Hughes over Herne in the West

The Novus Glass TA2 Kings Of The West has kicked off with a brilliant battle between Nathan Herne in the Blue Gold Industries Dodge Challenger and Jarrod Hughes in the AC Delco Ford Mustang with Hughes eventually taking the victory by 1.5 seconds over Herne and Hodson at Carco.com.au Raceway this afternoon. 

Hughes started off the weekend well by taking pole position but it was Herne that got the jump  as the lights went out for the race start with Herne and Hughes putting on show running nose to tail lap after lap until Hughes got the run out of the famous turn 6 bowl pulling side by side in a classic drag race down the final corner where Hughes prevailed and went on the win the opening salvo. 

Third place went the way of Super 2 driver Ayrton Hodson in the Eye Spy/ Ashley Jarvis Racing  Mustang who patiently watched the two front runners but never challenged them deciding to play the long tyre game with 3 races still left to run across the weekend.  

Flying the flag for the WA racers was Clinton Rayner who drove a superb race bringing the No. 76 Rayner Racing Camaro across the stripe for fourth place and now takes the lead in the race for the Kings of The West Masters Trophy for the best placed driver over 45 years of age. 

Drama ensued with just minutes to go when local peddler Jason Pryde spun at turn 7 then knocked an oil line off the oil cooler as he rejoined the circuit, eventually spinning out of the race at turn one. 

While the race continued, the entire field did an incredible job to keep their TA2 cars on the circuit through turn one enabling the race to run green for the full 20 minutes. 

The Novus Glass TA2 Kings of the West will enjoy another 3 races across the weekend, two tomorrow with the finale of the weekend on Sunday where the 2025 Novus Glass Kings of the West will be crowned. 

All races can be seen live on Fox Sports and Kayo across the weekend but also keep up to date with the news and results by following TA2 Racing Australia on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok. 

QUOTES

Jarrod Hughes - #118 AC Delco Mustang. 

“ I was annoyed that Nathan got the jump on me at the start but I was happy to follow and watch to see where I might be able have a crack at him and after a few laps I could see his tyres were burning up so I just bided my time then went for the over under pass out of turn 6 and the full pass at turn 7 and got the job done”. 

“It was a ripper battle, and I can’t wait for the rest of the weekend.” 

Nathan Herne - #29 Blue Gold Industries Dodge Challenger

“I did the best job I could with what I had but I’ve struggled to get the feel and speed out of the car since changing tyres for Qualifying. 

“We’ll see if we can find any other issues overnight but either way we’re just going to have to do the best we can and tomorrow is another day and we’ll have a real crack because it’s a long way to come to WA to come second.” 

Ayrton Hodson - #32 Ashely Jarvis Racing/ Eye Spy Mustang

“This track is awesome fun and just sitting back and watching the two front boys I learnt a lot so I reckon I know where I can pick some time for the rest of the weekend and will hopefully be making it a three way battle in the next race.”

Clinton Rayner - #76 Rayner Racing Camaro

“If I’m honest I’m over the moon to come home in fourth place against some of the East Coast boys and now I’m here I’m not going to give it up easily so for the next three races I may just be the widest TA2 Camaro in history.”