Racing pathway emerging at BGS

Brisbane Grammar School is producing a new generation of racers following in the tyre tracks of Old Boy Lee Holdsworth ’00, a veteran of 13 V8 Supercars seasons.

Ryan Suhle (Year 12 2019) races in the Formula 4 category and Alex Gardner (Year 7 2019) races in the Cadet 12 Go-Kart competition. Holdsworth said it was fantastic to see fellow BGS students climbing behind the wheel.

“It’s really exciting to see Ryan and Alex coming through the ranks and starting where I did in go-karting,” he said. “When I was at BGS it was quite unusual to have people in racing so it’s great to see people following in my footsteps.”

“I think there was the wrong perception of racing back when I was at school. It’s now recognised that a much more well-rounded athlete is required; drivers need to be professional, athletic and presentable. Many of those traits come from the morals that BGS instils, which worked well in setting me up to handle the other areas outside the car. The driving is probably only about 20% of my job.”

Ryan said Holdsworth was a definite inspiration. “Supercars is my ultimate goal, I’ve always loved them since I was a little kid so that’s been the ambition,” he said. “For me it’s been about doing it the right way. I’ve got age on my side, so I can build up my skills and soak it all in.”

While he is at the start of his racing journey, Alex said he had already gained so much from the sport. “I like racing for the adrenaline rush you get while you’re in the car and the friends you make,” he said. “It’s good to see Lee and Ryan have had such success in racing and to know they went to the same school as me.”

There may be 25 years between them, but all three said they loved racing for the competition and friendships. “We got a go-kart for Christmas and that was our time to go away as a family of a weekend every couple of weeks,” Holdsworth said. “We built some great friendships through racing, but the competition was always what I loved most about it.”

“It’s so enjoyable, especially at Alex’s age, to be driving something on the edge. No one else gets to drive until they’re 16 or 17 years old and he gets to drive at 100km/h from seven years old. It’s a massive eye-opener when you first start but it’s something you become addicted to.”

Ryan said racing had him hooked from the first time he got behind the wheel. “It is addictive and very competitive and you’re always looking to win this and win that and to go up and win the next thing,” he said. “But it’s important to take a step back and enjoy it, especially when others at school my age are just getting their learner's licence.”