The Hi-Tec Oils Super Series reached its exciting conclusion with a day of thrilling races on September 1 at the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park. Spectators were treated to spectacular competition in the TA2 Muscle Car Series, Australian Drivers Championship, Legend Cars Australia, Formula RX8, and Australian Super TT, marking a fitting end to Round 4 of the event.
In the TA2 Muscle Car Series, the day provided no shortage of excitement across three races. Young drivers Jarrod Hughes and Tyler Cheney emerged victorious, taking home a substantial $20,000 prize, while Tom Hayman secured a $5,000 tool prize as well.
"The opening race of the day was an absolute cracker," said Hughes, who started from pole position but lost his lead early to Brook. Hughes soon found himself in a fierce battle as Todd Hazelwood took an early position. While Brook led for a bit, the wear on his tires resulted in him becoming vulnerable to opponents. Hughes described how things unfolded: "Once Hazelwood got ahead, I managed to catch up and overtake him on the penultimate lap. It was an intense race, and I’m glad it ended in my favor." He finished ahead of Elliot Barbour and Jordan Cox, securing a hard-fought win.
Race 2 showcased regular drivers, with Brad Gartner making a strong start against his championship rival. However, after a poor start which saw Haynes drop to fifth, he quickly rebounded. "I managed to make up for lost time and took the lead at Turn 1 on lap three," Haynes noted. Gartner briefly regained control, but Haynes’ resilience drove him ahead to win by 4.3 seconds. Hayman, beginning from the back of the grid, displayed impressive skill to finish in third.
The endurance race was marked by an unfortunate multi-car incident as Tim Brook spun out on Turn 6, prompting a safety car. Hayman led the restart but faced tough competition from both Haynes and the Cheneys, maintaining his position after a chaotic series of pit stops.
In the Australian Drivers Championship, tension filled the air as participants competed in two short races, each packed with fierce competition. During the opening race, Damon Sterling, the championship leader, demonstrated his skill by maintaining the front position despite chaos unfolding behind him. "It was a mad scramble at Turn 2," said Sterling, reflecting on the action, while his closest competitor, Hayden Crossland, was forced to settle for second place after an intense chase.
Crossland, however, found his footing in the fourth race, making a stellar start to lead at Turn 1 and ultimately securing his second consecutive victory. "I didn’t make any mistakes this time, and that’s what it took to clinch the win," said a jubilant Crossland. Sterling secured the overall round victory by a mere two points, showcasing the finely balanced nature of the championship.
In the frenetic Legend Cars Australia events, drama unfolded in Races 3, 4, and 5. Lachlan Ward was the standout performer, winning two of the three races while showcasing dominance throughout the round. Interestingly, the most chaotic of the day was Race 3, where the lead changed hands multiple times due to high-stakes battles. On the final lap, Ward found himself caught in a spin while Scott Melville took advantage from fifth position to steal the lead.
While Ward's chances in Race 3 faltered, he still managed to secure a broader victory with a total of four wins out of five across the round. "It was such an unpredictable race," said Ward, alluding to the wild nature of the competition.
As the weekend wrapped up at the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, competitors and fans alike reflected on the intense rivalries and stunning performances that defined the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series. With the series now complete, teams will take stock and prepare for what next season holds, ensuring that the spirit of motorsport continues blazing.