Jewell grew up immersed in the sport, tagging along with his dad at circuits around Australia. His early memories include hating the noise, running from race cars, and eventually falling in love with the smell of fuel and the thrill of speed. After a start in karts — “I was always 25 kilos overweight and running up the back” — Jewell found his feet in Excel racing, thanks in part to Brent Peters, who helped him into his first proper race car.
That grounding led to a steady climb through the local ranks, into Bathurst’s famed 6 Hour, and more recently, the V8 SuperUtes Championship. The learning curve has been steep. “You only get 20 minutes of practice, then straight into qualifying. You’re trying to figure out a new car in real time,” Jewell said. His debut wasn’t without drama — including a self-confessed “brain fade” on the grid in front of a home crowd — but it also showcased his resilience, finishing solidly in the midfield and earning respect from seasoned rivals.
One of the standout moments this year came when Jewell and the team featured in a seven-page Street Machine spread, highlighting their journey from family garages to national stages. “It was surreal,” he said. “We had a photo in front of Dad’s old Torana years ago at Bathurst. To go back there, racing in front of that same sign, was pretty special.”
Away from the track, Jewell’s been sharpening his craft through sim work and racing at Perth’s RaceKraft facility — a discipline he says has helped his consistency and track awareness. “You’re not going to learn how to drive a car on the sim, but it keeps you sharp,” he explained.
With Bathurst ticked off and Townsville under his belt, Jewell’s already looking ahead. “If all I do is the six hour every year, I’ll be happy,” he said. “But the goal? To get back to Bathurst — and go faster.”
