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Thomas Triumphant in MPI Up on the Wheel Battle
THE battle for the MPI Up on the Wheel Trophy in the Trico Trans Am Series at Hi-Tec Oils Race Tasmania was red hot, with TFH Racing’s Josh Thomas just coming out on top in a tight three-way battle from the Symmons Plains bullring.
Presented to the driver who gained the most positions over the weekend, Thomas made up an impressive 27 places over the four races that opened the 2025 season.
After starting from rear of grid for the opening race on Saturday, Thomas made up 12 positions in 21 laps, the same number he earned in the third race over the course of 16 circuits.
Hot on his heels were Mark Crutcher (Crutcher Developments Mustang) and James Moffat (LMCT+ Mustang), who both made up 25 places a piece.
Of note, Crutcher had a pitlane start for the third race and was just able to pull up before the track-blocking accident on the opening lap.
Ultimately, he charged through to 20th at the chequered flag in that encounter.
Moffat, meanwhile, was challenging for victory in race one before an axle drama slowed his charge.
From the rear of grid at the start of race two, he rebounded to finish fourth in the final two races.
Overall for the weekend, the outright honours went to Todd Hazelwood (TFH Racing Mustang), who swept all before him in claiming four race wins from pole position.
Ben Grice (All American Drivelines Mustang) was strong throughout and proved to be one competitor who was able to match pace with Hazelwood in race conditions, finishing second overall for the event.
Third for the meet was Tom Davies, with the GRM Mustang driver flying under the radar.
In his breakthrough weekend in the category, the Victorian also claimed the Young Gun Award for the top-placed driver under the age of 25.
In the all-important battle for Pro-Am honours, Mark Bailey came out on top after finishing first in three of the four heats.
The third race, however, didn’t go to plan for the Jax Tyres Camaro driver, when he was one of numerous competitors caught out in the first lap pile-up en route to the turn four Hairpin.
Despite the limited time available to teams to complete repairs, the TFH Racing crew swung into action to return the car to the track in class-winning condition.
Second in the Pro-Am stakes for the event was John Holinger (Holinger Racing Mustang), who led home Josh Thomas.
Next up for the Trico Trans Am Series is a return to Mount Panorama Bathurst for a pair of 45-minute-long races at the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour, with the Easter classic set for April 18-20.