A 10-MINUTE commute to work would be enough for many people to be smiling during Clipsal week, but for Simon Hodge its just a bonus.

The 20-year-old from Mitcham has walked away from Formula 3’s return to the opening round of the V8 Supercar championship at the Clipsal 500 with three wins and a lap record — a 1:17.9726.

He describes it as a dream come true — not a bad haul for his first on-track crack at his home event, having only debuted in the category late last year from Formula Ford.

“To win on a circuit that I used to come here and watch all my racing heroes, to do well here means a whole lot,” he said.

The mechanical engineering student is the first in his family to do anything remotely connected to motorsport — his parents are pharmacists by trade — but his name is now on the outright track lap record at the Adelaide street circuit.

The young former Formula Ford driver paid tribute to Adelaide-based Team BRM for preparing the Mygale Mercedes race car, which he had to work hard in race three after two clear wins from pole position on Friday and Saturday.

“Ben made me work very hard for it, I really enjoyed the challenge, it was all about racing hard and fair and I think we achieved that, it was really enjoyable,” he said.

Growing as a driver is key among Hodge’s aims for his time in Formula 3, but longer term a Porsche Carrera Cup drive and time behind the wheel of a V8 Supercar is in his sights.

“I view Formula 3 as a fantastic development category for me, I believe the next step would be Porsche Carrera Cup and then targeting a co-drive from there,” he said.

But while the self-confessed Holden fan and Adelaide boy is keen on the V8s, his eyes could be drawn overseas.

“I’m definitely open to any overseas options that come available but at the moment focus is on V8 Supercars ... I’d love to make a full-time career out of that but would welcome the opportunity to go overseas and challenge myself over there as well,” he said.

Hodge has had his family and friends trackside and is thankful for his parents support, which goes back to his start in go-karts out at Bolivar in Adelaide’s north.

“The whole family and all my friends have come down to watch, it was great to race in front of such a supportive home crowd, it’s been a great buzz,” he said.