RACING whiz kid Xander Antonieff is well on the way to completing his goal of turning pro after finishing the 2019 season with a rookie of the year award under his belt.
The 15-year-old Capalaba State College student finished 5th in the Queensland Racing Driver Championship to win with the award, which is presented to a driver based on the points they accrue during the season.
His career started on the go-kart course as a nine-year-old but sprung into life last year after becoming the youngest person in Australia to qualify for a national racing license.
Xander's father Michael Antonieff said he was just 14 points off a podium finish in the Queensland Racing Driver Championship this season and finished 13th in the club rounds against racers more than five times his age.
Mr Antonieff said Xander was over the moon to be presented the rookie of the year award at a special presentation dinner last December.
"He actually won it with about one and a half rounds to go," he said.
"He has been doing a little bit of testing since, has picked up a new sponsor and has got a new mentor."
Mr Antonieff said Xander's goals for 2020 were to finish in the top 10 during the club rounds and climb the podium in the Queensland championship, which would mean a first, second or third place finish.
When he spoke to the Redland City Bulletin last year, Xander said his long-term plan was to race in the V8 Supercars or travel the world as a professional Formula One driver.
His next race meet will be held at Warwick from March 27 to 29.
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