TICKFORD RECRUIT BEST

Tickford recruit Zak Best – Image: Supplied

Zak Best will make the switch to Tickford Racing for the 2021 Dunlop Super2 Series.

By RHYS VANDERSYDE

The 19-year-old from Benalla moves across from MW Motorsport having stepped up to the second tier Supercars series for this year’s COVID-19 disrupted campaign having finished second among the rookies.

“It’s very exciting to join a team like Tickford Racing for 2021,” said Best.

“It’s a team you can really set yourself up well for the future with, and to drive for a team with such good experience and a wealth of history in Supercars and Super2 is very motivating heading into 2021.”

Best qualified third on debut on the streets of Adelaide and scored his best race finish of fifth in the season finale at Bathurst.

“2020 was a good learning year, that’s for sure, obviously it was a bit muddled up with the calendar changes, but I learned lots at every round and kept chipping away.” Best continued.

“There were some good highlights as well, qualifying third at Adelaide was awesome and driving through the field to fifth at Bathurst and getting rookie of the round was really cool as well.”

“Obviously the goal will be to improve on that, so I’m looking forward to working with and learning from the guys at Tickford and trying to make the most of the year.”

Tickford Racing CEO and Team Principal Tim Edwards expressed his delight in the team’s new signee, who in 2016 became the youngest driver to win an Aussie Racing Cars race, then just 14 years old.

“Zak is a great addition to our development program at Tickford Racing,” said Edwards.

“We’ve had our eye on him as he’s come up the ranks over the last few years, so we’re very happy to have him on board.”

“Obviously the 2020 Super2 season was challenging for everyone, but even with the long breaks away from the track, he improved every race, which of course is exactly what you want to see in a young driver.”

Edwards went on to compare Best with one of the Supercars teams current stars.

“He strikes me as very similar to a young Cam Waters,” Edwards continued.

“He’s got a bit of quiet country boy in him, a great work ethic, great family and supporters around him, there’s a lot to like.”

“Funnily enough, his first karting suit was an FPR kids suit from back in the early 2000s, so it’s all come full circle! Zak will fit in very well with the team and we’re confident we’ll be able to develop him into a very strong driver here.

The 2021 Dunlop Super2 Series will be conduction across six race events on Supercars calendar including Best’s home track Winton Motor Raceway.

“It’s exciting to have a home round, Winton’s just five minutes from my house,” Best commented.

“It’ll be really fun to have the family and friends out there on the weekend, it’s a round to look forward for sure.”

Best replaces Broc Feeney who jumps over to Triple Eight Race Engineering in 2021.

The 2021 Dunlop Super2 Series season begins at the Mount Panorama 500, February 26-28, 2021.

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