Ipswich junior drag racer Caleb Oberg has a date with destiny at the Castrol Edge Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway on June 10 to 13 as he attempts to become the youngest ever Australian Drag Racing Champion.
At 12 years and 2 months, the East Ipswich State School Year 7 student has the opportunity to take the mantle of the sport’s youngest champion away from Kelly Corbett who was 13 years and 5 months when she won the title back in 1998. Oberg is currently leading the championship by a slender 20 point margin and will be hoping things go his way at the season ending event.
Competing at all rounds of the national series in his Cosmic Enterprises/Santos Cranes Junior Dragster for the first time, Oberg has already claimed runner-up trophies at the Fuchs Australian Nationals in Sydney and the Western Nationals in Perth and achieved point scoring quarter or semi-final results at each event with exception of the Sunstate Nationals in Mackay. Along with 81 other young drivers he also contested the Cosmic Enterprises Junior Dragster Challenge at Willowbank Raceway on June 5 as a final warm up prior to the championship deciding Winternationals.
Caleb said “The Junior Challenge was really good because there are no other cars there. It’s only juniors racing for the whole day and we just got to have a lot of fun. I can’t wait for the Winternationals though. I’d love to win the championship but even just racing in front of so many people is awesome. ”
Caleb’s proud father, Rod Oberg is concentrating on keeping his young star’s feet on the ground heading into the title decider. “It’s Caleb’s first attempt at the championship and at the start of the season we optimistically set ourselves a target of a top ten finish. All the other title contenders are teenagers with a couple almost 18. For Caleb to be in a position to fight for the top spot at his age is beyond our wildest dreams. Whatever happens from here we couldn’t be happier so we’re just trying to tell him to take things one race at a time and enjoy himself. ”
Rod also acknowledged the strong support of Santo Rapisarda who’s Santos Cranes sponsorship made it possible for the team to travel to the interstate events. “We wouldn’t of been able to race without Santo. He has won a number of Top Fuel championships as a team owner so we’d love to thank him with one as a Junior Dragster sponsor.”
Caleb Oberg goes into the title decider with 200 Rocket All Star Series Points in the Australian Junior Dragster Championship ahead of New South Wales driver Simone Pain on 180 and fellow Queenslanders Dakota Ward and Jake Donnelly on 160, Obe Ward on 150 and Dale Duffy on 140 ahead of Cody Grohn and Rebecca List on 120 points.
The Castrol EDGE Winternationals will host in excess of 480 racers over the June 10-13 event, including 85 form the professional categories. The Thursday June 10 to Sunday June 13 event will host the championship ANDRA Pro Series and Rocket Sportsman Series final rounds for all of the categories of drag racing. For more information, schedules or to purchase tickets, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
