THE Heffernan family lives by the philosophy that the family that races together, stays together.

Dad Kevin hit the track at Morgan Park at the weekend, in one race going head to head with his younger son, Ashley.

The up-and-coming 19-year-old took the lead from his dad early in the race and held on to the top spot for the remainder of the race.

At the end of the race, Kevin threw his arms around his son in adulation of his win.

The Beenleigh clan travelled to Warwick for the CAMS Nationals competition at the weekend.

Racing is clearly in the Heffernan blood, with Kevin's father John buying the Holden Torana Ashley raced at the weekend back in 1975.

John only retired from racing about five years ago, after an impressive racing career that spanned four decades.

Kevin's older son Jamie, 21, is also a force to be reckoned with on the circuit.

Although Kevin taught his kids how to drive, he said he allowed them to build on the skills he gave them.

"I just show them a certain way to do it and they have to work it out for themselves from there," he said.

All parents want their kids to succeed in life but Kevin said he wanted to make sure his kids earned their wins.

"Like any dad, I think my kids are brilliant," he said.

"But I treat them the same as any other competitor and they have to beat me - I don't go easy on them.

"I have never pushed them into racing but they have always been around cars and they just hopped in."

Despite a clear love for all things racing, Kevin said it was hard to pinpoint exactly what was behind it.

"I honestly don't know why I have done it for so long because it's a lot of work," he said. "But I tell you something, I will be doing it for a bloody long time."

Kevin's boss Gary Jackson also competed against the Heffernans at the weekend event.

Gary was accompanied by his wife Carol, who is also a motor car racer.