Photo credit: Colson Photography
Jackson Rice has had a challenging start to the Trans Am Series at the Hi-Tec Oils Race Tasmania on the weekend, with plenty of carnage testing his driving skills…and patience.
Rice rolled out of the truck with speed on Saturday, finishing 14th in both practice and the first qualifying session out of a field of 32 cars. The Dream Racing Australia driver improved his position for the first race of the weekend and finished an impressive P10, managing to stay out of the hustle and bustle.
“It was a trying weekend,” admitted Jackson.
“We had some pace early on during practice. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t get to show it at times. We were feeling really good about qualifying, but unfortunately two minutes into the first session a red flag was called. We were on our flying lap and onto the second to last corner and we didn’t make it to the line in time – which meant that our lap time didn’t count.
“It was one of those situations where it was fortunate for some, but unlucky for others (like us). So, we started on the back foot and started from P14 for race 1. We managed to drive our way forward to P10 and pick up a few positions, which we were happy with. The car felt good, it had pace, we managed the tyres, drove smart, avoided a lot of accidents – which put us in a really good position for race 2.”
Sunday was an action-packed day with three races to round out the weekend. However, luck wasn’t on Rice’s side and a possible top five finish was stripped from the youngster due to no fault of his own.
“Race 2 saw us start out at P10, which we were able to push through the pack and make it as far up as P7. The car had plenty of pace and we were looking really good,” said Rice.
“Unfortunately though, on the last lap and on the last corner, I was putting a move on a car and got pushed from behind, which turned me into the infield and put us further down the pack. We lost a whole heap of spots and finished up in 17th.
“The car that turned me copped a penalty, but unfortunately that didn’t give us back our position or points. So, that was super frustrating as I believe we had the pace to finish inside the top five.
“Race 3 we started from P17 and managed to get up to 14th , however as I was passing a big accident down the front straight (of which I was very lucky to get through), I just touched the concrete wall on the right-hand side.
“Unfortunately, it bent the steering and broke all the braces on the splitter, so obviously the splitter was then dragging on the ground causing a whole heap of grief. The right-hand steering rod also got bent, so the crew had to patch the car as best they could, and I had to limp the car around for the remainder of the race and crossed the line in 15th.
“For the final race we started out of combined points and in 16th. Again, carnage struck at the first corner and on the first lap, which I managed to get around and stayed clean. I was able to get some good laps in and make up some positions after the Safety Car and brought it home in 10th, which was a good recovery.
“It was a testing weekend. We had a fast car and had the pace to probably sit eighth consistently across the weekend. It was one of those rounds that sort of got away, but nonetheless we banked good points and still came away with plenty of positives.
“A massive thanks to the crew for all of their efforts, they did a mega job, and I felt really confident with the package of the car.
“We head to Bathurst in a month, so we’ll regroup and rebuild, and we’ll do some testing beforehand as well.
“A big thanks to all of my sponsors, we wouldn’t be here without you all.”
The TRICO Trans Am Series next heads to Bathurst for round 2, April 18-20.
RESULTS
Saturday 22nd March
Practice 1 – 14th
Qualifying – 14th
Race 1 – 10th
Sunday 23rd March
Race 2 – 17th
Race 3 – 15th
Race 4 – 10th