Australia has proven to be the lucky country for American Speedway racers Alex and Nikko Panella who stepped onto Australian soil for the first time last month.
Normally found carving up the dirt on their home track of Delta Speedway in California, the brothers have long eyed the prospect of competing down under.
However, several challenges, including a global pandemic, meant it took a minor miracle for their dream to come true late last year, thanks to Mansell Motorsport and PMP Chassis.
Following in their father’s footsteps, both brothers have experienced a lot of success in America driving both winged and non-winged cars and were looking to bring that with them when they landed here in December.
Adapting quickly to Australian conditions, the brothers hit the ground running, venturing to Simpson for night one of racing for the f500 Speedweek, then to Borderline Speedway for night two.
It was then another road trip to Laang for night three, back on the round to Portland for night four and the final night finishing at Avalon Speedway, Lara.
It was an up and down week for the boys, enjoying some great finishes but also feeling the pain of some down time.
However the duo remained incredibly positive and came away with the rewards, with Nikko claiming Speedweek Champion.
“It is pretty cool being able to win in a completely different country and I’m glad I was given the opportunity to be able to come out here for Mansell Motorsports and never winning a race but claiming the Speedweek Champion was really good,” Nikko said.
“It was all about being consistent and we got it done so I’m pretty excited about that and it was worth my while to come and having my brother Alex here as well made it even better.
“When he is not racing at home he helps me out big time and always thinks like a racer and tells me what I am doing right and wrong, so it helps me big time.
“He (Alex) has had some bad luck this week, but it will turn it around and he will do pretty good in the remaining races.”
Overall for Nikko it was a momentous week of racing, being consistent across all tracks, becoming F500 Speedweek champion for 2022/23 and claiming the dash for cash over a two-night feature.
Brother Alex also spoke with The SE Voice about his time in Australia.
“I have had an enjoyable time here in Australia racing with Mansell Motorsports and my brother Nikko despite my ups and downs in the racing world and my experience has been pretty cool,” he said.
“It is totally different from what I am used to of course but it has been great, and you know I cannot knock it too hard, but I think I did reasonably well.”
Coming in with high expectations, Alex and he did not achieve the results that he hoped for, despite being consistent across the full five nights of racing.
“If it was not for some bad luck and lap cars, I think I could have been a lot better in points and maybe a little less down on myself, but like I said regardless of all that, the car has been really fast and I got a fantastic opportunity with some of the best equipment to work with,” he said.
“But you must take the trials of the tribulation of racing with winning and losing and that is what makes you a better person on and off the track.”
Alex remains very positive about his racing at home in America and is upbeat about returning to Australia to race again.
Both Alex and Nikko have great support from their parents making this trip abroad come true and thanked many people which included Mansell Motorsport for the opportunity along with PMP chassis.
