Baker had pole position after three heats and battled for first position for the first 12 laps against Mount Gambier driver Kahn Aston.

“It was good tight racing,” he said. “The lead would have changed 15 to 20 times. I’d bank myself into the lead one corner and then Kahn would get in front the next. It would have been great viewing for the spectators.”

It is Baker’s third state title having won the Victorian Title last year and the South Australian title in 2006.

“After coming runner up the last two years in South Australia, it was fantastic to finally take out the number one this season,” Baker said.

He has been racing for his whole life and started as a 10 year-year-old in the pits crewing for his brothers before graduating to go karts and eventually racing. 

Horsham Blue Ribbon Raceway’s first meeting is on December 30.