Putting on a display of great consistency throughout the recent Australian RSA Street Stocker Title at Gilgandra Speedway in western NSW, Brendan Wakeman was pleased to come home in the runner-up spot for the second time in his career.
Initially placing second in the 2015-16 season Australian Title at Tamworth’s Oakburn Park Speedway to Blake Eveleigh, the current NSW and Queensland Champion was one of the hot favourites heading into this season’s running of the event, and he certainly lived up to those expectations.
Qualifying equal highest in points by virtue of strong run throughout his heat races, Wakeman was awarded the pole position start for the 30-lap feature race and while he managed to get
the jump on fellow front-row starter Kiona Sunerton the first time around, he lost out to his rival on the restart, slotting into second place after the opening lap.
From there, Wakeman enjoyed a close and competitive race, but with no clean passing opportunities available, he was forced to settle for second place; a position he was pleased to have been able to achieve.
“It was a hard race, but a fair one, and Kiona did a fantastic job of maintaining her lead – I just couldn’t get the jump on her,” commented the Dungog, NSW-based racer, who over the Australia Day long weekend was named the Senior Sportsperson of the Year for the Dungog Shire.
“Running second in an Australian Title is certainly nothing to be ashamed of, and it’s a great honour for me and my whole family, along with my sponsors. In saying that, we’ll definitely be looking to go one better next season!”
Currently a front-running contender for the Newcastle Street Stock Club Championship, where he is the defending champion, having completed three rounds so far which included an opening round win at Narrabri’s Northwest Speedway, Wakeman has also been dabbling in the V8 Dirt Modified class for the first and is very much enjoying his new challenge.
For his next major appearance, Wakeman on the Saturday night of March 2 will attempt to defend his NSW Title at Sydney’s Valvoline Raceway, which has been a happy hunting ground for him in the past, with the NSW # 35 DSR Race Engines / Valley Hydramulch & Revegetation backed VY Holden Commodore pilot previously winning the 2014-15 season Western Sydney Track Championship.
For the 2018-19 season, Wakeman is proudly supported by the following sponsors:
DSR Race Engines
Valley Hydramulch & Revegetation
Pit Crew Auto Parts
Royal Hotel – Dungog
VPR Autos
Autobarn – Maitland
Tyres & More – Rutherford
Dungog Tyre Service
Smooth Suspension
Tint Me Up Window Tinting
Special thanks go to Wakeman’s wife (Bianca), his brother Andrew (brother) and Boof O’Neill.
To find out more about Wakeman and his team, LIKE them on Facebook by searching Wako’s Racing.
