Ben, an eager motor sports fan, was at the Bathurst 1000 after being granted a wish by the Starlight Children’s Foundation allowing him to attend his favourite V8 Supercars race.

In November 2012, Ben, who is from Wollongong, was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, a one in a million neurological disorder leaving him in constant pain.

His admiration for V8 Supercars has helped keep him positive this year.

As part of his wish Ben and his family were granted access to a corporate box for the entire Bathurst 1000 weekend. 

“I’ve have always been a keen rev head, I get it from Dad,” Ben said.

Ben's father, Michael Oakley, said all his sons shared a love of motor sports. 

“My wife and daughter aren’t rev heads they never have been, never will be but all the boys are passionate rev heads,” Michael said. 

On Sunday, Ben, a Holden fanatic, not only experienced the race from prime position but also celebrated his nineteenth birthday.

“To have my nineteenth birthday on race day it’s just made it even more amazing,” he said.

Nissan Motor Sport have been strong supporters of Ben and his fight, organising for him to meet motor sport star Craig Lowndes and the team at Red Bull/888 Racing.

On Monday, the Bathurst Motor Museum organised for Ben to sit in a Classic Car and experience a lap of the Mount.

The local community has also supported Ben and his family during their stay in Bathurst with The Hub providing breakfast, Church Bar and Woodfire Pizza providing dinner and Rydges Hotel at Mount Panorama providing lunch each day.

Next year Ben and his dad will walk from Wollongong to Bathurst to raise awareness for Ben’s disease. 

Drop A Dollar for Rare Diseases is a charity started by Michael, which asks everyone for a small donation to look further into Rare Diseases such as Ben’s.

For more information on Ben’s journey follow his Facebook page, Roll On Ben Oakley.