Sport
23 September, 2025
Racing into record books
HE’S only five years old but Beachmere’s Leo Melia has just become the youngest driver ever in Australia to join kart company Parolin Australia’s development program.
The young Irish-Australian kart racer was announced as a Factory Development driver on September 12, having signed a multi-year developmental deal starting in 2026.
In this role Leo will be given a dedicated training and development schedule designed by Parolin Australia, while also representing the company with on- and off-track appearances, and throughout social media platforms.
The program will also see Leo equipped with the latest Parolin Cadet chassis and factory development components, while receiving technical support at key events.
Leo’s father, Paddy Melia, said he is thrilled for his son.
“We’re trying to keep it really fun at that age, but I’m absolutely delighted for him,” he said.
“He’s very focused, and I think it helps he doesn’t have too much thrown at him at once.
“He thinks about school, and then when we go racing, he thinks about that for the weekend, and he’s not thinking about technology, or cartoons, or a lot of these other things.”
Leo is a third-generation driver, dating back to his grandad, Brian, who raced single rally in Ireland. Mr Melia himself did some rally racing before coming over to Australia 13 years ago, along with his two sisters, and has now passed the racing passion onto Leo.
“There’s always been racing in the family, and it’s just a really good family sport,” he said.
“One of the things about it is that you spend a lot of time together.
“So you go away maybe Friday to Sunday, and you’re figuring out problems together, you’re sharing the success together, you’re sharing the disappointment together.
“I don’t think there’s a sport like it.”
Leo currently races the track at Dalby, where he reaches speeds of up to 70km/h, but hopes to be able to reach higher speeds once he’s old enough to practice on bigger tracks, like Ipswich, later this year.
Mr Melia said he tries to show Leo that learning is the most important thing at his age, by teaching him to have respect and compassion for others. An example of this is that Leo shakes hands with the other competitors at the end of each race.
Despite not watching much TV, Leo is fascinated by real-life heroes such as Irish polar explorer, Tom Crean.
“I think he enjoys the adventure and perseverance of that,” Mr Melia said.
Perhaps it is those same traits of adventure and perseverance that will see Leo have success in the future.
Parolin Australia Team Owner, Kris Walton, said Leo represented exactly the kind of talent and dedication they want to nurture at Parolin Australia.
“Our team is committed to help young drivers grow, improve and succeed on and off the track,” he said.
In June this year, Member for Pumicestone, Ariana Doolan, included Leo as one of the first recipients of her new Bright Future Grants.
Ms Doolan said she and the community are so proud of Leo.
“It is incredible to see how far Leo has come since receiving his Bright Future Grant earlier this year,” she said in a statement.
“Leo is well on his way to becoming a future champion, and we’re proud to support his journey.”
