By Russell Bennett
Clyde speed queen Ebony Hobson is used to living life in the fast lane, but the events that have transpired since Australia Day must surely have even her head in a spin.
The 21-year-old motor racer is also a talented footballer and is set to represent Cranbourne in this year’s VWFL competition.
But she had a wrist reconstruction following a football injury at the end of 2015, which kept her from all but two races last season.
Still, that was enough to make sure she wasn’t completely out of sight, out of mind.
“It’s really reassuring to know that I haven’t been forgotten,” she said.
A string of positive results behind the wheel since December has led to Ebony securing a drive in this weekend’s Australian Wingless Sprints Title at Carrick Speedway near Launceston in Tasmania.
But the process for Ebony to secure her drive really only gathered momentum since Australia Day.
In fact, she got her race nomination in with just two days to spare.
Ebony’s will be one of the large contingent of interstate cars racing in this weekend’s two-day event.
“It’ll be the hardest event I’ve ever competed in,” she said bluntly.
“But I can’t wait.”
Ebony hasn’t really had time to dwell on the magnitude of the opportunity afforded to her this weekend by Larry and Gary Fitzpatrick from Fitzpatrick Autosports.
It’s all been a whirlwind.
She’s just after redemption after not getting the result she was after in a previous race for the team.
The start of the footy season this year will clash with the end of the racing season, but Ebony said her priority will be behind the wheel – repaying the faith to those who’ve supported her.
“You’ve got to give back to the people who put time into you,” she said.
“That’s something my Dad has always told me.”
For her, it’s fitting she’s involved in both sports.
She said that with the rise of the AFL Women’s competition now is as good a time as any to show what women in sport can achieve.
Just as it was three years ago when Star News Group first spoke with her, Ebony’s dream is still to race sprint cars in the United States.
She knows the obstacles that stand between her and making that a reality, but she could jump the first hurdle with a strong result this weekend.
Ebony is forging ahead in her racing career with the support of her sponsors: Cooper Street Self Storage, T-Rex Excavations, Kool Freighters, RJ Racing, Tas Heavy Haulage, Lucas Oil Products Australia, CTR Truck Sales and Services, Hobson Designs and Maxim.
