Former Queensland champion John Lawson has helped create a unique piece of motorsport history, with three generations of his family claiming the top three places in a micro sprint feature race at the Lockyer Valley Speedway in Gatton.
Competing under the Lawson Racing banner, grandson Lucas Dansey took victory in the May 16 feature race, with his mother Michelle Dansey finishing second and Lawson third.
The result marked the fulfilment of a long-held goal for the veteran racer, who has spent decades involved in speedway racing.
“That was a goal of mine, to come first, second and third, and we achieved that goal,” Lawson said.
The 80-year-old has been involved in speedway racing since the 1970s and has played a major role in introducing both his daughter and grandson to the sport.
Lawson said Michelle showed natural ability from a young age after beginning in go-karts.
“I said to her, ‘When you beat my times, I’ll put you in the race car’,” he said.
“I think it was only two meetings and bang, she beat my times. She’s that quick.”
Lucas has also impressed in his first full season of racing, producing a dominant performance at Gatton by winning all four races on the night.
“Lucas is just a born natural,” Lawson said.
“He got a hat-trick as well. He won all four races for the night.”
Beyond driving, Lawson is heavily involved in preparing the family’s race cars, spending much of his retirement in the workshop.
“I turned 80 this year and I’m still racing,” he said.
“The preparation for these cars is basically five days a week to make sure they’re in top order and up the front.”
Lawson said smooth driving and racecraft were key elements he had always tried to pass on to younger drivers.
“I’ve always insisted that anybody who races my cars has to be smooth,” he said.
“Smooth and precise, and pick your timing when you’re going to pass.”
A former Queensland champion himself, Lawson won the Queensland Micro Sprint Championship at Archerfield Speedway in 2017 at the age of 74, becoming the oldest driver in Australia to win a championship in any speedway class.
Now, with three generations sharing success on the track, he believes the family’s racing story is far from over.
“Once it gets in your blood, that’s it,” Lawson said.
“You can’t get it out of your blood.”
