Motorsport: Tyson punching above his weight

Rotorua youngster Tyson Wright knows that to get ahead in ministocks you have to look for what's coming around the next bend.

The 14-year-old Lakes High School student will need to be on full alert tonight for the starting round of the Tubby Norriss Memorial Ministocks at TWS Paradise Valley Raceway.

Tyson was last year's junior champ. One of his main rivals is Tauranga youngster Sam Waddell. Mates off the track, Tyson knows when it comes to the intense heat of driving no quarter is given by either of the two youngsters.

"We're best mates off the track but we give each other a bit of stick when we are racing."

With at least 17 wins so far this season, Tyson is feeling confident about tonight's run.

The youngster has stepped up to the senior division and is one of 140 drivers vying for the top 26 spots for tomorrow night's finals.

"I've just got a new engine so it running pretty good. I'm just going to go hard on the night and see what happens."

Tyson's dad Andrew, who also races, said his son had a good balance between taking risks and being cautious when it comes to racing.

"Basically I drum it into his head, 'look ahead'. If you're not looking ahead and you come around the corner and you're not looking ahead - see you later. But looking ahead is the biggest key."

Andrew said his son's best attribute was his willingness to work hard and to take advice when given. "He listens and that's the main thing and read a race - he can read a race like you couldn't believe. He takes [on] one car at a time and as he's coming up behind [a car] he already knows where they're going and that's why I think he has done quite well."

The grandson of speedway legend Stan Hickey, the youngster has plenty of experience to call on when it comes to racing.

"I try and make [the family] proud as I can, especially dad because he works on [the car] all the time," Tyson said.

It's not only on the track where Tyson works hard. The Year 11 student delivers The Daily Post to help raise money for his car.

"It's an expensive sport and I want to do my part to help out."

His hard work and effort is now paying dividends with Tyson being named in the six-man racing squad for the New Zealand ministock team. The team will compete against Australia next month in Auckland and Whangarei.

Racing begins at 7o'clock on both nights.