November 2018 | Danny Ross

I’M SURE most readers will know what a go-kart is and there are probably a few who would be able to describe what a sprintcar looks like. But I wonder how many would know that Westbury is home to possibly one of the brightest go-kart and sprintcar talents the country has ever seen?

With around 300 starts under his belt and some 60 odd trophies on the shelf, Tate Frost has had podium finishes against some of the best karters in the nation, if not the world, and is fast becoming the next car racing sensation in Australia. And he is just 16 years of age.

With a pedigree of car racers in his blood (his father Anthony and grandfather David were both racers in their own right), Tate is on track to surpass his forefathers’ successes and become one of the best this country has seen. Tate started go-karting when he was 9 years old and had his first competition win a year later at Smithton. He now races throughout Tasmania and is a frequent competitor on many of the mainland tracks.

Already he has picked up three Tasmanian Championship title wins and in 2016 Tate was awarded the “Tasmanian Karter of the Year” trophy after an outstanding season winning 24 races from 24 starts in his class. In August of this year, Tate competed in the 5th Round of the Australian Championship in Victoria and, after being placed in two heats, eventually finished 5th in a field of 36 in the Final. It should be noted that this field contained both national and overseas competitors including past champions.

Just last year, Tate started to race in sprintcar events and has already managed a podium finish in Hobart. The team is quietly confident the new season will bring Tate his first sprintcar win. Apart from exceptional skill and talent, Tate’s success is in no small way due to the dedication of his racing team and especially the determined and resolute support from his family. When asked about his plans for the immediate future, Tate says he’ll be looking to become a mechanic when he leaves school at St Patrick’s College in Launceston.

Presently Tate and his racing team are very busy fitting out the new transport vehicle for the team and cars. The huge articulated truck doesn’t just hold two cars; there are partitions and shelves everywhere for spare parts, extra frames and sets of wheels and tyres. And, up front is a small lounge area complete with couches, TV, fridge and microwave for the crew. The van even has a pop-up rooftop, which provides the crew with the perfect vantage point for viewing the races. As far as his future in racing goes, Tate says,

“Hopefully I’ll get to race in America.” Atop Tate’s wish list is to race in the NASCAR series. As he says, “It’s a big dream but we’ll be right to get there.” His father Anthony says, “My plan is that within five years he’ll be racing in America.” And his mother Deb adds confidently, “I don’t think there is any doubt that Tate will succeed in his racing future.”

And, with such a dedicated team at his side and such solid family backing, there is no reason to believe he won’t achieve his ultimate goal to compete on the NASCAR circuit. Further information on go-karting and sprintcar racing can be found on Facebook at AFR Anthony Frost Racing. You will also be able to keep up-to-date with Tate’s progress and see pictures of the new transporter.

Photo | Mike Moores