James Herbertson wins Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship
Canada’s James MacDonald finished eighth in the international competition.
by Adam Hamilton
The rise, and rise, of young gun Aussie driver James Herbertson continues.
And the likelihood of him moving to the U.S. to chase the next chapter of his career is growing by the day.
Herbertson, 25, thrashed a world class line-up of drivers, including five-time Canadian champion James MacDonald, in the Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship at Albion Park.
Run across two nights (Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20-21) and 20 races, Herbertson gave nobody else a chance by winning six races and scoring by a remarkable 52 points. He finished with 194 points with defending champion Angus Garrard of Queensland and WA superstar Gary Hall, Jr. tied for second with 142.
Garrard and Hall, Jr. finished first and second, respectively, last year.
MacDonald finished in eighth with 115 points.
“Well, he just whooped us, didn’t he?” Hall, Jr. said of Herbertson’s dominance. “I thought I’d be leading after night one with the strong book of drives I had, but ‘Herbie’ [Herbertson] somehow had a nine-point lead.
“If he wasn’t hard enough to beat after that, he came out and won the first heat last night [Saturday] and that pretty much shut the gate on everyone else.
“He’s a star. The future is in great hands when the two youngest drivers in it finish first and second [Garrard is just 22].
“At least I finished top three, so it gets me back next year. I’m sick of finishing second, I’ve got to win this thing.
“I love the concept. It’s just fantastic. It brings so many different parts of the game together and it’s fun to be part of and watch.”
Herbertson made the most of his opportunity after watching from the sidelines at Albion Park as the emergency for the series last year.
“I jumped at the chance when Ryan Spice and crew asked if I’d be their driver and started the syndicate [Herb Factor Syndicate],” he said. “I’m standing here as the face of the win, but it was a team effort. I’ve had so much support from family, friends and the people behind the syndicate.
“It’s a tremendous thrill and honor to come and drive against the superstars in this series.”
It continued a remarkable 12 months for Herbertson.
Last year he created history by being the only driver to win the Australian Drivers’ Championship and Australasian Young Drivers’ Championship in the same season.
He also romped to his second successive Australian Drivers’ Premiership with an 83-win margin over Queensland’s Nathan Dawson, despite spending almost two months travelling through Europe and the U.S.
During his travels, Herbertson drove winners in the U.S. and Sweden.
It’s no secret Herbertson is considering a move to the U.S.
“I’m [turning] 26 this year and it’s time to look at the bigger picture,” Herbertson said late last year. “I feel like I’ve done the hard yards and am reaping the success and creating some opportunities. I’m also someone who doesn’t like to stand still. I’m always trying to be better, continually raising the bar, if you like.
“A lot will depend on how things are here in Victoria in 12 months’ time… will they be better? I hope so.
“If things don’t improve, then it’ll probably force my hand to make a change.”
Winning such a high-profile series at the Ultimate Driver can only enhance his profile and chance of making an early impact should he move to the U.S.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Herbertson said. “It’s why I’m in the game. My mum and dad, they couldn’t make it tonight, and all my family, without them I wouldn’t be here. They got me started in the game and I owe it all to them.”
Herbertson’s thoughts also went to former champion driver Greg Sugars, who died in his sleep in April last year at just 40 years of age.
Herbertson described Sugars as his “best mate, mentor and idol.”
“I lost my best mate and I’ve been able to go on and pick up a few things since, like this,” he said.
Herbertson and Sugars watched part of last year’s Ultimate Driver Challenge together at Albion Park.
MacDonald, who followed Dexter Dunn, Yannick Gingras, and Bjorn Goop last year as the international star power of the series, said he wished he had fared better but treasured the experience.
“That was so much fun,” MacDonald said. “I’ve been in lots of driver series before, but nothing like this.
“I wanted to be in it last year, but it didn’t work out. I’m so glad it did this time even though the results didn’t go my way.
“It took me a while to get used to the track and style of racing, but I had some good moments. So much comes down to luck and the horses you draw.
“But James [Herbertson] dominated us all. He’s an outstanding talent.
“What a great group of drivers they were, on and off the track. The camaraderie was special.
“These are the things you make lifelong friendships from.”
MacDonald said he would stay in Queensland for a few days to enjoy the summer weather with his wife, Paige.
“It’s quite a contrast from home at the moment and we’ll head down to the Gold Coast to make the most of the trip,” he said.
LADBROKES ULTIMATE DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP — FINAL STANDINGS
194 — James Herbertson (Vic)
142 — Angus Garrard (Qld), Gary Hall, Jr. (WA)
138 — Cam Hart (NSW)
127 — Pete McMullen (Qld)
119 — Robbie Morris (NSW)
117 — Luke McCarthy (NSW)
115 — James MacDonald (Canada)
103 — Trista Dixon (Qld)
102 — Zachary Butcher (NZ)
