortunate that way, that it’s a family thing,” he said.
With Greg and Jeff splitting the driving, Jeff would not get drawn into who was the better behind the wheel.
“He’d probably tell you I would be, but I think he’s very good too,” he said.
At the moment Greg and Jeff are working hard to fix the damage sustained at the crash in Alexandra, trying to get the car ready for the final event of the season at their home track in Drouin, in two weeks’ time.