CALLUM Hedge grew up going toe-to-toe with Matt Payne and Ryan Wood. It’s a situation which he can envisage himself returning to in the coming years – but now on the big stage that is Supercars.
If you haven’t heard of Hedge, there’s a lot to like.
He was just 15 years of age when he won the New Zealand Toyota 86 title.
He wrapped up the 2023 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia crown shortly after his 20th birthday, despite having skipped a round (due to a calendar clash as he soared to the Formula Regional Americas Championship on the other side of the world).
The Kiwi then went head-first into Indy NXT (the official feeder series into IndyCar), placed fourth in the standings in his rookie season, and collected podiums at Detroit that year and Laguna Seca the next.
Pic: Supplied/James Black
With a top-flight IndyCar seat not forthcoming, the now 22-year-old finds himself fighting at the front of the Carrera Cup North America field.
Representing JDX Racing, Hedge has gone fourth, third, third and third across the opening four races of the season – the latter two in support of the recent IndyCar action at Long Beach.
But having been on the ground for the Taupō Super440 and kept an eye on Christchurch from afar, Hedge can’t help but take a serious interest in Supercars.
“I grew up watching Supercars as a kid. Like I never really watched Formula 1 or IndyCar, it wasn’t my thing growing up, it was always Supercars or endurance racing,” he told V8 Sleuth.
“I’m in a great spot to have a crack at IMSA but also there’s always a part of me that wants to say ‘let’s go drive a V8 Supercar and see what it’s all about’. Even if it’s just as a co-driver in enduros every year.
“I tested with Erebus in ’22 before my Carrera Cup championship… then I got to do the American thing.
“Indy NXT, how often are you going to be 19 and get an opportunity like that? It’s one of those things you can’t say no to.”
Hedge, who confirmed he has put the feelers out and indeed met with Supercars teams at Taupō, is confident he could cut it in Australia’s top category if granted the right opportunity.
“When I was growing up, I raced Payne and Woody all the bloody time,” he said.
“It was like one weekend I would win, the next one Matt would win, and then next one Ryan would win.
“I lived with Ryan for six months on the Gold Coast.
“I’m always big on, if they can do it, why can’t I?
“It’s all about timing and the right opportunity. It’s always good to go out there and have a crack, but if it’s not the right environment and it’s not going to be long-term, then I don’t want to do it.
“If I’m coming over, I’d want to get some laps and get comfortable, do a Super2 race or do a couple of co-drives and really make sure it’s going to be a good fit before I commit to something full-time.
“I go racing to win races; I hate losing.”
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