The life story of Rick Kelly involves very little else but motor vehicles. Born in the fruit growing region of Mildura on the New South Wales and Victorian border, he didn’t own push-bikes, he gravitated straight to things with engines.
“I started riding motorbikes at three,” Kelly says. “So I’ve been driving or riding something since I was still in nappies. I first drove a go-kart at five and started racing them when I was seven, then I moved into Formula Ford when I was 17. I guess I always knew I was going to be a race driver, even very early at school, I gave it my best shot and didn’t really know what I’d do if I failed. I guess I never thought I would.”
Staying sharp
“Everything in this game is very calculated,” Kelly says. “I drink one can of Red Bull half an hour before I get in the car every time I drive, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to keep up with Craig Lowndes. I find it sharpens me up through tough long stints in the car and allows me to concentrate for longer which means I can give the team the feedback they need to make the car faster. Oh, and I also love it with some vodka after a race!”
Rick Kelly