IPSWICH has a new motorsport star on the rise.
At just 21 years old, Ripley resident Hudson James is set to make his debut in the Tyerpower V8 SuperUte Series this season with 58 Racing, fulfilling a dream he shared with Local Ipswich News exclusively twelve months ago.
“It’s seriously a dream come true,” James said. “A lot of hard work has gone into it, but to have people around me supporting me and sponsors who see potential and believe in me—it’s unreal. I can’t do it without them.”
His sponsors include EFS 4×4 Accessories, V8 Experience, PHP Asphalt, and Warrego Transport and Repairs, all backing him as he steps up to a higher level of competition.
James will race nationally at all six events this year, including the prestigious Repco Bathurst 1000 and the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500, having kicked off his season at Sydney Motorsport Park for the Sydney 500 last weekend finishing tenth overall from a field of 21 in his debut in the category.
“Bathurst is the track I am the most excited for,” he said. “Number one track because of the history behind it and all the legends who’ve driven there. It’s going to be really cool to drive around there.
“It’s a totally different car and a different atmosphere. I’m really excited to see all the new tracks and take on a different kind of racing challenge.”
His journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable, as he did not begin competing until 2021 and went on to quickly make his mark becoming the youngest driver in the history of the Queensland Touring Car Championship (QTCC).
“My dream has always been just to race cars,” he said. “It didn’t matter if it was club racing or further up—just to be in the car.”
Competing against men with decades of experience, he won the 2022 Group C series, progressed through Group B, and advanced into Group A by the latter half of 2023. By 2024, he had finished third overall with 14,705 points.
Born with a language disorder, and not speaking until the age of seven overcoming major challenges.
He has also battled anxiety, but the track has always been his sanctuary.
“In pit lane I feel really sick, but once I’m on the track it feels like I’m just sitting on the couch at home,” he said.
“If you start getting nervous, just put it in the back of your mind and go for it. What’s the worst that’s going to happen? You won’t know until you have a go.”
Despite being the youngest driver in QTCC history, James isn’t stopping here.
His immediate focus is on learning and gaining experience this season, with sights set on a championship in the category next year.
As Hudson James takes his first laps in the SuperUtes this season, one thing is clear: his dream is no longer just a vision—it’s racing full throttle into reality.
