GOLD COAST LOCAL ACHIEVES NATIONAL GLORY

Two years ago Gold Coast sign-writer Steve MacGregor put aside the surfboard to go car racing - a move that has paid off as he has just been crowned National Champion of the Aussie Racing Cars’ Masters Cup category (for over-35’s) after winning on the streets of Surfer’s Paradise at last weekend’s Lexmark Indy 300.

Affectionately known as the ‘pocket rockets’ the Aussie Racing Cars are ¾ the size of a V8 Supercar and a crowd favourite around the country as they support the V8 Supercars Series.

MacGregor, a relative newcomer to the series, who has only competed in the category for the past two seasons, withstood the pressure of more experienced rivals to take the national crown after trailing the leaders for most of the series. Particularly, his drive in the final race of the series, which decided the champion, was nothing short of impressive as he displayed ‘nerves of steel’ on the wet Indy circuit.

“I can’t believe that it was only just over two years ago when I sat in the stand at Indy watching these cars race,” he said.

“And now I am National Champion, having beaten many of the guys I watched at this event as a spectator.”

The 42 year-old MacGregor won three of the seven rounds that made up the 2006 Aussie Racing Cars Series. His first win was at Darwin in June, followed by the Bathurst 1000 just two weeks ago, and then again at Indy, which secured the series win.

“ Darwin was memorable because it was the first time I had won in this category,” Steve said.

“ Bathurst was special because it is the spiritual home of motorsport in Australia ; but winning in front of my home crowd at Indy was the best result of them all.”

Steve is not only a serious contender amongst his fellow over-35 competitors but regularly sticks it to the younger competitors in the category; he finished fifth outright at Indy.

“It is good to get amongst the young guys, they are fitter, braver, and maybe a little bit faster, but I have maturity on my side which helps me to finish more races.”

After recently selling his Gold Coast sign-writing business, Steve is now concentrating on his racing and other business interests on the Gold Coast.

“I came into the sport as a bit of a hobby,” Steve said.

“It has definitely won me over as I am now spending more time in the driver’s seat and am now looking at ramping up my efforts in 2007.”

With the departure of his own business as major sponsor, Steve is grateful for the support of a number of Gold Coast companies that made it possible for him to race at Indy.

“If companies such as Thiel Partners Accountants, Mortgage Street Home Loans, Coastline Building Services, Plasta Masta Gold Coast, Miami Smash Repairs and zbrakes.com.au had not come on board I simply could not do what I have done on 2006.”

As Steve expands his racing operation in 2007 he is looking for further local businesses to help take his team to the next level.

“2007 will be a big year for us as we contend for the outright title; we just need to gain a few extra sponsors so that we can have a real crack.”

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