Ballarat drag racer Matt Forbes has won his second consecutive Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship in Super Gas, securing the title at the Australian Nationals in Sydney on Sunday.
Forbes wrapped up the title in the first round of eliminations at Sydney Dragway after fellow title contenders, Danny Bucella, Colin Griffin and Graham Spencer, were knocked out early.
Forbes dominated the season, winning three rounds of the championship, in Sydney, Mildura and Adelaide.
“We’ve had commanding performances all year so it’s fitting that we ended up with the crown – you’re spoilt winning one championship, but to win two in consecutive years is huge,” Forbes said.
“It’s what we have worked towards all year, racing all over Australia and chasing points. We work hard, focus and make sure we have the right equipment, so and back-to-back titles is proof of our commitment.”
While retaining the highly sought after number one for his car, Forbes was unable to maintain his 12-month long winning streak, being beaten in the second round of eliminations for the Nationals by Jake Culmone – who went on to win the event.
Forbes believes Super Gas is one of the sport’s most competitive categories in which any one can win.
“Jake [Culmone] is new to the class but he’s a tough, young racer, so it was good to see him go on to win the Nationals,” Forbes said.
“The championship is a wonderful prize, but It still hurts to not take out the double with a Nationals win as well, like we did last year, but it’s made me hungrier to come back stronger next year.”
Forbes was presented with the most prestigious trophy in drag racing, the ANDRA Championship Gold Christmas Tree, at the ANDRA Championship dinner last night.
Image courtesy: dragphotos.com.au