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|caption =
|caption =
|nationality = {{flag|AUS|name=Australian}}
|nationality = {{flag|AUS|name=Australian}}
|birth_date = {{birth year and age|2001}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2001|10|11|}}
|birth_place = [[Benalla]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]
|birth_place = [[Benalla]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]
| current series = [[Super2 Series]]
| current series = [[Super2 Series]]
| first year = [[2020 Super2 Series|2020]]
| first year = [[2020 Super2 Series|2020]]
| current team = [[Tickford Racing]]
| current team = [[Anderson Motorsport]]
| car number = 78
| car number = 17
| starts = 23
| starts = 26
| wins = 2
| wins = 3
| poles = 2
| poles = 3
| podiums = 6
| podiums = 8
| best finish = 2nd
| best finish = 2nd
| year = [[2021 Super2 Series|2021]]
| year = [[2021 Super2 Series|2021]]
Line 29: Line 29:
}}
}}


'''Zak Best''' (born 2001) is an Australian racing car driver. He currently competes in the [[Super2 Series|Dunlop Super2 Series]] in the No. 78 [[Ford FG X Falcon]], with wins, podiums and poles to his name in the [[Super2 Series]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.supercars.com/news/super2/best-edges-everingham-in-thrilling-qualifying/|title=Best edges Everingham in thrilling qualifying
'''Zak Best''' (born 11 October 2001)<ref name="supercars">{{cite web |title=Zak Best |url=https://www.supercars.com/drivers/zak-best/ |website=Supercars |access-date=27 July 2022}}</ref> is an Australian racing car driver. He currently competes in the [[Super2 Series|Dunlop Super2 Series]] in the No. 17 [[Ford Mustang (sixth generation)|Ford Mustang GT]], with wins, podiums and poles to his name in the [[Super2 Series]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.supercars.com/news/super2/best-edges-everingham-in-thrilling-qualifying/|title=Best edges Everingham in thrilling qualifying
|last=Pavey|first=James|date=9 July 2022|accessdate=10 July 2022}}</ref>
|last=Pavey|first=James|date=9 July 2022|accessdate=10 July 2022}}</ref> He also raced in the [[2021 Bathurst 1000]], finishing in fifteenth.
{{-}}
==Career==
===Early career===
[[File:Ford Falcon FG of Zak Best (The Bend, 2018).jpg|thumb|Best placed second in the [[2018 Kumho Tyre Australian V8 Touring Car Series]] driving a [[Ford Falcon FG]]]]
Best made his debut in the [[V8 Touring Car Series]] (now known as the Super3 Series) in [[2018 Kumho Tyre Australian V8 Touring Car Series|2018]], finishing second in the opening round at [[Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit|Phillip Island]] behind defending champion [[Jack Smith (Australian racing driver)|Jack Smith]] and ahead of [[MW Motorsport]] teammate [[Tyler Everingham]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Benalla's Zak Best shines at Winton |url=https://www.triplem.com.au/story/benallas-zak-best-shines-at-winton-91340 |website=Triple M |access-date=27 July 2022 |date=26 April 2018}}</ref> Best would finish the season in second place behind Everingham.<ref name="williams1">{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Bruce |title=Best looking to Super2 in 2020 |url=https://autoaction.com.au/2019/05/29/best-looking-to-super2-in-2020 |website=Auto Action |access-date=27 July 2022 |date=29 May 2019}}</ref>


Despite hopes to join the [[Super2 Series]] in 2019,<ref name="williams1" /> Best continued in the Super3 series. Despite winning several races Best was only fourth in [[2019 Super3 Series|the series]], which team owner Matthew White blamed on engine issues at the [[Winton Motor Raceway|Winton]] round.<ref name="herrero">{{cite web |last1=Herrero |first1=Daniel |title=Best moves up to Super2 with MW Motorsport |url=https://www.speedcafe.com/2020/01/17/best-moves-up-to-super2-with-mw-motorsport/ |website=Speedcafe |access-date=27 July 2022 |date=17 January 2020}}</ref>

