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Tasmanian redemption for Dalton Ellery
A rear-end failure after only three laps at Symmons Plains derailed Dalton Ellery’s maiden event in Turtle Wax Trans Am Series, but a remarkable recovery followed.
Leaving Launceston sixth in the points was just reward for Ellery and the Bruce Lynton Service team after a large effort to replace the entire rear-end mechanicals before Saturday’s qualifying session.
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This was successful and Ellery qualified 16th in what were his first laps of anger around Symmons Plains in the Chelgrave Ford Mustang.
“We had heaps of problems on Friday, we only did three laps before a axle failure,” explained Ellery.
“Qualifying was really the first time I’d really been able to push on the track as the three laps that I did were driving around in a freight train warming up tyres. The first lap of me having a crack was when the transaxle failed, so qualifying provided that opportunity to have a go at the track.”
Progressive improvement throughout the three events demonstrated Ellery’s promise as he took out the Hoosier Cup class.
“Ninth in the first race was awesome, we were bloody stoked with that,” he recalled.
“Ninth again in the second race and I think we started eighth in the final event. We were just happy with the improvement because everybody had written us off after Friday.
“We finished fourth in the final race, which we were very stoked with. A lot of rivals thought that our weekend was over and we had to focus on other things, but in the back of my mind I was always pushing.”
Focused now on continuing this form at Phillip Island, Ellery is excited to tackle what he has termed a ‘bucket list’ circuit to race at and has called on father Steve for advice.
“I reckon it will be an awesome car to drive around there, the iconic view of the sea at Turns 1 and 2, getting light across Lukey Heights,” said Ellery.
“I’ve spoken to my dad so much about his experiences there, how the cars handle and how to approach a set-up there.
“It’s just one of the tracks, which is iconic across the world. Everyone knows what Phillip Island is and I’m really looking forward to getting down there to race.”
And preparation for the round by the Bruce Lynton Service personnel has left Ellery confident of a strong result.
The crew have been putting in the hours completing repairs and have done a really good job,” he explained.
“It looks brand new.”
The second round of Turtle Wax Trans Am will be part of the opening Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships event of the season at Phillip Island on March 18-20.
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Anyone wishing to attend the event is reminded tickets will not be available for purchase at the gate. Tickets must be purchased via Eventbrite prior to entry. Purchasing your tickets in advance will save you time at the gate.