Alice’s Fairtytale TA2 debut makes history at Queensland Raceway

Seventeen-year-old Alice Buckley not only claimed pole position and two race wins during RD 4 of the TFH Hire Muscle Car Series - presented by Maritimo Luxury Yachts at Queensland Raceway, but she also became the first female driver in Australia, and possibly the world to score pole position and race wins on debut in the TA2 category. Records show only Michelle Abbate scored a podium racing TA2 in the USA in 2020, but no outright race wins.

Team mate Jarrod Hughes wrapped up the round win for GM Performance but couldn’t catch Buckley today after she claimed the Roadactive Suspension pole award, and dominated both races in a classy, flawless performance - despite coming under pressure from 16-year-old Diesel Thomas in the last few laps due to the front left tyre deflating.

Josh Thomas finished 3rd for the round in the TFH Hire Mustang, 19 points behind Buckley.

Race 1 today saw Josh Webster off at the first corner, with Tyler Everett and Ben Gomersall also coming together out of Turn 6, dropping the Unit Mustang well back.

Josh Thomas and NZ’s Aryton Hobson ran side by side in Turn 3 with Hobson also going off at Turn 4 after a touch from Thomas while challenging for 3rd outright.

Hi-Tec Oils Brad Gartner ended up in the sand at Turn 6 calling for the second safety car, however on both re-starts, Alice Buckley, with Tim Slade on the radio, had team mate and series leader Hughes covered off to take the win. Mark Crutcher had a solid run into 7th outright taking 10 spots along the way.

In the 25-minute finale, Buckley again fired to lead the field, while Diesel Thomas jumped brother Josh at the start. Lachlan Evennett was running in P7 behind Hodson and Tyler Cheney while Tom Davies retired the Camaro early in the race. Gomersall was up to 12th by lap 4 from the back of the grid after taking the penalty for a new tyre, while Crutcher’s good run came to an end with tyre failure at Turn 3.

Diesel Thomas made the move on Hughes into Turn 3 for 2nd outright, with brother Josh following a lap later, then Gomersall also made the move on his charge to 4th outright and Hyperco Hard Charger Award for the round.

In the closing laps, Diesel Thomas closed quickly on the race lead, however with her front tyre deflating, Buckley held on to win by less than 3/10ths of a second, with Josh Thomas 3rd.

Graham Cheney won the Circo Master Class from Crutcher and Hi-Tec Oils Robbie Farr.

Evennnett won the Wilwood Big Braker Award for doing both TA2 and Formula Ford this weekend, while Des Collier claimed the AC Delco Power of Love Award after a massive crash in Darwin’s Trans AM event last weekend and backing up again this weekend.

Hughes still leads the series on 751 points from Gomersall on 541 with Josh Thomas in 3rd on 494 from Diesel Thomas and Josh Webster.

Round Five will be back at Queensland Raceway for a two driver feature event August 15/17.

QUOTES

Jarrod Hughes, #118 Road Active Suspension Chev Camaro
“It was a bit of an up-and-down weekend for us, but finishing first overall in the points was an awesome way to wrap it up. We tried a few setup changes in the last race and I was experimenting with some new lines myself."

"We’ll head back to the drawing board and put in a bit more prep before the next round, but I can’t thank my team enough. I love being around these guys, it’s always a good time, and every weekend like this means more valuable laps and experience for me.”

Diesel Thomas, #18 TFH Hire Ford Mustang
"P2 to finish the weekend, what a result! We’re really stoked with that. With a few more laps, I think we could’ve had a shot at Alice, but credit to her, she drove an awesome race. We went into the final knowing we had a strong tyre bank, and we expected the pace to be fast, and wow, it was quick. To come away with the fastest lap of the race and a podium, it’s honestly the best way I’ve ever finished a weekend.”