He first attended his home track of Carrick at six months of age and has been a regular ever since.

This year his passion for the sport he loves has been recognised with admission into the Speedway Australia rising star program for drivers aged 16-23.

The 17-year-old second-year motor mechanic from Evandale couldn’t be happier.

“To have been selected is an amazing opportunity,” Dickenson said.

Each year eight rising stars are chosen who have not only demonstrated passion but also driving ability to attend an intensive driver training camp held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

Ellis started racing at 11 years of age in a junior sedan where he quickly became one of the front running drivers.

He retired from this category at the end of last season as he had reached senior level.

Not rushing into a senior division of the sport straight away, he looked at several options.

As he was investigating he raced karts and in 2017 won the statewide series for KA3 senior light division after winning all four rounds during the year.

His eventual decision for a speedway class to compete in would lead to an AMCA car which is a smart move on his part as these cars are raced Australia wide and are very closely matched.

This also ensures a relatively level playing field and that those with big budgets are not buying wins.

In his first senior race he finished a creditable seventh against a large and very experienced field.

Since then he has shown plenty of speed however luck hasn’t been on his side as he is finding his feet.

““We researched a number of divisions before settling on the option to race an AMCA,” Ellis told Speedway Australia.

“We have competed at four race meetings to date with glimpses of potential, but lady luck has dealt a hand that has seen us finish on the infield apart from a 7th place after starting rear of a 15-car field.

“I would just like to acknowledge my family and my supporters who have provided the opportunity for me to compete week in week out and for that I am truly grateful.”

The three-day camp will be intensive covering all aspects of the sport from racecraft, nutrition and fitness through to marketing, networking and much more to assist in developing their profile and racing career.

Dickenson, who is the only Tasmanian to be selected for the 2018 program, leaves on Monday.

Saturday’s meeting at Gulf Western Speedway was called off due to poor weather conditions.