General News
28 June, 2026
Hopetoun teen races to early success
Hopetoun teenager Blake Pavlovsky has quickly made his mark in motorsport, claiming about five wins and regularly outperforming older competitors during his first two years behind the wheel.
The 16-year-old began racing after years of watching his father compete and joining him as a passenger.
“Dad’s been doing it for a long time, and I’ve always liked watching him, but I was never old enough to do it until recently,” Blake said.
He first competed at about 15 years old in the family’s old Commodore before moving into a yellow Ford XR6.
“The first time I did it, it was really fun,” he said.
Blake has competed regularly in Mildura and South Australia, primarily in the junior category.
He has also tested himself against adult drivers in the six-cylinder class.
“I come first in the juniors almost every time,” he said.
During one South Australian competition, Blake placed first in the junior category and third overall against competitors in the open six-cylinder class.
He estimates he has won about five events during the past two years, including three competitions in Mildura and two in South Australia.
Blake recently reached the finals of a South Australian competition over the weekend, but gearbox problems prevented him from completing the event.
The setback has not slowed his plans, with his family working to repair the XR6 before a major competition at Tailem Bend in August.
His strong performances have also attracted support from sponsors, including Falconoath Performance, which provided a sponsored tune for the car.
“It’s made me feel pretty good because obviously it’s not easy to win all the time,” Blake said.
Motorsport remains uncommon among young people in Hopetoun, but Blake hopes his achievements will encourage others from small communities to give it a try.
“There’s no one I really know around the area who does what we do, so it’s definitely pretty rare to see,” he said.
Blake encouraged aspiring competitors to begin at their own pace and focus on enjoying the experience.
“Take your time with it and start off small,” he said.
“You don’t have to go crazy at the start.
“It’s always going to be fun no matter what you’re driving or how well you do.”
Read More: Hopetoun