Nichele Racing and Matt Forbes have announced via Facebook they will team up at the Australian Nationals at Calder Park January 23-24, 2016.
Already team owner/driver of the Lucas Oils Modified Dragster and Super Gas Corvette Roadster, Forbes will get behind the wheel of Nichele Racing’s Top Sportsman Camaro to race for three ANDRA Gold Christmas Trees at one event.
Forbes recently won both Modified and Super Gas at the South Coast 660 in Portland for Round 3 of the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series during November – the first Sportsman racer to achieve the feat in ANDRA Drag Racing history.
“Nichele Racing are pleased to announce that Matt Forbes has taken up the offer to drive the Nichele Racing Jerry Bickel built Top Sportsman Camaro effective immediately,” read the statement on Gilbert Nichele’s Facebook page.
“Matt has been of great assistance to our team in the past and also assisted in facilitating the purchase of the Sunset Racing Engines SR20 engine powering the Camaro.
“We have purchased all of our Lucas Oil Products from Matt and have had a great relationship for some time now and when the position became available we made the call and to our delight Matt accepted.
“With Matt being an ambassador for Lucas Oils and Sunset Performance Engines it is a perfect match for Nichele Racing and we look forward to a Fantastic 2016.
“Matt will add an exciting new dimension to our team bringing with him many years of experience, together with a wealth of driving knowledge let alone a competitive approach which is seen by many as second to none.
“Nichele Racing have no doubt that Matt’s addition to the team will certainly place the Camaro in a competitive position in this exciting and very competitive class of Top Sportsman racing.
“We look forward to working very closely with Matt and his team to achieve many a ‘success’ in the future.
“On behalf of Nichele Racing; ‘Welcome aboard Matt’ and we look forward to some competitive racing and a lot of FUN.”
Forbes responded via his own Facebook page thanking the team for the opportunity to make his Top Sportsman debut.
“Thank you to Gilbert and the team at Nichele Racing (pronounced Nikalay for all those that have asked!) for this incredible opportunity.
“I am humbled that you have selected me to be a part of your racing activities. To be chosen to drive in a top level outfit is very much appreciated.
“I am sure we will have a great time and look forward to competing in Top Sportsman at the Nationals.”
The Australian Nationals return to Calder Park for the first time in 15 years January 23-24, 2016.
The next event on the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series calendar is the Rowe Memorial at Calder Park this Sunday December 27. The Series then returns to Portland for Round 7 a week prior to the Australian Nationals on January 16-17, 2016.
For more information about the Rowe Memorial and the Australian Nationals please visit www.calderparkdragracing.com.au.
Images: Bright Design (top), Grant Stephens / Drag News Australia (middle)