By Deanne Jeffers
LOCAL family, the Roycrofts of Aereodrome Automatics, have carved out a reputation on the track.
Felicity and her mechanic-by-trade husband Shane are well-known in the speedway scene, having competed around the country bringing home trophies and awards back to Shepparton.
Their sons – Oliver aged six and Nate aged three – are already proving to share their parents’ passion, with Oli racing quarter midgets from age five, and Nate showing a keen interest in cars.
Felicity began racing six years ago and competes in both ladies and open competitions. Recently she received the President’s Award and Drivers Choice Award at Speedway Wangaratta’s presentation night.
“The drivers chose who their most respected driver was. It was so cool and one of the coolest trophies I’ve got, because to think my peers are thinking the same thing about me is incredible,” said Felicity.
Felicity has had multiple feature wins this season, including Queen of the Murray winner, Most Consistent, Sports Sedan Champion, Darren Levy Memorial Winner, and many more. After winning her first race in Tasmania last year, Felicity went on to
be Team Australia’s first selection to compete against Team New Zealand.
From all their victories, a competition the Roycroft’s won’t forget is the 2019 Australian Street Stock Championships when Felicity went into labour with their youngest.
“We were in Queensland for the event. People travel from all over Australia for the National Title, and they were the first people to meet Nate, before my own family,” recalls Felicity.
“Shane raced the first race, and he popped a tyre when he was in the lead. I was watching over livestream in hospital and the commentators were talking about me and the baby – it was pretty cool,” she said.
Now raising the next generation of racers, neither Shane nor Felicity are showing any sign of slowing down. Determined to share her passion, Felicity is implementing a buddy program through the club to encourage young and female racers to take up racing and stick at it.
“Some little words of encouragement can be the difference between sticking at something or giving it up,” she said.
Wangaratta Speedway president, Kenneth Mankey wanted to thank Felicity for her help over the season.
“Everyone knows of Felicity Roycroft, but what they don’t know is the stuff she does behind the scenes from working on the front gate, helping in the canteen during a race meeting for a race she’s in, to helping the quarter midget kids, to trophy presentations – she is a full package deal,” he said.
