JAMES McFadden is a well-travelled man.
Still not out of his 20s, the talented second generation Sprintcar driver but third-generation competitor, whose grandparents on both sides raced various forms of motorsport (including boats and rally), has spent his life in many different parts of the globe.
Born and bred originally in Alice Springs where he crewed as a teenager alongside his father Dave for fellow celebrated Northern Territorian Danny Reidy, it would have seemed inevitable the slightly built, cheeky kid would wind up doing things fast.
And fast he was – well, is.
Fronting up for his World Series Sprintcars debut as a fresh-faced 16-year-old at the daunting Premier Speedway Warrnambool, McFadden did the then unthinkable and set ‘quick time’ in qualifying.
It was unheard of then and still is now.
Originally, he stayed domiciled in “a town like Alice”, but the lure of some big-time opportunities outside racing for his ever-supportive Mum and Dad saw him move to North Queensland to race and work with new team owner and racer Dan Morton.
His involvement with the Sunshine State would not end there, as a future apprenticeship with Supercar and Sprintcar engine building giant KRE Engines beckoned.
This was a major shot in the arm for his already growing Sprintcar prowess.
Building and maintaining his own motors – and those of his rivals – taught the emerging McFadden plenty about going even faster and even more consistently.
By now several of the country’s biggest Sprintcar teams were showing interest and eventually “J-Mac” would saddle up with a Kalgoorlie West Australian family team led by principals Scott and Stephanie Milling.
McFadden had a new happy home with the Millings and the Totally Workwear #25 was to become one of the most iconic cars in the country over the next few years in his hands.
Success followed quickly.
World Series Sprintcars round wins inevitably became WSS Championships (a pair of them) and then the dream come true of an Australian Sprintcar Championship victory in his beloved Northern Territory at Darwin’s Northline Speedway seemed to be the icing on the cake.
If, that is, McFadden had been satisfied with only that.
Another Australian title win followed at Archerfield Speedway in Brisbane and by now the skinny kid from the Territory was the hottest property in the country.
And, it would turn out, the Americans were craning their necks for a better look.
McFadden was making frequent trips to the USA to race during the Australian off-season and starting to win there too.
Throughout this whirlwind journey, has been a shy young woman from Mount Gambier by his side.
Zoe Douglass’ family are Sprintcar devoted stock who, through Dad Gary’s business GT Bobcat, have sponsored and supported many drivers here in Australia and the USA.
When McFadden won the Australian title in NT it was his home Territory.
When he won in Brisbane he was living in QLD building motors with KRE.
Now coming to Mount Gambier for the 2018 Australian Sprintcar Championship he has his “in-laws” and girlfriend Zoe from there.
It is not hard to look for a common omen in there.
McFadden now lives in Warrnambool with Zoe when he is not racing extensively each year in the USA.
“Mount Gambier is always going to be special to me because it’s Zoe’s home town,” he said.
“I have spent a lot of time here over the years and it’s a beautiful place.
“I always love coming here and I always enjoy racing at Borderline.”
For the last two seasons he has been racing for wealthy West Australian market gardener Luch Monte for the air-craft carrier like Milwaukee Tools backed operation.
“He’s a good boy,” said the colourful Monte when asked to describe his new driver.
“And I’d say that even if he was not winning races for me.
“He’s a good man who takes time to do the right thing by kids, fans and sponsors.
“For me he’s the complete package.”
And that package is tightly bundled right now.
McFadden and the Monte Motorsport team have been on a tear, winning their first four races of the season including an SRA round here at Borderline Speedway.
There could not be a better start to 2017/2018 for “J-Mac”.
However, before he even got started in Australia last month, arguably the biggest win of his career to date came off-shore in the USA at the famed “Williams Grove Speedway”, where he won a preliminary A-Main with the World of Outlaws.
Putting it in perspective, he won a semi-final of the US Open in any other form.
So, things are going swimmingly for the affable travelling man in the red and white #17.
He’s poised to start his World Series Sprintcars campaign next week and will race here in Mount Gambier on December 28.
He will then return for the annual Kings Challenge on January 18.
In effect that is the perfect build up for a shot at the national title on January 25-27.
It would be foolish to pick a winner for the sport’s biggest prize, but nobody says you can not suggest a favourite.
Cast a glance towards the Territory born, Warrnambool based, Mount Gambier loving’ James McFadden if you get a chance.