===Super2===
For [[2020 Super2 Series|2020]], Best moved up to the Super2 Series, still driving for MW Motorsport.<ref name="herrero" /> He qualified in third place on debut at the [[Adelaide Parklands Circuit]], and achieved a best finish of fifth place in the final round at Bathurst.<ref name="williams2">{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Bruce |title=Tickford Recruit Best |url=https://autoaction.com.au/2020/12/14/tickford-recruit-best |website=Auto Action |access-date=27 July 2022 |date=14 December 2020}}</ref>

Best switched to [[Tickford Racing]] for [[2021 Super2 Series|2021]],<ref name="williams2" /> finishing the series in second place behind [[Broc Feeney]].<ref name="chapman2">{{cite web |last1=Chapman |first1=Simon |title=Best satisfied with Bathurst 1000 debut |url=https://www.speedcafe.com/2021/12/14/best-satisfied-with-bathurst-1000-debut/ |website=Speedcafe |date=13 December 2021 |access-date=27 July 2022}}</ref> He remained with Tickford for the [[2022 Super2 Series|2022 series]].<ref name="mccarthy">{{cite web |last1=McCarthy |first1=Dan |title=Best re-signs with Tickford |url=https://autoaction.com.au/2022/02/15/best-re-signs-with-tickford |website=Auto Action |access-date=27 July 2022 |date=15 February 2022}}</ref> He finished runner up again in his 2022 campaign.

Best announced for his 2023 Super2 campaign that he would be making the switch to [[Anderson Motorsport]] driving an ex-[[Dick Johnson Racing]] Ford Mustang GT. He will join [[Tickford Racing]] for the endurance events. <ref> {{cite web|last=Pavey |first=James|title=Best reveals 2023 Super2 plans|url= https://www.supercars.com/news/super2/best-returns-to-super2-with-ex-djr-mustang/|website=Supercars |access-date=16 February 2023|date=13 February 2023}} </ref>

===Supercars===
Best made his [[Supercars Championship]] and [[Bathurst 1000]] debut in 2021 driving with his Super2 team Tickford Racing. He partnered regular driver [[Jack Le Brocq]] in his [[Ford Mustang (sixth generation)|Ford Mustang GT]] for the [[2021 Bathurst 1000]]. He was given a late call-up due to [[Alexandre Prémat]] being unable to make the trip to Australia. The pair qualified in eighth place were only able to finish in fifteenth place, in part due to double stacking in the pits.<ref name="chapman2" /> Best was described by team principal Tim Edwards as being one of the best co-drivers in that year's race.<ref name="mccarthy" />

For 2022 Tickford announced that they would enter Best in Supercars rounds at [[Hidden Valley Raceway|Hidden Valley]] and [[The Bend Motorsport Park|The Bend]] as a wildcard.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Ed |title=Rookie gets wildcard run in Supercars |url=https://7news.com.au/sport/motorsport/rookie-gets-wildcard-run-in-supercars-c-6537028 |website=7 News |access-date=27 July 2022 |date=22 April 2022}}</ref> In Sunday qualifying, Best crashed, forcing him to start from the back on the grid in the final two races. In the second of these, Best was involved in a collision with [[Gary Jacobson]], causing Best to retire, with Best highly critical of the driving standards of the drivers towards the rear of the field.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCarthy |first1=Dan |title=Best critical of rear of grid driving |url=https://autoaction.com.au/2022/06/19/best-critical-of-rear-of-grid-driving |website=Auto Action |access-date=27 July 2022 |date=19 June 2022}}</ref>

On July 30 2022, Best became the youngest and first [[Supercars Championship]] wildcard entrant to claim a pole position, which was done at the [[2022 The Bend SuperSprint]]. Best finished race 21 5th, becoming the highest finishing placed wildcard entrant.

