RACING is a Hedley family trait.
To say that motorsport is in their blood falls way short of the finish line.
To say they are competitive......that’s like saying you don’t need fuel to start a car.
Patriarch Ian is responsible for introducing the sport to his family and now all the family are mad about off-road racing.
Ian and wife Jan used to race as driver and navigator travelling Australia to compete in national and state championships.
Now, their two daughters Kristy, 19 and Rikki, 17 are following in their tracks.
At the weekend, the offroad racing family, one of Singleton’s most well known dynasties, took the challenge in the Milbrodale Mountain Classic with some varying success.
The event marked the return of veterans Ian and Jan following a seven year absence from the sport.
The reason they returned was the chance to race alongside their girls.
The Milbrodale Mountain Classic was the first time the family had competed together during an event.
Dad versus mum, mum versus dad, sisters versus dad and mum, it all lined up to make for one interesting weekend of action.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t all smooth sailing, as is the nature of the sport.
Ian made it as far as the fuel bay and no further his engine management system failing to get him to the track.
Jan started off wonderfully scoring the fastest prologue, but it wasn’t without problems when the fuel pressure gave her grief on the last lap.
Despite this difficulty, the state and national title holder completed 75 per cent of her race to take second place in her performance 2WD class.
Kristy and Rikki had a nightmare first day running into a tree and virtually writing off their vehicle.
Fortunately, some wonderful volunteers who were at the track as spectators came to their aid and had their run fixed within four hours.
It was a grateful sister pairing who could get back out on the track to join mum who was still among the pack.
When the family spoke to The Argus after the event and asked whether they were competitive they laughed.
“I was on the long course and mum went past.
“I was like ‘damn, she’s beating us,” said Kristy.
“But then we got going again and then she was broken down and we were in front again,” she laughed.
Unfortunately, for Ian he was watching and cheering from the sidelines but he added more about the family’s competitiveness.
“When Jan and I raced it was hot competition,” Ian said.
“Whoever lost was in the kitchen until the next race,” he added.
“It’s your turn now,” Jan said pointing to her trophies.
Given the love the Hedley family has for racing and the fact it is in grained in their bones it’s no doubt they will add many more trophies to their name over the next few years.
Their next challenge will be the second round of the NSW Long Course Championships at Warialda.
If Kristy and Rikki continue to follow dad and mum, who have both been inducted in the Confederation of Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame, there will be plenty more fun and games for the Hedley family.
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