Dylan Grant is fast.
After all, you don’t win three of the first four Formula First races this year if you’re slow.
But he won’t tell you that.
Instead, Grant is simply doing something he and his family has always loved doing – motor racing.
“I guess I just grew up around it,” he said. “My dad, Alex Grant, raced his whole life and I’ve also got a brother who does it.”
He’s got aspirations too. One day Grant aims to be a professional GT driver.
He is also a softly-spoken, modest 17-year-old. In a few weeks, he will take his passion for motorsport to the tertiary level and begin studying automotive engineering.
But this year, for now at least, Grant has one firm target.
And it’s not straight As in class.
“To win the [Formula First] title would be amazing,” he said. “It will definitely help take my career further.”
He’s off to a hot start too.
Last weekend’s season-opener at Hampton Downs, Grant crossed the finish line first in all four races. Only a penalty in race two for overtaking under a yellow flag prevented a clean sweep of victories.
But, hey, three out of four ain’t bad.
“It felt really good to know we are fast and have a fast car.
“We did loads of testing at Hamptons before the weekend but didn’t know what to expect. But it does feel great to know we are quick.”
He had to do it in some challenging conditions too.
“It was quite hard when it started raining during the race. I had no one in front of me to test the conditions, so I couldn’t push as hard as I could.”
In 2020, Grant was awarded the SpeedSport Scholarship and a drive in the Formula First championship.
He says that season was a real eye-opening experience as he learnt how different car racing is from karting.
“I wasn’t the fastest, but it was a good way to learn about cars.”
This season, Grant and his father bought their own car. Together, father and son have been testing the car to ensure Grant can be as competitive as possible on race day.
And it seems to be working. Although Grant isn’t resting on his laurels.
Whereas Hampton Downs was his ‘home track’, next weekend sees the Formula First championship head south to Manfeild, and Grant expects his rivals to give him a run for his money.
“You got guys like Chris Symon and Zac Blincoe who are really fast at Manfeild.
“It’ll be tough, but we just have to keep being consistent in every race.”
