THERE was one race Dylan Willsher was determined to win when he launched his formula 500 career – the one named after his grandfather.
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Now, 12 months after achieving that long-held dream, the Warrnambool driver is desperate to defend his Jack Willsher Cup title.
Willsher, 23, is one of 37 competitors who will vie for the title at Allansford’s Premier Speedway on Saturday night.
The Jack Willsher Cup is part of a bumper program at Premier Speedway.
Round five of the Sprintcar Association of Victoria series, which doubles as an Ultimate Sprintcar Series round, has attracted a strong field of 56.
Willsher is quietly confident he can defend his crown and add another chapter to his family’s decorated driving history.
"I don't want to give the trophy back, that's for sure,” he said.
"This race every year is what I want to win, being my Pa's race.”
Willsher said his grandfather "hates limelight and attention” but was rapt when he saluted in 2014 and would be there to watch him race on Saturday.
"Pa is just Pa. He doesn't show a lot of emotion,” he said.
“Last year he was as happy and excited as he's ever been but he keeps it low key.”
Willsher has experienced an up and down start to the formula 500 season.
He recorded a did not finish at Mount Gambier after running second before running fifth at Hamilton on the weekend.
"Mechanical failures and bad luck has ruled us out of decent results,” he said.
But Willsher believes smarter preparation will put him in contention in big races in coming months.
"The expectation is to win every race but especially this weekend for Pa's cup and defending the Australian title,” he said.
"The only other thing on the bucket list to tick off is Speedweek but I have a love-hate relationship with it.
"It's six nights of racing in eight days so it is pretty tough and grueling.
“I've tried to put everything in place earlier this year to get a good result.”
Willsher said ensuring his car’s engine was in top order and ready for Speedweek, which starts from December 27, was paramount to success.
He said smaller teams, such as his, had to work extra hard to be in contention for the series, which includes races at Hamilton, Darlington, Portland, Allansford and Simpson before wrapping up at Laang on January 4.
"You don't drink or eat because you don't have time and are running on two or three hours' sleep,” he said.