The 2015/2016 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series was a historic season for Matt Forbes.
The affable bloke from Ballarat competed at two events in Super Gas, Modified and Top Sportsman, became the first Sportsman racer to win two ANDRA Christmas Trees in one event then became the first to do it twice in one season, amassed 1000 points across three brackets to win the John Storm Memorial Trophy and to top it off became the 2015/2016 Australian Modified Champion.
The latest Championship now sits alongside his two previous Super Gas titles in a trophy-laden patch of form dating back to 2013.
Competing in two brackets in the 2015/2016 ANDRA Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series was always going to require a considerable amount of effort and planning,” said Forbes.
“I am very fortunate to have a terrific team of marketing partners and crew members who share the same desire to run two cars at most events.
“To run at this level requires a lot of personal sacrifice, dedication and perseverance from all team members. Our goal at the start of the season was to be competitive at all races, to try and take home three event wins and be in a position to double up at one event and to not focus on the points.
“Our goal was to focus on each race and if our results were good enough the points will sort themselves out and we can fight for a Championship at the Grand Final event.”
Forbes reached and surpassed almost every goal and was a factor at the pointy end in six of the eight events he competed in at least one bracket. And his two Silver doubles six weeks apart were more than he could have hoped when he set out at the beginning of the season.
“Early into the Championship rounds, we were able to double up in Modified and Super Gas scoring two ANDRA Christmas trees at South Coast Raceway. It was an amazing weekend as we were the number #1 qualifier in each category as well.
“The feeling was certainly surreal and although it was a great accomplishment, we quickly focused on the next round of the points chase. Soon after at the Calder Park race we were able to double up again, this season had already far exceeded what we had hoped for.
“It was around this time I received a call asking if I would be interested in piloting a Top Sportsman car. After accepting the challenge, we now had three cars to contend with!”
The triple challenge at the Australian Nationals presented some unique scenarios but Forbes acclimated well and still piloted his Corvette Roadster to the Super Gas final going down to eventual Champion Darryl Stephen.
He took up the challenge once again for the ANDRA Championship Grand Final in Adelaide and although the Super Gas title wasn’t to be, he advanced to the Top Sportsman final and was declared Modified Champion by the end of Round 3 with an insurmountable points lead over Cory Dyson.
“Winning the Modified Championship in my first year racing a dragster is something I will cherish,” added Forbes.
“We had a great season and raced with a lot of terrific people. There are so many great racers in the class and the result could have gone one of five ways!
“I didn’t actually know I had won the Championship until just before the semi final race. Simon Barlow and Tim Stewart came and congratulated me as were we headed to the lanes.
“I asked my crew guys if this was correct, as we had made a point of not mentioning it and they confirmed we had it locked away the round before!
“I felt very proud of what we were able to achieve but I did have mixed emotions as I was a bit bummed I had made a driving error in the Super Gas car that cost me a chance of taking on Championship winner Darryl Stephen in the final, which would have decided the Championship. Darryl is a worthy two-time winner and I would have loved to have raced the final with him.
“One of our proudest accomplishments was scoring over 1000 ANDRA Championship points for the season, to achieve this meant winning lots of rounds of racing in all cars!
“To race in three brackets requires excellent preparation and mental strength. Full tree, pro tree, fixed index, DYO, door car, dragster and roadster. We have a lot of fun and have some more changes and challenges – as if we need more (laughs) coming for the new season!
“My team of marketing partners are incredible. We cannot keep the big wheels rolling without their dedication to our program. They really do love it as much as we love having them a part of our team. Lucas Oil Products, Sunset Performance Engines, Paul Rogers Performance Transmissions, APD carbs and Todd Barton Design. Thank you for Championship #3 in four years.”
ANDRA congratulates Matt Forbes on a super human effort this season in becoming the 2015/2016 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Modified Champion and a worthy John Storm Memorial Trophy winner.
Image credits: Bob Taylor / bobteee.webs.com (top), BrightDesign.com.au (right)