News
Tom Hayman moves operation in-house for maiden full-season Trans Am campaign
Participating in the final two rounds of last year’s Turtle Wax Trans Am Series, Tom Hayman is preparing to undertake a full campaign this year and it will be as part of an in-house family-backed operation.
Hayman made his category debut at Queensland Raceway driving a Ford Mustang prepared by the experienced Beric Lynton, but it proved a tough initiation.
If Hayman was hoping for an easier run at Sandown, the weather had other ideas. However, it provided an opportunity and Hayman took it to score his first category podium.
The upcoming season signals a big shift for Hayman as his family team will take on the preparation and running of the Di Prinzio Concreting Ford Mustang, a new challenge he is excited for.
“We’re looking forward to learning about the car ourselves and doing all the prep work in-house for the first time since we moved into circuit racing,” Hayman revealed.
“It’s going to take up a lot of time, but there are a lot of guys in our team and there will be at least one doing all the work needed to do the job. We’ll put our heads together and get it done.
“There’s a lot of stuff we’ll need to learn, we’ve only completed two race meetings in it. The only way to learn is to throw yourself in the deep end. I’m expecting it to be a tough year, but we have the same expectations we’ve always had, which is to have fun and that’s the main thing.”
A workshop is being built at Hayman’s family home where sponsor Di Prinzio Concreting aided in the construction. Tools, a hoist and all other components required to run the Mustang continue to be gathered ahead of the season opener at AWC Race Tasmania on February 24-26.
“There’s quite a bit of involvement and co-ordination to get everything in order to ensure we have the right tools to run the car ourselves,” he said.
“We’ve had to order all the items in order to prep the car to a top standard, which will take a bit of time and may put us behind the eight ball a little, but we’ll be all good.”
Although not at all rounds due to his Australian Production Car commitments, Hayman’s team will call on Lynton when the two categories contest the same event for guidance.
“We have a little support from Beric Lynton, who used to run the car for us,” Hayman explained. “His crew will be at selected rounds and at those events we’ll turn to Beric for a bit of advice and support.”
Recalling his first two events last year, Hayman is hoping to continue the momentum gained at Sandown into the upcoming season.
“Our first weekend at Queensland Raceway was a rough one, but nevertheless it was fun and that’s all that mattered,” Hayman reflected. “We moved to Sandown where we didn’t have any expectations and ended up fighting the guys at the top, which gave me great confidence heading into this year.”
The Turtle Wax Trans Am Series will kick off its third season as part of AWC Race Tasmania on February 24-26, CLICK HERE for tickets.
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