His father and former high school teacher Scott, taught all of Joyce’s children. 

“When Scott reached out for sponsors, I knew I wanted to get involved,” Joyce said. 

About a year ago the 16-year-old, now based in Newcastle, decided to transition to Formula Vee after a few years of successful go kart riding. 

This is the debut year for O’Hara who is in the lead for the Rookies and is placed 8th in the State Championships.

When the young rider decided to buy his first formula vehicle it was an old car, in storage, and in need of repairs.

Over the last year the 1600cc Eflin Formula Vee received a transformation, including a new 63 horsepower engine, to match O’Hara’s aspiring career. 

Painted in bright orange, stickers of his major sponsors, which include Goulburn Solar and The Astor Hotel, can be visibly seen. 

As he rides into this weekend’s combined Nationals (a first for him) and State Championships at the Sydney Motor Sport Park he holds the support of his hometown close to his heart. 

“I’m so happy. All of our sponsors are based in Goulburn, most of the support is from family and friends from Goulburn. It’s a really big thing and shows how big the community is,” he said.

“In the motorsport community, when you don’t have your name out there it’s hard to get sponsorship. It's a really good feeling that are supporting and watching us along the way.” 

Entering his first Nationals, O’Hara is proud of his state standing and says he will give it his all. “There’s never a time to be ready. You have to dive in. I may do well, I may not do well, but it’s always learning,” he said.

But Joyce sees it differently to most.

“I can see a real talent in him. To move into that category and start to be noticed, to me, it shows a great deal of ambition and a good future,” he said.

He says that young people, in the district and across the nation, need positive role models, a quality he believes O’Hara possess. “We’re helping him live his dream.”