MEET JAMES LODGE
From the moment he first attended his first Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix at the age of five, James Lodge was hooked on motorsport.
Beginning his karting career at 11-years-old, James Lodge grew his knowledge by reading books and watching documentaries on the world of motorsport. Since 2016, Lodge has developed his skills to be a contender, demonstrating he had what it takes in just his third race by finishing on the podium in Cadet 12 while still on his racing P Plates.
Building on this result proved successful for James as Australia’s leading karting operation Shamick Racing recruited him to join its team of talented drivers. In 2019, James stepped up to the preimier junior category, KA2. The highlight of his debut KA2 season was finishing fifth in the Race of Stars event on the Gold Coast. Continuing to display his talent on Australian shores, James soon took the next step following an invite from Marco Parolin to race overseas.
Racing against the worlds best, James scored a top 10 result in the OK-Junior class. This European experience proved James belongs on the world stage. After a disrupted two years, James’ European return has been stalled, whilst his focus has shifted to car racing, beginning in 2022.
![](https://jameslodgeracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Motor-Racing1-copy.jpg)
THE NEXT STEP
FROM KARTS TO RACE CARS
Toyota 86 Gazoo GR Cup Series in 2024
James is racing in the Toyota 86 Gazoo GR Cup Series in 2024
TGRA 86 is such an exciting platform for talented drivers to demonstrate and develop their skills and shine on some of Australia’s best racing circuits. Every round, two invited professional drivers compete against a potential field of more than 35 ambitious race car drivers, who are also provided with a dedicated motorsport off-track mentor for each race weekend. The TGRA 86 Series demands competitors adhere to a strict car setup, ensuring that the driver’s talent, rather than team budget, is key to winning glory.
James has had an amazing start to the Toyota 86 Gazoo GR Cup Series, coming up from ExcelsStarting off with his first ever street race in Townsville, James qualified 2 nd on the grid. From therehe managed to finish the races 3 rd , 2 nd and 3 rd out of 32 respectively. Leaving Townsville 2 nd in the Championship.
2 weeks later in Sydney, James qualified the fastest and started race 1 from pole position!Unfortunately, in race 1 a fuel sensor issue caused his engine to fail putting James back to 29 th position.Starting race 2 from P 29, James did an amazing job driving through the field, overtaking 19 cars in 10 laps to come home in 10 th position. It was a spectacular drive!
Race 3, James started from P10, driving another fantastic race to finish up in P4 just behind the 3 leading cars.
James left Sydney, holding both the Excel and now the Toyota 86 fastest lap record.. Only 2 rounds into the series and James is right up there in the championships standings.. Get on board and join us in our journey over the next 3 rounds at Sandown, Bathurst and Gold Coast…and hopefully on to bigger and better things in 2025.
https://www.toyota.com.au/gazoo-racing/gr-cup
Hyundai Excel Motor Sport Series
![Hyundai Racing](https://jameslodgeracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hyundai.webp)
Hyundai Excel has quickly become a development category of choice for many racers straight out of karting. 2023
It has been the first step in the career of many of Australia’s professional race car drivers, including current drivers like Brock Feeney, Ben Bargwanna and Jay Hanson . Every race is live streamed on Blen Line TV, which has up to 40 000 viewers per weekend. 160 000 views over the 6 rounds. Great exposure for sponsors There is no questioning the importance of Hyundai Excel in building champions, and James Lodge? Well, he will be next.
In 2022 James made the step up from go-karting, into the Hyundai Excel State Championship with Ashley Seward Racing. In his first year, James came away with a 3rd place podium and completed the championship in 5th position. James will continue in the State and National Excel series during 2023.
Our aim is to build a long term, mutually beneficial relationship, with our main goal being to gain exposure for your brand and showcase your service and product to build raving fans. We want to share your brand and offering to the world through our partnership. We will work with you, to ensure we are both aligned in messaging and will offer as much value as possible.
![](https://jameslodgeracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NEXT-STEP-copy1.webp)
Dovetailing his maiden circuit racing season with a step up to the highest level of karting in Australia, KZ2, Lodge was in for a busy year.
Hyundai Excel racing has emerged as a key development category in Australian Motorsport and James joined the competitive Victorian State Championship with noted team Ashley Seward Motorsport.
It was James’ first race meeting outside of a kart, and he impressed on debut. Qualifying fifth in a field of 55, James finished sixth in an impressive display, which was improved upon at the next round of Winton. Starting from third, James finished inside the top four to leave Round 2 fourth in the title.
After promising signs in only James’ first few races in a car, James knows he has what it takes, and is ready to take the next step in his career.
SPONSORSHIP
![James sponsership](https://jameslodgeracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sponsership1A.webp)
Premium partner of James Lodge Racing, including:
• Logo placement on James’ car
• Logo placement on James’ race suit and his helmet
• Money can’t buy experiences for your staff and customers
• Hot lap experiences and behind the scenes tours
• Use of James Lodge as an athlete and ambassador for your brand
• Access to all intellectual property and creative
• B2B and B2C opportunities with existing and new partners
• Staff and customer incentives
• Social media support and content
• Communications driven to create earned media
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