Heading into the recent running of the Queensland Lightning Sprint Title at Kingaroy Speedway, Jason Rae wasn’t considered one of the main favourites; however, that didn’t stop him from standing on top step of the podium at the night’s end.
In what is currently his third season in the Lightning Sprint class, Rae, from Kensington Grove in the Lockyer Valley of Queensland, drove consistency throughout the Queensland Title-deciding feature race, along with having a bit of lady luck on his side, that saw him go on and greet the chequered flag as the winner of the event that was fittingly sponsored by his own business: Stockmans Civil & Plant.
“I felt quietly confident heading into the Queensland Title after I had picked up my career first feature-race win earlier this season at Kingaroy Speedway and was hoping to be able to contend for a podium spot, but to come away with the win was something of a welcomed surprise,” expressed the 33-year-old racer, who took over the lead on lap 16 after pacesetter Kurt Wilson retired from the 25-lap event due to a mechanical issue.
“This Queensland Title is credited to the efforts of my wonderful team and all of our sponsors, because none of our success would be at all possible without them. A lot of hard work goes into the car away from the track, and it’s great to be able to reward my team and sponsors by winning such a prestigious event.”
For Rae, after a brief and start to his Lightning Sprint career towards the end of the 2014-15 season and then taking a season off, he’s credits to stepping into a Kawasaki ZX1200 powered Henchcraft car as to the main reason he remained in the class. In his first full season that saw him achieve a lot of success, such as winning the B Grade Championship for the Queensland Lightning Sprint Racing Association along with finishing second in the A Grade Championship and taking out the Driver’s Driver award honours. The following season didn’t reap the success of the previous season; however, following a lot of development with the car during the off season, has certainly seen him start the 2018-19 season in impressive fashion.
As the new Queensland Champion, Rae will make his first appearance with his new status this Saturday night for Ultimate Pink Night event at Toowoomba’s Hi-Tec Oils Speedway. Following this event, he is set to travel south to Sydney’s Valvoline Raceway to contest the NSW Title on the Sunday night of December 30.
Rae would like to thank his 2018-19 season sponsors: Stockmans Civil & Plant, Tekserv Contracting, Blahart Graphics, NJG Custom Fabrication, and SpeedPartz Australia. Special thanks must go out to Derek Wells (1992 Australian Microsprint Title Runner-up finisher), Kara Wells and her partner Codey Leibinger, Rohnan Wells, along with Rae’s supportive wife (Jacki) and their three children: Sean, Charlotte and Hayden.
To find out more about Rae and his team, LIKE them on Facebook by searching Rae Family Racing.
