The ‘Speed’ is no nickname. It’s his real middle name.

Says so, right there on the birth certificate.

Brock was named after the Australian motor racing legend Peter Brock.

What’s more, he was born on October 12, in 2007, while the Bathurst 1000 race was on.

So it’s hardly a surprise, then, that young Brock should find himself immersed in motor sports.

“I’ve been watching anything to do with racing since I was born,” he said.

He watched much of the recent Bathurst 12-hour race. But he also recorded it, so he can go back and watch it again and again.

“And I know quite a lot about racing – from V8 Supercars, and Formula 1, to go karting.”

His father, Scott, shrugs and smiles when asked if he had taken a risk in naming his son.

“Look, his name is Brock Speed, so we were always going to get him into [racing]. But he’s lived up to his name. He can drive,” he said.

Brock is the reigning Cadet 9 champion at Newcastle Kart Racing Club.

This weekend, Brock will begin his quest for a national title, when his home club hosts the first round of the Australian Kart Racing Championships. at the Cameron Park circuit.

And dad is putting his wallet where his heart is.

Mr Barber estimates he has spent $30,000 supporting Brock’s development in the sport, since he began track racing at age seven.

To contest the national title, Team Barber must travel to Victoria (twice), Queensland and South Australia.

So Mr Barber recently bought a van that will become their transport, accommodation, kitchen and garage for the series.

“How far you go in motor sport really does come down to the size of dad’s wallet,” Mr Barber said.

“But we love it. It’s a real ‘dad and lad’ thing. I’m the manager, the mechanic, the caterer, the tactician. It’s a busy day.”

Brock will compete in a Kosmik OTK kart, which has a Vortex MiniRok 60cc engine, capable of speeds nudging 90km/h.