School mates rev up for Saturday night rivalry
Toowoomba school mates Tarhlea Apelt and Nic Whell may be great friends at school.
But that may all change tonight when their helmets go on at Hi-Tec Oils Speedway.
Apelt and Whell will go to battle in the Formula 500 Development Series and according to Nic, they both share equal wins over the years.
“Sometimes I get embarrassed being beaten by her, but she’s a year older so I guess that makes a difference,” Whell conceded.
“Tarhlea’s a good driver and a great friend, so in some ways I’m happy for her if she goes well.
“If she keeps doing what she’s doing, I think she could make a career of racing.”
But when asked if there was ever any romantic feelings that may become a distraction during a race, Whell answers emphatically “absolutely not”.
A quick chat with Apelt reveals how focussed she is for a 15-year-old, and that Whell’s forecast that she could make a career of racing may not be too far off the mark.
“I’ve definitely beaten Nic more than he’s beaten me so I’m not sure what he’s on about.
“But I love hanging out at school with him and he’s been a great friend to me.
“But when I put the helmet on, that all goes out the window.
“I’m really competitive and determined to win so no
friendship is going to get in the way of that." she said
You can view the Tarhlea-versus-Nic Battle tonight at Toowoomba’s Hi-Tec Oils Speedway.
Tonight’s racing includes the Carnival Of Power
Ultimate Sprintcars USC Qld Round One.
Racing starts at 6pm. Tickets are available at speedwaytickets.com.au
If you can’t make it to the track, watch it on www.clayperview.com