After traveling over 3,500 kilometres from his home in Coffs Harbour, NSW to Kalgoorlie International Speedway, Chris Corbett’s 38 hour trek was well worth it, with the interstater emerging victorious in the WA V8 Dirt Modified Title – the first title victory of his career.
With double 5 Star Dirt Series points on offer during what doubled as the sixth series round, Corbett’s win couldn’t have come at a better time, having been sitting fifth in the point standings heading into last Saturday night’s WA Title. However, it certainly didn’t come in the most conventional of fashions.
Rather than transporting his own NSW # 48 RedPoint Oils (Coffs Harbour and Kempsey) / Gulf Western Oils Australia backed Troyer car to Kalgoorlie, Corbett received an offer from fellow NSW-based driver Marley Weller, who also owns Blue Water Mechanical – another sponsor of Corbett’s.
Having purchased a Troyer from Western Australian Raz Pederson, Weller gave Corbett the opportunity to pilot his new car throughout the WA Title, in exchange for transporting it back to his home state.
Making minimal changes to the car, Corbett hit the ground running from the outset, winning two of his heat races and placing third in the other to earn the pole position start for the WA Title-deciding feature race.
While there was a slight moment with 10 of the 25 scheduled laps to go when Travis Kennedy attempted to steal first place, Corbett quickly responded, taking back the position and holding on to it through to the chequered flag.
In doing so, the 21-year-old finally managed to get the monkey off his back to win his maiden title event in the V8 Dirt Modifieds class after picking up a slew of previous third-place finishes in an Australian Championship, three Queensland Titles and an SA Title.
“It feels absolutely amazing to finally break our habit of finishing third in title events and come away with the win,” enthused Corbett, who also placed third during the Garden Stat Shield at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway, which incorporated the fourth 5 Star Dirt Series round, aboard the Mark Topperwien-owned Vic # 23 car.
“There were a lot of people involved in making it possible for us to participate in the WA Title and this wouldn’t have been possible without them, so I have to say a big thanks to all of them for their support and assistance.”
Also making the long journey to Kalgoorlie International Speedway with his younger brother Chris, Dale Corbett drove his Sportsman car throughout the WA Title before selling it to WA-based driver Brad Cooper.
Unfortunately his night didn’t quite go as planned, placing fourth and sixth in his opening two heat races before losing brakes in his final heat race and being unable to fix the issue in time for the feature race, bringing his night to a premature end.
Corbett would like to thank the following 2018-19 season sponsors: RedPoint Oils (Coffs Harbour and Kempsey), Gulf Western Oils Australia, Geoff King Motors (Coffs Harbour), Hession’s Auto Parts, K1 Race Gear, Blue Water Mechanical (Coffs Harbour), Wayne Marsh Images, and Peter Dubois Smash Repairs.
Special thanks go to Corbett’s mum and dad Cindy and Mick, his brother Dale, Taylah Firth, Tia, Marley Weller, Brad Cooper and his girlfriend Belinda Marshall, Jacob Potts, Michael Harris, and Raz Pederson.
To find out more about Corbett, LIKE him on Facebook by searching Corbett Boys Racing.