==Career results==

Aussie Racing Cars 2016 at age 14, Best was the youngest ever to compete and win a race (Phillip Island) and runner up Rookie, in an Aussie Racing Car.
CAMS Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship 2017 finished 10th. Khumo V8 Supercars 2018, drove Ford FG with MW Motorsport finished Runner Up. Khumo Tyres Super3 2019, drove Ford FG with MW Motorsport finished 4th

=== Complete Australian Formula 4 Championship results ===
([[Template:Motorsport driver results legend|key]]) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
! Year
! Team
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! 13
! 14
! 15
! 16
! 17
! 18
! 19
! 20
! 21
! DC
! Points
|-
| [[2017 Australian Formula 4 Championship|2017]]
!nowrap| AGI Sport
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Sandown Raceway|SAN1<br>1]]<br>{{small|8}}
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Sandown Raceway|SAN1<br>2]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Sandown Raceway|SAN1<br>3]]<br>{{small|11}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Sandown Raceway|SAN2<br>1]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Sandown Raceway|SAN2<br>2]]<br>{{small|4}}
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Sandown Raceway|SAN2<br>3]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Barbagallo Raceway|BAR<br>1]]<br>{{small|13}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Barbagallo Raceway|BAR<br>2]]<br>{{small|10}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Barbagallo Raceway|BAR<br>3]]<br>{{small|10}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit|PHI<br>1]]<br>{{small|9}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit|PHI<br>2]]<br>{{small|9}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF:"| [[Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit|PHI<br>3]]<br>{{small|6}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Queensland Raceway|QLD<br>1]]<br>{{small|6}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Queensland Raceway|QLD<br>2]]<br>{{small|6}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Queensland Raceway|QLD<br>3]]<br>{{small|10}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Sydney Motorsport Park|SYD<br>1]]<br>{{small|8}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Sydney Motorsport Park|SYD<br>2]]<br>{{small|7}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Sydney Motorsport Park|SYD<br>3]]<br>{{small|7}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Surfers Paradise Street Circuit|SUR<br>1]]<br>{{small|9}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Surfers Paradise Street Circuit|SUR<br>2]]<br>{{small|6}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Surfers Paradise Street Circuit|SUR<br>3]]<br>{{small|11}}
! 10th
! 83
|}

