Australian Pro Stock veteran Lee Bektash has announced he will be ‘taking a break’ from the sport come the Winternationals.
While he is keen not to call it retirement, Bektash will be putting his beautiful Dodge up for sale after the event.
“The last 10 seasons it has been a dream of mine that came true to race Pro Stock,” Bektash said via Facebook.
“Have I thought this through enough I’ve been asked? My dad is turning 80 on Saturday and being his only boy he has done nothing but hound me about getting hurt and of course wasting money, so I guess Doorslammer is out of the question.”
Bektash has become a cult figure in drag racing, among a brand that is a cult of its own in the sport.
“I’m humbled to have become Australia’s Mopar Man and recognised across the world for our records, speeds and outstandingly presented Mopars.
“Fiat Chrysler/Mopar and all the dealers that have supported my operation have been no less than outstanding.”
Bektash has been racing for 25 years across a number of brackets, graduating to Pro Stock a decade ago. He is already looking forward to his swansong as a chance to smash some final records.
“The highlights for me are meeting so many people that I can call not only friends but mates. From Top Fuel to Junior Dragster I’ve made plenty of friends, some in the likes of Peter Kapiris and Jeff Cutajar that I can consider as family,” he said.
“On the positive we will be racing until June 2017 and will try and cover all ANDRA/400 Thunder rounds even if it’s exhibition to try and beat my own record of 6.87/200mph.
“Retired? I would like to think it’s more like taking a break. To the kids, parents, grandparents, please come around to the pit and give me my last high five because I’m ready to go out in a bang!”
