Mya makes her speedway debut on her 10th birthday in Gunnedah

The birthday candles had more meaning than most for 10-year-old Mya Keeler at Gunnedah Speedway last weekend.

As a fourth-generation speedway driver, Mya was destined to race. But rules stipulated she had to wait until she turned 10 to compete.

That moment finally arrived on Saturday’s race day at Gunnedah which coincidentally – as though the stars had aligned – was also Mya’s 10th birthday.

More on Saturday’s race in Gunnedah here: Wiggins wins ‘Shorty Forty’ race in Gunnedah – Gunnedah Times

After months of anticipation, car preparation and driving training at her pop’s farm – little Mya suited up to follow in the footsteps of her Narrabri-based speedway family.

Mya’s great-grandfather, Stan was involved in the north west speedway circuit for about 30 years; her grandfather Kevin raced his first car in 1980 and now dad Trent and uncle Todd, are also speedway drivers.

Despite the long lineage of family tradition, Mya took it all in her stride for her debut race.

“I was nervous at first but once I got on the track all the nerves went away,” she said.

Starting from the back of the field in the Junior New Stars division, Mya raced about eight laps against other novice drivers.

The young star showed natural talent for role, improving her lap times by the race end.

Mum, Rhiannon, her dad and a host of young fans were trackside to cheer on Mya in her first race. Some held “Go Mya” posters as her #88 Daihatsu Charade emblazoned in the speedway family’s green and gold colours, powered to the finish.

Such was the emotion of the moment, Mya said it even looked like tears were welling up in the eyes of her father.

Asked why she chose 88 for her car, Mya said eight was her lucky number, so why not go with 88 – for extra luck of course!

Mya thanked her dad for his help with her first race and is already eyeing off her next start which could be her home track at Narrabri.