===Super2 Series results===
([[:Template:Motorsport driver results legend|key]]) (Race results only)
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"
|-
!colspan=45| [[Super2 Series]] results
|-
! Year
! Team
! Car
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! Position
! Points
|-
! [[2020 Super2 Series|2020]]
! [[MW Motorsport]]
! [[Nissan Altima#L33|Nissan Altima L33]]
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Adelaide Street Circuit|ADE]]<br>{{small|8}}
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Adelaide Street Circuit|ADE]]<br>{{small|8}}
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Adelaide Street Circuit|ADE]]<br>{{small|11}}
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Eastern Creek Raceway|SYD]]<br>{{small|11}}
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Eastern Creek Raceway|SYD]]<br>{{small|7}}
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Mount Panorama Circuit|BAT]]<br>{{small|6}}
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Mount Panorama Circuit|BAT]]<br>{{small|5}}
!colspan=5|
! 6th
! 549
|-
! [[2021 Super2 Series|2021]]
! [[Tickford Racing]]
! [[Ford FG X Falcon]]
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Mount Panorama Circuit|BAT]]<br>{{small|4}}
|style=background:#dfdfdf| [[Mount Panorama Circuit|BAT]]<br>{{small|2}}
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Townsville 500|TOW1]]<br>{{small|4}}
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Townsville 500|TOW1]]<br>{{small|4}}
|style=background:#ffdf9f| [[Townsville SuperSprint|TOW2]]<br>{{small|3}}
|style=background:#ffffbf| '''''[[Townsville SuperSprint|TOW2]]<br>{{small|1}}'''''
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Sydney Motorsport Park|SMP]]<br>{{small|15}}
|style=background:#ffffff| [[Sydney Motorsport Park|SMP]]<br>{{small|C}}
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Mount Panorama Circuit|BAT]]<br>{{small|4}}
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Mount Panorama Circuit|BAT]]<br>{{small|4}}
!colspan=2|
!style=background:#dfdfdf| 2nd
!style=background:#dfdfdf| 1077
|-
! [[2022 Super2 Series|2022]]
! [[Tickford Racing]]
! [[Ford FG X Falcon]]
|style=background:#dfdfdf| [[Sydney Motorsport Park|SMP]]<br>{{small|2}}
|style=background:#ffffbf| ''[[Sydney Motorsport Park|SMP]]<br>{{small|1}}''
|style=background:#efcfff| [[Wanneroo Raceway|WAN]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Wanneroo Raceway|WAN]]<br>{{small|7}}
|style=background:#dfdfdf| '''[[Reid Park Street Circuit|TOW]]<br>{{small|2}}'''
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Reid Park Street Circuit|TOW]]<br>{{small|12}}
|style=background:#dfdfdf| [[Sandown Raceway|SAN]]<br>{{small|2}}
|style=background:#ffdf9f| [[Sandown Raceway|SAN]]<br>{{small|3}}
|style=background:#ffffbf| '''[[Mount Panorama Circuit|BAT]]<br>{{small|1}}'''
|style=background:#ffffff| [[Mount Panorama Circuit|BAT]]<br>{{small|C}}
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Adelaide Street Circuit|ADE]]<br>{{small|4}}
|style=background:#ffdf9f| [[Adelaide Street Circuit|ADE]]<br>{{small|3}}
!style=background:#dfdfdf| 2nd
!style=background:#dfdfdf| 1257
|-
! [[2023 Super2 Series|2023]]
! [[Anderson Motorsport]]
! [[Ford Mustang (sixth generation)|Ford Mustang GT]]
|style=background:#ffdf9f| [[Newcastle Street Circuit|NEW]]<br>{{small|3}}
|style=background:#ffffbf| [[Newcastle Street Circuit|NEW]]<br>{{small|1}}
|style=background:#ffdf9f| '''[[Wanneroo Raceway|WAN]]<br>{{small|3}}'''
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Wanneroo Raceway|WAN]]<br>{{small|7}}
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Reid Park Street Circuit|TOW]]<br>{{small|8}}
|style=background:#ffffbf| [[Reid Park Street Circuit|TOW]]<br>{{small|1}}
|style=background:#dfdfdf| [[Sandown Raceway|SAN]]<br>{{small|2}}
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Sandown Raceway|SAN]]<br>{{small|12}}
|style=background:#dfdfdf| '''[[Mount Panorama Circuit|BAT]]<br>{{small|2}}'''
|style=background:#dfdfdf| '''[[Mount Panorama Circuit|BAT]]<br>{{small|2}}'''
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Adelaide Street Circuit|ADE]]<br>{{small|13}}
|style=background:#dfdfdf| [[Adelaide Street Circuit|ADE]]<br>{{small|2}}
!style=background:#dfdfdf| 2nd
!style=background:#dfdfdf| 1431
|}

