While most Burson Future Stars dream of reaching the top levels in circuit racing, Tasmanian Bodie Reading has different aspirations, ones that have been with him since his days karting.
The 2017 Tasmanian Burson Future Star began his motor sport career in karting before transitioning to rally at the start of 2017 to take part in the CAMS Tasmanian Rally Championship.
While it’s a dream for Reading to win a state championship, the driver has bigger aspirations on the rally circuit, with plans to compete in Australia’s biggest competition next year.
“The plan is to get to the main land and compete in a few CAMS Australian Rally Championship rounds,” Reading added.
“Being part of this year’s Subaru Rally Tasmania was a dream come true, however I was only entered in the state championship as I needed to focus on that.
“I have always been a big fan of the ARC so hopefully I can win the Tasmanian Championship, to add to the Burson Future Star Award, so I can compete in the ARC with experience under my belt.”
After experiencing the thrill of competing on special stages in Tasmania, Reading knew he was in the right category.
“When I was racing karts, I knew that I wanted to be rally a driver,” Reading said.
“I knew I didn’t want to do circuit racing forever because it’s the feeling of the car on gravel, that adrenaline rush, it’s so much more than you get on the circuit.”
Since making his a rallying debut in last year’s CAMS Tasmanian Rally Championship, Reading improved dramatically before the big moment happened in his home rally, the Southern Safari Rally.
At just 20-years-old, alongside 18-year-old co-driver Alex Malcolm, Reading won his first ever rally outright, becoming the youngest driver in the championship’s history to win a round outright.
Ending the 2017 rally season on a high and with much to look forward to the following year, Reading’s incredible season was capped off with the Future Star award, an award that he was not expecting.
“I didn’t actually go to the awards night because I didn’t think I was a chance, so I was extremely shocked to hear the news that I had won,” Reading said.
“It was amazing year, because while the highlight of career thus far was winning the award, winning my first rally outright in Tassie was indescribable. I ended up in tears afterwards.
“I am hoping that both feats puts my name out there and gets me somewhere. While I am doing this for fun, it’s not the only point, I want to make a career out of rallying.”
Following his maiden round victory last year, Reading once again took out the Southern Safari in the season, and now the WRX pilot leads the championship outright with just one round remaining.
Click here for more information on the CAMS Tasmania Rally Championship.
The CAMS Tasmanian Rally Championship’s final round, the LWE Mountain Stages rally, takes place between Mathinna and Launceston on 13 – 14 October.
