Wandi teenager Callum O’Brien has been invited to try out for an Italian racing team.
Camera IconWandi teenager Callum O’Brien has been invited to try out for an Italian racing team. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Wandi teen on face road to success in motorbikes with trip to Italy

Tim SlaterWeekend Kwinana Courier

WANDI road racer Callum O’Brien has earned the opportunity of a lifetime after he was invited to try out for an Italian race team next month.

The 15-year-old has been racing motorbikes for only two years after his father Stephen, who used to race road bikes in Ireland, introduced him to the sport.

Callum will be going to the Misano World Circuit and ride a World Supersport 300 machine supplied by SK Racing.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

His selection follows his recent participation in a four-day intensive jet camp held at Woodman Point where his efforts were noticed by ex Moto GP and world superstock rider Bryan Staring.

Staring described Callum as “a quiet but much-focused young man” and discussed with coach Mark Gill the potential he saw.

Callum races the Clean Ride KTM390 around Australia under his father’s guidance and is gaining more experience with every round of the national series.

Rob Peters, of Banhams Plumbing, Gas and Fire Services, has finacially supported his visit to Italy.

Coach Gill, his father Stephen, a data acquisition engineer and two mechanics will also support him.

“Callum has opened the biggest door possible to a career in motorsport as a result of performing at his best during the Motorcycling WA Jet Camp and his professional attitude off the bike,” Gill said.

He will be in Italy for a week in July and if successful is hoping to return next year as part of the Italian team to compete in a seven-week season.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to have such a great team to put me in the position to get me there,” Callum said.

He said he was excited about the opportunity and looking forward to the experience.

“I will try and get into the team and be able to race next year in the CRV championship,” he said.

His main motivation was to see how far he could go in the sport.

Callum has to travel to the eastern states to compete after racing was suspended at the Barbagello Raceway last year and works out at a local gym four times a week to maintain his fitness.

His father said he was proud of Callum’s selection after putting a lot of hard work into the sport and being the youngest racer in his class.

“It’s a huge opportunity and not many kids of his age will get that opportunity,” he said.

Callum thanked the Clean Ride Racing Team, Mark Gill, Rob Peters, his parents and everybody else who has helped along the way so far.

MORE: PMH denies surgeries delayed after family claims toddler’s life-saving procedure could be delayed until new children’s hospital opens

MORE: Long journey to Perth for Rotary exchange student

MORE: Curtin Business School signs MOA with Stanford University to enable WA students to complete international program