===Supercars Championship results===
([[:Template:Motorsport driver results legend|key]]) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%"
|-
!colspan=45| [[Supercars Championship|Supercars]] results
|-
! Year
! Team
! Car
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! 13
! 14
! 15
! 16
! 17
! 18
! 19
! 20
! 21
! 22
! 23
! 24
! 25
! 26
! 27
! 28
! 29
! 30
! 31
! 32
! 33
! 34
! Position
! Points
|-
! [[2021 Supercars Championship|2021]]
! [[Tickford Racing]]
! [[Ford Mustang (sixth generation)|Ford Mustang GT]]
| [[2021 Mount Panorama 500|BAT1<br>R1]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Mount Panorama 500|BAT1<br>R2]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Sandown SuperSprint|SAN<br>R3]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Sandown SuperSprint|SAN<br>R4]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Sandown SuperSprint|SAN<br>R5]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Tasmania SuperSprint|SYM<br>R6]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Tasmania SuperSprint|SYM<br>R7]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Tasmania SuperSprint|SYM<br>R8]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 The Bend SuperSprint|BEN<br>R9]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 The Bend SuperSprint|BEN<br>R10]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 The Bend SuperSprint|BEN<br>R11]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Darwin Triple Crown|HID<br>R12]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Darwin Triple Crown|HID<br>R13]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Darwin Triple Crown|HID<br>R14]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Townsville 500|TOW1<br>R15]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Townsville 500|TOW1<br>R16]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Townsville SuperSprint|TOW2<br>R17]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Townsville SuperSprint|TOW2<br>R18]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Townsville SuperSprint|TOW2<br>R19]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Sydney SuperNight|SMP1<br>R20]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Sydney SuperNight|SMP1<br>R21]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Sydney SuperNight|SMP1<br>R22]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Sydney SuperNight 2|SMP2<br>R23]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Sydney SuperNight 2|SMP2<br>R24]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Sydney SuperNight 2|SMP2<br>R25]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Sydney SuperSprint|SMP3<br>R26]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Sydney SuperSprint|SMP3<br>R27]]<br>{{small|}}
| [[2021 Sydney SuperSprint|SMP3<br>R28]]<br>{{small|}}
|style="background: #f1f8ff"| [[2021 Sydney SuperNight 3|SMP4<br>R29]]<br>{{small|PO}}
|style="background: #f1f8ff"| [[2021 Sydney SuperNight 3|SMP4<br>R30]]<br>{{small|PO}}
|style="background: #dfffdf" | [[2021 Bathurst 1000|BAT2<br>R31]]<br>{{small|15}}
!colspan=3|
! 39th
! 120
|-
! [[2022 Supercars Championship|2022]]
! [[Tickford Racing]]
! [[Ford Mustang GT]]
| [[2022 Sydney SuperNight |SMP<br>R1]]
| [[2022 Sydney SuperNight |SMP<br>R2]]
| [[2022 Tasmania SuperSprint|SYM<br>R3]]
| [[2022 Tasmania SuperSprint|SYM<br>R4]]
| [[2022 Tasmania SuperSprint|SYM<br>R5]]
| [[2022 Melbourne 400|MEL<br>R6]]
| [[2022 Melbourne 400|MEL<br>R7]]
| [[2022 Melbourne 400|MEL<br>R8]]
| [[2022 Melbourne 400|MEL<br>R9]]
| [[2022 Perth SuperNight|BAR<br>R10]]
| [[2022 Perth SuperNight|BAR<br>R11]]
| [[2022 Perth SuperNight|BAR<br>R12]]
| [[2022 Winton SuperSprint|WIN<br>R13]]
| [[2022 Winton SuperSprint|WIN<br>R14]]
| [[2022 Winton SuperSprint|WIN<br>R15]]
|style="background: #dfffdf| [[2022 Darwin Triple Crown|HID<br>R16]]<br>{{small|21}}
|style="background: #dfffdf| [[2022 Darwin Triple Crown|HID<br>R17]]<br>{{small|21}}
|style="background: #efcfff| [[2022 Darwin Triple Crown|HID<br>R18]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
| [[2022 Townsville 500|TOW<br>R19]]
| [[2022 Townsville 500|TOW<br>R20]]
|style="background: #dfffdf| '''[[2022 The Bend SuperSprint|BEN<br>R21]]<br>{{small|5}}'''
|style="background: #dfffdf| [[2022 The Bend SuperSprint|BEN<br>R22]]<br>{{small|19}}
|style="background: #efcfff| [[2022 The Bend SuperSprint|BEN<br>R23]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background: #f1f8ff| [[2022 Sandown SuperSprint|SAN<br>R24]]<br>{{small|PO}}
|style="background: #f1f8ff| [[2022 Sandown SuperSprint|SAN<br>R25]]<br>{{small|PO}}
|style="background: #f1f8ff| [[2022 Sandown SuperSprint|SAN<br>R26]]<br>{{small|PO}}
| [[2022 Auckland SuperSprint|PUK<br>R27]]
| [[2022 Auckland SuperSprint|PUK<br>R28]]
| [[2022 Auckland SuperSprint|PUK<br>R29]]
|style="background: #efcfff | [[2022 Bathurst 1000|BAT<br>R30]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
| [[2022 Gold Coast 500|SUR<br>R31]]
| [[2022 Gold Coast 500|SUR<br>R32]]
| [[2022 Adelaide 500|ADE<br>R33]]
| [[2022 Adelaide 500|ADE<br>R34]]
! 39th
! 162
|-
! [[2023 Supercars Championship|2023]]
! [[Tickford Racing]]
! [[Ford Mustang GT]]
| [[Newcastle 500|NEW<br>R1]]
| [[Newcastle 500|NEW<br>R2]]
| [[Melbourne SuperSprint|MEL<br>R3]]
| [[Melbourne SuperSprint|MEL<br>R4]]
| [[Melbourne SuperSprint|MEL<br>R5]]
| [[Melbourne SuperSprint|MEL<br>R6]]
| [[Perth SuperSprint|BAR<br>R7]]
| [[Perth SuperSprint|BAR<br>R8]]
| [[Perth SuperSprint|BAR<br>R9]]
| [[Tasmania SuperSprint|SYM<br>R10]]
| [[Tasmania SuperSprint|SYM<br>R11]]
| [[Tasmania SuperSprint|SYM<br>R12]]
| [[Darwin Triple Crown|HID<br>R13]]
| [[Darwin Triple Crown|HID<br>R14]]
| [[Darwin Triple Crown|HID<br>R15]]
| [[Townsville 500|TOW<br>R16]]
| [[Townsville 500|TOW<br>R17]]
| [[Sydney SuperNight|SMP<br>R18]]
| [[Sydney SuperNight|SMP<br>R19]]
| [[The Bend SuperSprint|BEN<br>R20]]
| [[The Bend SuperSprint|BEN<br>R21]]
| [[The Bend SuperSprint|BEN<br>R22]]
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Sandown 500|SAN<br>R23]]<br>{{small|12}}
|style=background:#dfffdf| [[Bathurst 1000|BAT<br>R24]]<br>{{small|6}}
| [[Gold Coast 500|SUR<br>R25]]
| [[Gold Coast 500|SUR<br>R26]]
| [[Adelaide 500|ADE<br>R27]]
| [[Adelaide 500|ADE<br>R28]]
!colspan=6|
! 32nd
! 342
|}

