Ben ‘The Kid’ Bray has taken the event win from Murray O’Connor at this weekend’s penultimate round of the 2013 Slamfest Series at Benaraby Raceway after emerging victorious from an all-Bray semi-final.
It is the second year running that the 29 year old has faced off against his dad Victor in the semi-finals at the Gladstone facility.
While in 2012 his father took the win, this time around it was Ben’s time to shine in front of more than 5,000 spectators after disposing of Russell Pavey in the first round,with the result seeingfather and son now tied for third place as the Series heads to Mackay for its final round on 13 July.
“What can I say, I love coming to this end of town!” said Ben Bray, who also struck the first blow during the two-round North Queensland leg of the 2012 Series with a victory in Townsville.
“Any time that dad and I face-off is fantastic fun for both us and the guys watching from the sidelines, it always gets everyone really revved up and today was no different.
“With dad taking the Gladstone win last year I was really inspired to give it everything I could, and so I was pretty stoked to find myself in the final against O’Connor and in undisputable ownership of the team bragging rights once more.
“To then take the event win and tie for third with dad in the points heading into the final round has really just topped off the weekend – this place has certainly been kind to Team Bray Racing that is for sure, and I cannot wait to head on up to Mackay and see if we can keep these results going for the team.”
While his son may have claimed the top accolades this weekend, for six-time ANDRA national (quarter-mile) champion Victor Bray it was still a successful day at the office.
“What can I say, if it can’t be me claiming the winners’ trophy at the end of the night I want it to be Benny, and he really deserved it this weekend,” said Victor Bray.
“Having said that, I know he will be very happy with himself and taking full advantage of his workshop bragging rights for the next couple of weeks, so I am going to have to do everything I can to try and gain some back on him in Mackay!
“I really enjoyed getting out there in front of the Gladstone crowd again and putting on a show for them, the fans are what this series is all about, so I was really happy to see the looks on their faces as we lit up the track on Saturday and can’t wait to do it all over again in just two weeks.”
