About Me

Hi, I'm Tom Derwent, a 20 year old second-generation racer from Moruya in NSW. I have an enormous passion for motorsport and going to the track to watch my Dad race Improved Production and learning in the simulator are some of my earliest memories. This year, I want to put my skills to the test against some of the enormous talent taking part in the inaugural year of the National Formula RX8 series.

My Racing History

I started racing in 2019, competing in CSCA Supersprints in a 1978 Triumph TR7 Sprint; a raw and analogue car prepared excellently by my Dad that was a fantastic base to learn both fundamental race craft and mechanical sympathy.

My Dad's passing in 2020 and Covid put a temporary pause on my racing. But with the support of my Mum and great friends in my local car club, who helped me to learn the skills to run the car myself, I was able to return to racing. Over 2021 and 2022, I continued to develop both the TR7 and myself to become one of the quickest cars in my class in CSCA.

I made the move to circuit racing in 2023 and began one make RX8 racing. While struggling with an underdeveloped car and a massive car set-up learning curve, I established myself as a top 10 competitor and continued to develop my driving and wheel to wheel racing skills.

Over the break, in preparation for my debut in the National Formula RX8 series, I extensively developed my car with help and advice from the F-RX8 technical team. All of this work paid off. I finished 5th in the first race of round 1, taking over a second off of my personal best at SMSP. While my weekend took an unfortunate turn with a wheel hub failure in race 2, I made it back on track in the final race, moving from 22nd to 9th place.

About Formula RX8

Formula RX8 is Australia's only not-for-profit, nationally televised one-make race series for the Mazda RX8. It is a major category within the national Hi-Tec Oils Super Series, which runs under the banner of the Australian Auto Sports Alliance. All rounds will be televised on Kayo, Foxtel and SBS.

It is a seven Round Championship taking place in four states

Round 1 - April 19-20 Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW

Round 2 - May 31- June 2 Morgan Park, QLD

Round 3 - June 28-30 - Queensland Raceway, QLD

Round 4 - Aug 30- Sept 1 - The Bend, SA

Round 5 - Oct 4-6 Winton Motor Raceway, VIC

Round 6 - Oct 25-27 One Raceway, NSW