(Interview conducted for Trackstar’s programme ahead of the 2L War of the Worlds – June 2024)
Team Mates are a well known collective at Trackstar having many years experience of the Norfolk shaleway between them. 830 ‘Stretch’ Lee White, 28 Mac Bell and 699 Aaron Nelson are all back to defend the 2L War of the Worlds title that they won alongside 545 ‘Huffy’ Karl Hough last year. Bryson caught up with the trio to discuss their title defence among other things.
The aim for this year? ‘To defend the title again and take the win,’ replied Nelson without much hesitation, although Mac doesn’t think it will be quite as straightforward as that. ‘Ideally we’ll keep our heads down and nip through, but what are the chances of that happening?’ He admits. Mac’s comrades weren’t as supportive mind you, with Stretch chipping in with ‘I blame Mac for any outcome!’ Nelson adding ‘it is always Mac’s fault, but one in all in.’
You can tell from that opening interaction that these are a group of lads that gel together very well. The trio have raced collectively together for a long time now, but there is still that unpredictability of what each individual is going to do. ‘Nobody ever knows what the other is going to do,’ confesses Mac. ‘We could be winning a race, and just throw it away for a good shot – it wouldn’t be the first time.’ ‘And it won’t be the last!’ adds Nelson.
A part of that gelling well as a team plays down to how well they get on off-track, just as much as they do on-track. The trio identifying their standout moments being part of the team, and the common denominator is certainly clear – the social. Mac starts off by saying ‘the best moment in the team for me is winning some titles and getting the colours recognised. The day we smashed up three fresh Mondeos on one another at Stansted was just too funny though!’ Nelson echoes Mac’s comments. ‘Definitely getting the colours recognised and no matter what the damage, we will always aim to repair them and get the cars back out whether it is with all four wheels or just three – the pit work is what makes our team,’ something which Mac agrees with also. Stretch echoes those words set by his teammates, adding ‘the teamwork, the pit work; everything, but especially the social side. The BBQs, going out for food, the beer and pissing about. #youwontdoit is something else!’ ‘Youwontdoit is dangerous!’ confesses Nelson.
Individually, Mac and Aaron’s personal favourite of the year is the same. ‘Siamese Bangers – it’s the meeting we look forward to every year. It’s always a good laugh,’ reveals Nelson, with Mac expanding ‘the head on we had in the Siamese – what a laugh! It’s just a completely different, funnier type of racing!’ For Stretch, his highlight of racing doesn’t involve the racing itself. ‘If it counts, it’s about the beer, BBQ and banter afterwards.’ Mac agreeing with that statement; ‘that is definitely one of the best bits about racing.’
There is a lot of positives that Team Mates can draw from racing – the social, pit work, the success they have had over the years, but like everything, there is always room for improvement. One thing Mac would change would be the rules. ‘There are a lot of can’t do’s and can do’s, and somethings one person can do another can’t – I’d like to see consistency across the board.’ We are unsure whether Nelson’s approach will take off however. ‘All cars to be DD’d at the end of the meeting or a 3 month ban,’ he laughs. Stretch would like to clamp down on one thing. ‘People that sit on the infield and then come off to do a hero shot.’
The team have collectively won many races and titles but there is one thing they all desire. ‘I’d like to win the 2L World at Kings Lynn,’ reveals Nelson. ‘Yeah I’d say the same,’ admits Mac. ‘A title race like the 2L World or something similar, although Ipswich is a bit optimistic for me.’ Whilst Mac and Nelson would love to win the 2L World, teammate Stretch is a previous winner of the event, and has made several appearances in the Unlimited World at Ipswich. ‘I’m not worried about winning the Ipswich World, I’d just like to actually finish it,’ he admits.
Mac, Nelson and Stretch are set to defend the War of the Worlds title, but if they could have anyone join them, who would they choose? ‘I’d take 349 Noddy and just race as a four man team!’ states Mac. ‘It’s hard to say, because there is a lot of good drivers out there,’ admits Stretch. ‘Being with us isn’t just about the racing together; it becomes a family thing.’ Mac expands on that ‘you’re not wrong! I wouldn’t change our three other than getting Karl proper into it.’
As always the trio would like to thank anyone that has helped them – Mac going on to state. ‘Just for everyone to appreciate the pitwork and all the behind the scenes stuff – the stress throughout the week, the other halves that don’t get seen and just to every one who plays a part that most people honestly don’t realise.’
They conclude by having their own little squabble, with Mac calling Stretch out for being a rodder (we’d have to back Mac on this one – sorry Stretch!) and Nelson stating that Mac has forgotten what crashing is.