===Complete Bathurst 1000 results===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
! Year
! Team
! Car
! Co-driver
! Position
! Laps
|-
! [[2021 Bathurst 1000|2021]]
| [[Tickford Racing]]
| [[Ford Mustang (sixth generation)|Ford Mustang S550]]
| {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Jack Le Brocq]]
| align="center" | 15th
| align="center" | 161
|-
! [[2022 Bathurst 1000|2022]]
| Tickford Racing
| Ford Mustang S550
| {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Thomas Randle]]
| align="center" | DNF
| align="center" | 0
|-
! [[2023 Bathurst 1000|2023]]
| Tickford Racing
| [[Ford Mustang (seventh generation)|Ford Mustang S650]]
| {{flagicon|AUS}} [[James Courtney]]
| align="center" | 6th
| align="center" | 161
|}


==References==
==References==
Line 37: Line 401:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Best, Zak}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Best, Zak}}
[[Category:Australian racing drivers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Benalla]]
[[Category:People from Benalla]]
[[Category:Supercars Championship drivers]]
[[Category:Supercars Championship drivers]]
[[Category:2001 births]]
[[Category:2001 births]]
[[Category:Racing drivers from Victoria (Australia)]]
[[Category:Racing drivers from Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:Porsche Carrera Cup Australia drivers]]

Latest revision as of 15:59, 31 October 2024

Zak Best
Nationality Australian
Born (2001-10-11) October 11, 2001 (age 23)
Benalla, Victoria
Super2 Series career
Debut season2020
Current teamAnderson Motorsport
Car number17
Starts26
Wins3
Podiums8
Poles3
Best finish2nd in 2021

Zak Best (born 11 October 2001)[1] is an Australian racing car driver. He currently competes in the Dunlop Super2 Series in the No. 17 Ford Mustang GT, with wins, podiums and poles to his name in the Super2 Series.[2] He also raced in the 2021 Bathurst 1000, finishing in fifteenth.

