The last time the South Coast Nationals at South Coast Raceway were run back in 2019, brothers Zack and Dylan Knezevic dominated the Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster bracket.
Zack took out the victory over younger brother Dylan and now the Knezevic family is preparing to seek more success at the 2021 running of the event across December 11 and 12.
While Zack may have aged out of the Junior bracket, there will be no shortage of Knezevic siblings on track with Zack and Dylan’s younger brother Levi stepping up into what was Zack’s dragster, with Zack set to act as Crew Chief for Levi while he awaits the next step of his drag racing career.
“I really love the fact that we can all go together and be ourselves and have quality time together doing what we love as a family, it makes it all worth it,” Zack said.
“I am pretty confident that Dylan and Levi are going to do well – Dylan is a very skilled driver and Levi is on a journey to become a great racer and I am confident in his abilities.
“I am looking forward to being Crew Chief for Levi while we continue working on the next step for my racing, which is going to be in radial racing. My dad Danko and I are in the works of building a three-quarter chassis MK1 Capri to race and have some competitive fun – I am beyond excited to finish that car and start racing again.”
15-year-old Dylan is feeling quietly confident ahead of the event.
“Coming into this event as the previous runner-up, I am very excited to be racing at one of my favourite tracks and I hope to continue my streak of racing the finals,” Dylan said.
“I am feeling very confident in my team and my family that we can try and get the win this time. It may have been a while since we last raced, but I am very excited to get back into the rhythm.
“I am very keen to race alongside my little brother Levi too – it is great to see the new generations of the sport. Having new competition gets me really excited about my drag racing and I really enjoy having that family bond – it feels very sentimental and also creates a competitive and enthusiastic environment when racing against other families, and we are also able to share knowledge which helps when going through rounds.
“I really want to thank my mum and dad and also both of my brothers for always supporting my racing career and always pushing me to do the best at whatever I participate in. I have a very strong team behind me and I can’t wait for my remaining years in Junior Dragster.”
13-year-old Levi is the youngest of the family, and has been anxiously awaiting his turn to get on-track after supporting Zack and Dylan’s racing for years.
“I feel like there are large shoes to fill in and a lot to live up to, but I can’t wait to kick off my career in drag racing,” Levi said.
“Although I loved being Zack’s crew chief, it’s time I start my dream career and I can’t wait.
“I have never raced an event before in Junior Dragster so the South Coast Nationals will be my first event and I’m very eager to get in the car and win some rounds.
“It does feel very daunting to have my first event being at a national level, but it will be very fun racing down the track against new competitors and I am looking forward to having Zack as my crew chief – he is a very switched on racer and I am confident that we can succeed.”
The South Coast Nationals, featuring the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series, will be held at South Coast Raceway across December 11 and 12. For event information, go to www.southcoastraceway.com.au
For more from ANDRA, go to www.andra.com.au