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MATT CZERNY
Modified Champion
to do , so we stuck to our routine . However , we ran a little off of our dial-in and so we had to watch the rest from the sidelines .
“ Watching and waiting was a weird feeling , however the results fell our way . Our congratulations go to Serg ( Sergio Bonetti ) on his runner-up result and to Jess ( Turner ) on her third-place finish in the points . It was very surreal to stand in front of a lot of our friends who are also racers and see them so super happy for us as we received the trophy . We are all one big family and whenever someone wins it is always a good feeling – never did we think it would be us !
“ We will run at a few local meetings next season and see where we end up in the points – we would love to go to Perth again with Gordon Crawford , as that place is a must do for any racer ! We are also having a new car built which will debut in the Top Sportsman class in a couple of seasons from now – stay tuned for more info !
After a strong and consistent season and a break-through event win at the MacTrack Westernationals , Matt Czerny headed to the final round in the Modified championship lead and as one of three racers who had a chance of taking it out .
“ We made three finals and a couple of semi-finals this season and learned a tonne along the way , then to take out the Westernationals win and then the Championship in the space of two weeks was just awesome – it is safe to say we will be smiling for some time yet !” Czerny said .
“ In the meantime , I have to say a final thank you to my sponsors – Robinvale Estate Dressings , ETS Racing Fuels , Rayscraft , Paul Turner Performance Engines , Castlemaine Rod Shop , Total Tools Epping , Wayne at Racecomp Motorsports , MSMAA , Keen ’ s Bed & Breakfast Mildura , Ricky ’ s Glass – and my mates Ray Gould and Dave Code , we created something really special this season and without their support , we wouldn ’ t be racing .”
JUSTIN RUSSELL
Supercharged Outlaws Champion
“ Our sponsor Robinvale Estate Dressings were quite surprised we took out the number one this season , and pretty stoked at the same time . They were aware we are only new into the class and with the amount of publicity they have received over the course of the season , they were happy regardless . The number one is the icing on top of what is a great partnership – they have some big plans for the next couple of years and we can ’ t wait to be a part of it !
“ The best part of the season for me was travelling with my crew Ray and Dave and having a blast with a marketing partner on board that we are super proud to have ! We have been mates for a long time and we got to do something we never thought we would ever do , travelling the country racing while having a tonne of fun , and gaining a number one in the process !
“ The new engine going in before Mildura was a highlight , as of course were the last two rounds , but there were some challenges too – such as when we raced at the Rowe Memorial absolutely exhausted after having worked 48 hours straight to make race day . I swore to my guys I ’ d never race again like that and tried really hard to be fresh for race day after that .
“ A few times across the season we were on the losing side of a race and that taught me a lot as a driver . The main lesson there was backing off in the deep end against Jess Turner in the final of the Springnationals – I had the holeshot and the incrementals to 1000ft were bang on what we dialled , so that loss hurt ! Even with those challenges , I can ’ t say there were any ‘ worst parts ’ of our season – whenever we lost , we learnt .
“ I didn ’ t feel much pressure going in to the Grand Finals , and when it came to the weather everyone was affected in one way or another I think . Getting closer to the first round of racing , I knew I had a job
Following a hard-fought season which ended in a points tie with Jason Keily , Justin Russell was awarded the 2017 / 2018 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Australian Title for the Supercharged Outlaws bracket .
“ It was a long wait for the appeal after a tie in the final round at the Adelaide Grand Final , but the tribunal found that I was the champion in accordance with the National Championship tie deciders in the rule book ,” Russell explains .
“ A tribunal isn ’ t how you want to see these things decided , we are racers and we wanted to race for the championship , to race for the win . Unfortunately , the conditions at the Grand Final were horrendous and the chance to do that was taken away , so it came down to tie breakers to decide it .
“ It has been a very emotional ride , and I want to thank my wife Robyn and my children Kyle and Ryan for all of their support since the final – their love and support means the world to me .
“ To ANDRA also we say thank you – we have a new appreciation for the handbook we receive every year and appreciate why it is made pocket size !