Team Mopar Australia’s main man and mini-me racer, Lee and Leon Bektash, head to Adelaide this weekend in the same transporter at the same time and with the same goal – to clean up at the Lady Daly Hotel Springnationals.
The senior Bektash has had a late season charge with victory at the 2013 Nitro Champs and it’s form he is looking to continue with and even share with son Leon.
“I love winning”, explained Lee. “But I think I would be twice as happy for Leon if he were to take home some trophies.
“Drag racing is very much a family sport and racing with my son is one of the many things that I love about this sport. It’s pretty amazing to be able to do this with my boy.”
Bektash currently sits third in the points chase and is still a chance at the championship, especially if points leader Jason Grima or team mate Wayne Daley have a tough weekend.
Team Mopar debuted an ex-Allan Johnson Racing Dodge Avenger (pictured above) imported from the US earlier this year and this is the first time Bektash will have the new car in Adelaide though he did race his former car, a Dodge Stratus, there in October (pictured below).
“The air conditions in Adelaide are amazing and Rino D’Alfonso and the Racing Onn crew have done a great job with the track,” he said. “Now it’s time for us to entertain some South Australian fans the best way we know how – at over 300 kilometres per hour.”
Leon was equally keen to get onto the track.
“I’m still starting off but I’m lucky to have my Dad and a great crew working to help get me down the track, so I have to say thank you to the Ward family. I’m still learning but it the best fun ever!” concluded Leon.
The Lady Daly Hotel Springnationals at Adelaide International Raceway also includes ANDRA Drag Racing Series rounds of Top Doorslammer and Pro Stock Motorcycle plus a round of the Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship.
Qualifying begins today with racing Saturday. Click here for more information about the event.
Top image courtesy Grant Stephens.