Career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]
Best placed second in the 2018 Kumho Tyre Australian V8 Touring Car Series driving a Ford Falcon FG

Best made his debut in the V8 Touring Car Series (now known as the Super3 Series) in 2018, finishing second in the opening round at Phillip Island behind defending champion Jack Smith and ahead of MW Motorsport teammate Tyler Everingham.[3] Best would finish the season in second place behind Everingham.[4]

Despite hopes to join the Super2 Series in 2019,[4] Best continued in the Super3 series. Despite winning several races Best was only fourth in the series, which team owner Matthew White blamed on engine issues at the Winton round.[5]

Super2

[edit]

For 2020, Best moved up to the Super2 Series, still driving for MW Motorsport.[5] He qualified in third place on debut at the Adelaide Parklands Circuit, and achieved a best finish of fifth place in the final round at Bathurst.[6]

Best switched to Tickford Racing for 2021,[6] finishing the series in second place behind Broc Feeney.[7] He remained with Tickford for the 2022 series.[8] He finished runner up again in his 2022 campaign.

Best announced for his 2023 Super2 campaign that he would be making the switch to Anderson Motorsport driving an ex-Dick Johnson Racing Ford Mustang GT. He will join Tickford Racing for the endurance events. [9]

Supercars

[edit]

Best made his Supercars Championship and Bathurst 1000 debut in 2021 driving with his Super2 team Tickford Racing. He partnered regular driver Jack Le Brocq in his Ford Mustang GT for the 2021 Bathurst 1000. He was given a late call-up due to Alexandre Prémat being unable to make the trip to Australia. The pair qualified in eighth place were only able to finish in fifteenth place, in part due to double stacking in the pits.[7] Best was described by team principal Tim Edwards as being one of the best co-drivers in that year's race.[8]

For 2022 Tickford announced that they would enter Best in Supercars rounds at Hidden Valley and The Bend as a wildcard.[10] In Sunday qualifying, Best crashed, forcing him to start from the back on the grid in the final two races. In the second of these, Best was involved in a collision with Gary Jacobson, causing Best to retire, with Best highly critical of the driving standards of the drivers towards the rear of the field.[11]

On July 30 2022, Best became the youngest and first Supercars Championship wildcard entrant to claim a pole position, which was done at the 2022 The Bend SuperSprint. Best finished race 21 5th, becoming the highest finishing placed wildcard entrant.

Career results

[edit]

Aussie Racing Cars 2016 at age 14, Best was the youngest ever to compete and win a race (Phillip Island) and runner up Rookie, in an Aussie Racing Car. CAMS Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship 2017 finished 10th. Khumo V8 Supercars 2018, drove Ford FG with MW Motorsport finished Runner Up. Khumo Tyres Super3 2019, drove Ford FG with MW Motorsport finished 4th

Complete Australian Formula 4 Championship results

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 DC Points
2017 AGI Sport SAN1
1
8 		SAN1
2
Ret 		SAN1
3
11 		SAN2
1
5 		SAN2
2
4 		SAN2
3
Ret 		BAR
1
13 		BAR
2
10 		BAR
3
10 		PHI
1
9 		PHI
2
9 		PHI
3
6 		QLD
1
6 		QLD
2
6 		QLD
3
10 		SYD
1
8 		SYD
2
7 		SYD
3
7 		SUR
1
9 		SUR
2
6 		SUR
3
11 		10th 83

Super2 Series results

[edit]

(key) (Race results only)

Super2 Series results
Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Position Points
2020 MW Motorsport Nissan Altima L33 ADE
8 		ADE
8 		ADE
11 		SYD
11 		SYD
7 		BAT
6 		BAT
5 		6th 549
2021 Tickford Racing Ford FG X Falcon BAT
4 		BAT
2 		TOW1
4 		TOW1
4 		TOW2
3 		TOW2
1 		SMP
15 		SMP
C 		BAT
4 		BAT
4 		2nd 1077
2022 Tickford Racing Ford FG X Falcon SMP
2 		SMP
1 		WAN
Ret 		WAN
7 		TOW
2 		TOW
12 		SAN
2 		SAN
3 		BAT
1 		BAT
C 		ADE
4 		ADE
3 		2nd 1257
2023 Anderson Motorsport Ford Mustang GT NEW
3 		NEW
1 		WAN
3 		WAN
7 		TOW
8 		TOW
1 		SAN
2 		SAN
12 		BAT
2 		BAT
2 		ADE
13 		ADE
2 		2nd 1431

