Young driver to follow in father's tyre marks

Mark Johnston, 21, will follow in father Mike's tyre marks as he makes his stockcar debut at Oceanview Speedway's season opener on Sunday. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

He was the infant who heard the roar of the engines and from that moment onward, Mark Johnston was destined to be a racer.

The son of Oceanview Speedway club life members Mike and Marion Johnston, the 21-year-old will make his stockcar debut in 78v at the season opener on Sunday evening.

Having raced ministocks from ages 12-16, Johnston has prepared and built his own stockcar over the past two years, completely off his own back.

"Just waiting for the bank account to build up and do it all," he said.

While a sponsor helped out with the paint job, Johnston went ahead without family help.

It shows the passion for motorsport runs in the blood as Mike Johnston retired from driving when his son was four and still too young to appreciate what dad was doing.

"It's in the genes, really," said Mark.

"The first time I went to Speedway I was a week old, because mum was the president at the time."

The stockcar class should feature around 3-4 races on Sunday, depending on time constraints.

Johnston is keeping his expectations realistic.

"As long as it goes around in circles, I guess.

"A win would be nice. Take something nice out there and everybody wants to wreck it."

Oceanview president Alan Luoni said the stockcar class should be very healthy this season with a number of new competitors.

After opening night, the first big event on the cards will be the November 8 meeting which will include the big fireworks display.