Young racer’s career in the fast lane

HE’S only nine years of age, but Braydon Callaghan is already driving at speeds more than 95 kilometres per hour.
The Berwick resident is internationally recognised for his talent and he hopes that his go-karting career will take him as far as the likes of Mark Webber, who began his career in a similar way.
Braydon took up the sport at the age of seven when he joined the Oakleigh Go-karting Club.
His mother Shareen said that when he bagan he was never at the front of the pack, but more of a nervous driver.
However, this year his driving improved dramatically and he was recently awarded the title of Oakleigh Go-karting Club Champion.
He began competing this year and since this then he has managed to secure eight first places, as well as title of club champion and most improved.
This year Braydon’s family have taken him to the Australasian titles where he finished a respectable ninth place, and later to the National Junior Sprint Classic held in Puckapunyal, where Braydon had a podium finish, coming third.
His mother said her son cannot get enough of the sport.
“He just loves driving, and he knows how to be a cautious driver,” she said.
She said her son is a cautious, reserved and clean driver, which is part of the criteria for the club champion title he earned.
The cadet driver attends Killberry Valley Primary School in Hampton Park where he has been able to take his driving gear into the classroom for show and tell.
His mother said the school principal is keen for Braydon to bring his kart in, which is sure to spark a lot of interest among his peers.
And Braydon is keen to further his racing career next year.
“We want to travel the country and go to bigger races,” she said.
“This is the first step to get into professional driving.”