photo by RPM 360
story by Chris Roy
Aliyah Neale, of Royalston, MA even though racing concluded last October, racing really never stops. “I’ve been helping my Dad get the cars ready for the upcoming race season. I did some kart racing at Maine Indoor Karting.”
Aliyah learned a lot last year racing the #14 bando at NHMS and, looks to improve on it this race season. “My plan is to get some podium finishes. I learned a lot last season and I’m looking forward to getting back on the track!”
The mini oval at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, can be a hard track to race as the cars go from a flat track to a banked track in turn 1 and just the opposite in turn 4, which can upset the car. “The Oval track is definitely a challenge because it not really oval. But I think mastering turn 1 is the key.”
2015 was Aliyah 1st year in a bando car at NHMS with 11 drivers in the field, she finished the season 4th in points and “Rookie of the Year”. “It was pretty cool to get rookie of the year. It was definitely a motivator to do even better this year.”
At the end of last race season the bandolero cars ran an expedition race on the 1.6 mile road course. Which has long straight away’s, hills, and hair pin turns. So what if NHMS added a few road course races to the 2016 race season schedule? “I’m excited about the possibility to race the road course! I don’t have a whole lot of experience but what I have done on the road course I really enjoyed.”
A lot of young drivers are racing karts at race tracks like Route 106, RKS, and Oxford Plains, so is racing karts a good step before racing in the Bando Series. “Yes, absolutely. I learned a lot in Karts. Especially in my JR Sportsman Champ Kart. That’s a tough class to hang with!”
Last year Aliyah finished in 4th place, so is this the year that she will win the ProWraps Bando Championship? “I’m feeling confident but I take it one race at a time. Getting wins and the championship would be awesome! If you work hard anything is possible.”
Aliyah would like to say a word to all her fans about the upcoming race season. “I would like to say THANK YOU for all the support. I really appreciate all the kind words and encouragement from people at the track and those that take the time to leave a note of my Facebook page.”
The Neale race team would like to thank their sponsors – CRC, Village Carriage, DSFX Graphics, Gardner Ale House, Concord Terrace, Travis Neale Electric.