Third place for Wright in Tamworth
BY JEM ANSHAW
The NSW Formula 500 State Titles held on the weekend in Tamworth was probably a round most of our local drivers would rather forget.
Five drivers from the region entered the round, as well as one held on Friday night after a meeting from late 2021 was rained out.
Muswellbrook junior Kobi Wright was the only local to stay out of trouble, despite some close calls in the feature race.
He started the night strong with a win in the first heat and in the main race he managed to work his way up to third after having to fight all night for a place on the starting grid.
Fellow junior Cooper Norman was performing well throughout the night and started fourth in the feature.
Unfortunately, his inexperience showed when trying to push for places in the early stages of the main which resulted in a mistake between turns three and four causing him to spin into another competitor, causing them to flip.
Thankfully both drivers walked away – not the same can be said for the cars.
As for the seniors, the night was off to a rocky start for Singleton’s Roy Urpeth when he spun in the first heat and another car ran into him.
He was able to finish the race and returned for further heats but come the feature he had to retire before the chequered flag dropped.
Denman’s Kenny Norman stayed out of trouble during the heats but his clean run ended in the feature race when he tangled with another car and was unable to complete the night.
Saturday was only the fourth time Simon Bestmann, from Singleton, has been out in a Formular 500 having previously competed in a wingless sprint car.
Engine issues plagued the night and despite some early signs things had come together, it was not meant to be with Bestmann’s night ending with contact in the feature.
The next round of the NSW Formular 500’s will be held on February 5 at Gunnedah.
Hopefully our local crews can rectify their issues and repair damage to get back on the track.