Speedcars young gun targets last Magic race

Port Kennedy driver Kaiden Manders was just 16 years old and a virtual unknown when he won WA’s biggest Speedcar race, the Magic Man 34.

Two years later, the 18-year-old apprentice mechanic is coming into Saturday’s final running of the Magic Man 34 event in hot form, having won the opening round of the Perth Motorplex season at the Speedway Grand Opening just under two weeks ago.

The Magic Man 34 is run in honour of Michael Figliomeni, who was one of WA’s best Speedcar drivers.

He died after a heart attack in the pit area of Perth Motorplex during an event, just minutes after having won a heat race.

Manders said the significance of the Magic Man 34 was not lost on him, despite being just eight years old when Figliomeni died.

“Unfortunately I didn’t get to see a lot of Michael racing in person but I have watched all his races on YouTube and I used to study his racing so hard, he was a hero,” he said.

“To be able to win his race was amazing and I will give it my ultimate in this last one.”

The Figliomeni family have decided to make this year’s event the final Magic Man 34 and it will go out in prestigious fashion with $34,000 in total prize money and $12,000 for the winning driver.

Manders will be one of the favourites for victory after his early season performances.

He will also dabble in 360 Sprinters this season.

The race runs from 6pm on Saturday at Perth Motorplex.