final where we were paired with the points
leader and soon to be National Champion,
Matt Czerny. Just like the four rounds before
that, we were able to take the win and
secure the Silver ANDRA Christmas Tree in a
moment which I will never forget. With Audrey’s blessing, Baker and his
boys Josh and Tim headed to Mildura in
September for round three of the 18/19
Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman
Series, yet he explains it just wasn’t the
same. “I can tell you that Christmas of 2018 was
certainly a lot more jolly than the year
before and come New Year’s Eve, we all
agreed that 2018 could go and get stuffed
– except for the 2018 South Coast 660
weekend of course!”
“At the presentation, I was overcome with
emotion as I dedicated the win to my mum,
Robyn. I tried to take a moment to compose
myself but it really must have been all too
much and before I knew it, Matt Czerny
was there by my side with a hug and much
needed support – he is truly a great guy that
I have a lot of respect for as a racer and as
a friend.” “Audrey was still trying to get back to
herself and so she didn’t come with us and
all weekend something was missing, it just
wasn’t quite the same,” he says. Soon the decision was made to get back to
Portland for another go at the South Coast
660.
With the 2018 South Coast 660 now complete
in the most successful way possible for
Team Baker, it was time for a priority shift
for the next few months.
“We knew after that round that racing would
have to take a back seat for a little while – it
was now my time to support the person who
was always there for me but who now was
going through her own battle,” Baker said.
“Even though Audrey’s tumour had been
removed, there was still chemo and
radiotherapy to follow over the next six
months and although she made it look
easy and was always there with a smile, I
can assure you it was far from a walk in the
park.”
“It is funny how you get used to the routines
and the quirky little things that people do.
We still managed to get to the final, but
unfortunately came up short by virtue of a
0.002 red light – in our book that was still a
pretty good reason to smile.”
Soon after, the news everyone had been
waiting for arrived.
“In the lead up to the 2019 South Coast 660,
it was just all about getting back to the
place that was so special to us in January of
2018 and to be surrounded once again by all
of the love and support that was shown to
us the year before,” Baker explains
“This time around it was almost like deja-
vu, with us somehow managing to get the
win light round after round. It really was one
“In early December we went back to the
surgeon for Audrey’s 12 month check-up since
her initial diagnosis and it was great news for
everyone – she was given the all clear and
the green light to try and get things back to
normal,” Baker remembers.