At 32, Peter Boylan was a late starter to the thrills of motorsport. With a fledgling business and a wife and two young children to support, his initial foray was modest: an open wheel Sports 1300 - "Just about the cheapest form of motor racing I could get into". In his first race, he came last - much to the disappointment of his little daughter. Her cry of 'Why didn't the other drivers wait for my daddy?' is now enshrined in family folklore. However, the determination that saw him recover from the business losses of Cyclone Tracey (see History), was now applied to motor racing.

By 1980, he was the NSW open wheel champion – a year later, he was Australian champion. Many successes followed, including competing overseas in 24-hour races, and a US stint in 1995 co-driving a BMW M3 with three-time Formula 1 World Champion Jack Brabham. He won a first in class in the 2003 and 2004 Bathurst 24-hour races and, in his first ever drive in a Porsche 997, scored a third in the 2006 Porsche Carrera Cup series in Macau – at 62, the oldest competitor in the series.

The friendships Peter has forged in the motor racing world have filtered through to his business life. His mate - racing star and commentator Neil Crompton - has recently taken on a sponsorship role with Boylan Traffic Solutions. Crompton's career received a major boost in the early 1990s when Peter, dogged by a bout of hepatitis and glandular fever, offered him his Formula Brabham car to drive. Neil finished second in the championship – his first major success in a career that has since gone on to stellar heights. Peter says he's grateful to the many people who have helped him in his motorsport career.

Ten years ago, Ross Palmer, managing director of swimming pool product company Poolrite, gave him his first drive in a 24-hour race. "It was the start of an exciting new phase in my sporting life and I'll be forever grateful for that," Peter says. Three years ago, Geoff Morgan, of Morgan and Banks, persuaded Peter to try his hand at racing Porsches. "Geoff was so supportive while I was learning the ropes … and we continue to drive in 24-hour races together," Peter says.

The sport's competitive challenges and social networks are the motivators which keep Peter vitally involved well into his 60s. "You can't win races by yourself," Peter says. "You’ve got to have a team behind you – and when you're winning, the team's winning. "I've met so many great friends through motor racing. "I may not see them from one year to the next but, when we do catch up, it's like we saw each other only last weekend," he says.

Motorsport highlights

In a sporting life packed with highlights, it's hard to isolate the defining moments, says Peter Boylan. "However, sharing a car with [three-time Formula 1 World Champion] Jack Brabham has to be one of them," he says. The year was 1995, and Peter had joined Brabham in the US to co-drive a BMW M3. "It was a great thrill … but then, there have been lots of great thrills," Peter says. Competing at three of the iconic motor racing circuits of the world – Macau, Nurburgring and Le Mans – has been a long-held dream. "I've managed Macau and Nurburgring … however, Le Mans is one I've yet to crack."

Race History:

Began racing in 1976 and has raced extensively in both open wheeler and production car categories. Australian National Champion in 1981 in open wheel category. State NSW Champion in 1980 in open wheel category.

2001 GT Performance Championship (Australia) BMW 325 and Mitsubishi Evo 5.

2002 GT Performance Championship (Australia) BMW M3.

2002 Bathurst 24 Hour (Australia) 1st in class and 6th outright.

2003 GT Performance Championship (Australia) BMW M3.

2003 Bathurst 24 Hour (Australia) 1st in class BMW M3 and 9th outright.

2004 GT Performance Championship (Australia) BMW M3.

2004 Nurburgring 24 Hour.

2005 GT Performance Championship (Australia) BMW M3.

2005 Spa 6 Hour race.

2006 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Series (Asia) Porsche 997 – 3rd in class at Macau round of Series and 1st Porsche driver across finish line in that race. At 62, Peter was the oldest driver competing in the 2006 PCCA Series.

2007 Porsche Carrera Cup Series (Asia) finished 2nd in Class B and 10th overall.

2007 Dubai 24 Hour Endurance race (Dubai) Porsche 996 – 11th in class.

2007 Nurburgring 24 Hour event – 1st Porsche Cup 997 to finish, 16th outright (out of over 250 starters).

2008 Racing: Aston Martin Asia Cup

Current sponsors: Boylan Traffic Solutions Bottlezap Pty Ltd

Future Ambitions: To continue motor racing for as long as possible.

Dream race car: I'm driving it!

Favourite road car: Aston Martin Vantage V8

Current road car: Aston Martin Vantage

Favourite driver/sporting hero: Australian racing legend Peter Brock

Favourite circuit: Nurburgring

Best racing moment: Winning class at Bathurst 24 Hour event. Being on the podium both times I've raced at Macau.

Worst racing moment: End-over-ending my Subaru WRX at a brand new circuit. Running out of fuel whilst leading a race only 100 metres from the finish line.