Supercars Championship results

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Supercars results
Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Position Points
2021 Tickford Racing Ford Mustang GT BAT1
R1
 BAT1
R2
 SAN
R3
 SAN
R4
 SAN
R5
 SYM
R6
 SYM
R7
 SYM
R8
 BEN
R9
 BEN
R10
 BEN
R11
 HID
R12
 HID
R13
 HID
R14
 TOW1
R15
 TOW1
R16
 TOW2
R17
 TOW2
R18
 TOW2
R19
 SMP1
R20
 SMP1
R21
 SMP1
R22
 SMP2
R23
 SMP2
R24
 SMP2
R25
 SMP3
R26
 SMP3
R27
 SMP3
R28
 SMP4
R29
PO 		SMP4
R30
PO 		BAT2
R31
15 		39th 120
2022 Tickford Racing Ford Mustang GT SMP
R1 		SMP
R2 		SYM
R3 		SYM
R4 		SYM
R5 		MEL
R6 		MEL
R7 		MEL
R8 		MEL
R9 		BAR
R10 		BAR
R11 		BAR
R12 		WIN
R13 		WIN
R14 		WIN
R15 		HID
R16
21 		HID
R17
21 		HID
R18
Ret 		TOW
R19 		TOW
R20 		BEN
R21
5 		BEN
R22
19 		BEN
R23
Ret 		SAN
R24
PO 		SAN
R25
PO 		SAN
R26
PO 		PUK
R27 		PUK
R28 		PUK
R29 		BAT
R30
Ret 		SUR
R31 		SUR
R32 		ADE
R33 		ADE
R34 		39th 162
2023 Tickford Racing Ford Mustang GT NEW
R1 		NEW
R2 		MEL
R3 		MEL
R4 		MEL
R5 		MEL
R6 		BAR
R7 		BAR
R8 		BAR
R9 		SYM
R10 		SYM
R11 		SYM
R12 		HID
R13 		HID
R14 		HID
R15 		TOW
R16 		TOW
R17 		SMP
R18 		SMP
R19 		BEN
R20 		BEN
R21 		BEN
R22 		SAN
R23
12 		BAT
R24
6 		SUR
R25 		SUR
R26 		ADE
R27 		ADE
R28 		32nd 342

Complete Bathurst 1000 results

[edit]
Year Team Car Co-driver Position Laps
2021 Tickford Racing Ford Mustang S550 Australia Jack Le Brocq 15th 161
2022 Tickford Racing Ford Mustang S550 Australia Thomas Randle DNF 0
2023 Tickford Racing Ford Mustang S650 Australia James Courtney 6th 161

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Zak Best". Supercars. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  2. ^ Pavey, James (9 July 2022). "Best edges Everingham in thrilling qualifying". Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  3. ^ "Benalla's Zak Best shines at Winton". Triple M. 26 April 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  4. ^ a b Williams, Bruce (29 May 2019). "Best looking to Super2 in 2020". Auto Action. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  5. ^ a b Herrero, Daniel (17 January 2020). "Best moves up to Super2 with MW Motorsport". Speedcafe. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  6. ^ a b Williams, Bruce (14 December 2020). "Tickford Recruit Best". Auto Action. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  7. ^ a b Chapman, Simon (13 December 2021). "Best satisfied with Bathurst 1000 debut". Speedcafe. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  8. ^ a b McCarthy, Dan (15 February 2022). "Best re-signs with Tickford". Auto Action. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  9. ^ Pavey, James (13 February 2023). "Best reveals 2023 Super2 plans". Supercars. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  10. ^ Jackson, Ed (22 April 2022). "Rookie gets wildcard run in Supercars". 7 News. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  11. ^ McCarthy, Dan (19 June 2022). "Best critical of rear of grid driving". Auto Action. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
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