Race Tasmania: Greg Crick's grandson Charlie following in footsteps

The 16-year-old is the grandson of Launceston racing royalty Greg Crick, who's been by Parker's side while he competes in Race Tasmania at Symmons Plains and Baskerville.

Parker himself scored his first podium finish in the Hyundai Excel category at Symmons last Tuesday.

"I'm pretty wrapped with that one," he said.

"I had a good start ... just concentrated on getting off the line and staying behind the other cars. Because once you fall out of that slipstream it's really hard to keep up."

Crick was amazed with how quickly his grandson had taken on to racing.

"He came on so well ... he was in a car that was pretty standard without a built engine and he was still maximising the car and driving it to its potential very quickly," he said.

"So we developed it a bit more with better shocks and then an engine.

"He seems to be able to do it straight away to whatever you give him - we've improved the car, we've improved the brakes, we've improved the engine for this series ... and he's maximised it at every opportunity."

Parker said he was very priviledged to have his Tasmanian Motorsport Hall of Fame grandfather helping him.

"It's been amazing and I couldn't ask for anything more," Parker said.

"He's given me such a head-start with just his knowledge that he's passed on to me."

Not only does Parker have Crick at his back, but also the support of Ampol Redbull Supercars team owner and mate of Crick's Roland Dane.

"It's been one of the best weekends I've ever had, it's been awesome to have Roland here too guiding me in the right steps and keeping me organised," Parker said.

As for a career in racing, it was a natural decision for Parker.

"I don't think it was ever in my head that I wouldn't have a go at it ... and then once I had a go I stitched grandad up - he's never going to get out of it," he said. Crick agreed with Parker's natural-born love for motorsport, and couldn't help but get a little emotional about how proud he was.

"It's a priviledge to do something like this with your grandson," he said.

"He's loved it since he was a little kid because I was racing.

"He was never a minute's trouble; he just never took his eyes off it [the track] and he was always running around the house making car noises ... nothing's changed - he still does that.

"This is his fifth race meeting and he's never done go-karts ... all he's done is driven around beaches and paddocks."