JKD Racing team manager Dean Brooking with Superute prodigy Jensen Englehardt prepare to race at Symmons Park Raceway near Launceston.
Jensen Englehardt is showcasing promise throughout the early stages of his racing career.
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The north-east Victorian prodigy, who resides in Chesney Vale between Yarrawonga and Benalla, received quite the 17th birthday present, earning his debut V8 SuperUte appearance in the second round of the 2023 season.
Jensen began his time as a junior development driver, and at 18 is now co-owner of JKD Racing alongside his stepfather and team director, Dean Brooking.
‘Dustbuster’, renowned for his people-person persona, was awarded the Sportsmanship Award for the 2024 V8 SuperUte Series.
No stranger to Sydney Motorsport Park, Jensen’s 2025 effort at this season's opener raised eyebrows across the racing community.
In a challenging start to the campaign, the JKD Racing team had to overcome an electrical issue in Race 1, which resulted in an 18th-place finish.
A broken axle from the starting line in Race 2 and a severely damaged suspension component in Race 3 meant the team was slapped with a Did Not Finish in both races.
However, that would not keep the team down. Via social media, Jensen described his fourth and final race as “awesome”.
From 21st position, he conjured a career-best 12th-place finish, which he said had good battles and was a heap of fun.
Coming off the back of his best finish to date, JKD Racing now has a spring in its step.
Jensen Englehardt’s Toyota Hilux Superute
Manager Dean Brooking believes his boy has the makings to one day achieve Supercars status.
“He has the right friendly appeal and is fantastic with fans,” Dean said.
“His driving ability is beyond many young drivers I have seen over the years.”
At only 18 years of age, Jensen has established quite the racing portfolio.
His endeavours have taken him around the country and onto the sacred track at Bathurst.
Jensen idolised Peter Brock and Craig Lowndes growing up and shares his stepfather’s ambition to one day achieve V8 Supercars supremacy.
“Just have a go, have a crack; you don’t know until you try,” he said.
It was rumoured from a young age that motorsport would be the career path the V8 SuperUte racer would take.
Even when Jensen had self-doubt, those around him provided reassurance that he’d shown a racers' mindset, from a young age.
“My Year 6 teacher in primary school told me I would get there one day,” he said.
Jensen next races at Symmons Plains Raceway near Launceston in May.
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