Best confident of third time lucky

Leaving Townsville with the points-leading orange numbers has Zak Best confident of winning the Super2 crown in 2023.

Best left as Super2 points leader for the third time in as many rounds at the NTI Townsville 500.

The Benalla driver won Race 2 after a late-race pass on Eggleston Motorsport rookie Kai Allen, who won the round.

At the midway point of the season, rookie Allen is Best’s closest rival, with the latter aiming to become the youngest ever Super2 champion.

It’s a different story for Best, who came desperately close to the title in 2021 and 2022, and is keen to avoid a third straight defeat this year.

Best is one of three drivers — alongside Paul Dumbrell and Matthew White — to finish a Super2 season as runner-up on multiple occasions.

However, leaving Townsville as points leader was proof Best is going about his business as a sharper and smarter product.

Starting 19th in Race 1, Best could have seen his lead vanish after starting towards the back. However, he stayed out of trouble and recovered to the top 10, as he did in Perth.

Best has four top three finishes in six starts this season, including two wins, with finishes of seventh (Perth) and ninth (Townsville) strong damage limitation efforts after starting mid-pack.

“Weekend started off pretty poor really, practice didn’t go our way,” Best said.

“Starting 19th made it really hard to be sitting where we are right now. To come from 19th to eighth, I was pretty happy with that.

“Qualifying on the front row and chasing Kai down, it was pretty good. It’s what we need to do if we want to win the championship.

"I’m pretty chuffed to come away from Townsville with the orange numbers on. Every other year I’ve lost them at this point.

“Just gotta keep them on.”

A Best title would also deliver a Super2 triumph for Michael Anderson’s team, which won the Super3 crown courtesy of Brad Vaughan last year.

Winning for Anderson is further motivation for Best, who late week as confirmed as James Courtney’s co-driver for the enduros.

“Michael’s absolutely rapt, it’s pretty cool for them,” Best said.

“They won the Super3 championship last year, now the goal is to win Super2.

“Everyone down at Anderson Motorsport is rapt.”

The 2023 Dunlop Series season will continue at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 on September 15-17.