Dungog speedway driver Brendan Wakeman became a father for the second time and claimed an unexpected NSW title in what he admits is one of the most amazing week's of his life.
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Wakeman had expected to be beside his wife Bianca’s side on Australia Day as she delivered their second child.
But those plans went by the wayside when Bianca had to undergo a emergency caesarean section a week early to deliver their second child, a son they have named Vincent.
“He was due on January 26th on Australia Day so he came a week early,” Wakeman said.
“It was all a bit of a shock but thankfully everything went fine and Bianca and Vincent are both fine,” he said.
“The were in hospital for five days and came home on the Tuesday. Bianca and my family encouraged me to have a shot at the NSW title.
“Stella our daughter is six and is a little mother hen with Vinny.
“It’s been an amazing week. You couldn’t get any better, perfect.”
Safe in the knowledge that mother and child were safe and well at home, Wakeman and his crew travelled the 540km to Moruya on the south coast to compete in the NSW RSA Street Stocker Championship.
Wakeman not only claimed the NSW title he won the feature event at Nowra on Saturday as they made their way home.
“I’ve won the last two features at Valvoline Raceway in Sydney since Christmas. I went down on January 1 and won that feature and won another there on the fourth,” he said.
“On the way home on Saturday night I won another feature at Nowra.
“I’ve had four wins in a row, it’s been brilliant.”
Wakeman claimed the Queensland title in September and now has his sights on the Australian title, which will be held at Valvoline Raceway, in May
“My good mate won the Australian title last year. I went from hero to zero in it,” he said.
“I ended up going straight into the wall.
“I went about four cars wide at Gunnedah on this tiny little track and put it up into the wall.
“Oh well, those things happen.”
In the meantime, Wakeman will continue his on-track rivalry with Raymond Terrace driver Shane Carlson, who finished third in the NSW title in the Newcastle Street Stocker series.
The two are neck and neck in the Newcastle series, but Wakeman has bragging rights after beating Carlson in the NSW and Queensland titles.
“I’m probably two or three points behind Shane in the Newcastle series,” Wakeman said.
“There’s only been one meeting, we had identical heats and I finished half a car behind him in the feature.”
