YOUNG GUNS: AARON SETON
Aaron Seton – Son of a gun – Photo: InSyde Media
Bursting onto the national scene in 2016 through the Toyota 86 Race Series, Aaron Seton was identified as an early title contender, but luck always appeared to desert him at critical moments.
By HEATH McALPINE
Three years on, the third-generation racer has now dabbled in three national classes with success, demonstrating his versatility.
Seton’s latest achievement is winning the Australian TA2 Series, edging out the experienced George Miedecke to seal the title at the Ipswich Classic meeting held at Queensland Raceway.
Driving the Craig Harris-owned Ford Mustang, he overcame an incident in Race 1 which heavily damaged the car, to come back the next day and clinch his first national title.
His journey in TA2 began after having not driven a race car for an extended period, having pulled out of the Toyota series at the end of the 2017 season.
Debuting at Winton, Seton was immediately on the pace in TA2 and had become one of the drivers who has been part of the category’s rapid growth in Australia.
“I started my first round and my first impressions were, ‘Wow, what an amazing car and series’,” Seton told Auto Action.
“It’s a very enjoyable series and I really enjoy driving that style of car. I can’t thank Craig Harris enough, it’s definitely been good for my driving. I’ve improved a lot since I joined the category. For example, if you look back at my qualifying last year compared to this year, I’m 0.5s faster at Queensland Raceway.
“It was a good series for me after jumping out of Toyotas. I spent a couple of years there racing at Supercars meetings, which was good. But I was ready for a change, thankfully the TA2 opportunity came along and it’s more similar to a Supercars style race car. It’s been very good for me.”
Seton was forced to adjust his driving style to suit the bulky and powerful TA2 machine, but the biggest change was the tyres, which are nothing like he had used before.
“Definitely over a race distance you had to look after the rear tyre a bit more in TA2,” Seton explained. “Obviously, they have a bit more horsepower, a little bit more weight and a different tyre, a cross-ply, which is a bit old school.
“That was definitely the biggest difference. A TA2 seems to be very good for three laps. The tyres would slowly start to drop off (after that), but it’s the same for everyone. You certainly learn the basics from the 86s, but it’s been very good to go deeper with the TA2.”
For Seton this appears to have worked. Despite missing the opening two rounds of Touring Car Masters, Seton finished a close second in the Pro-Am points driving the Leo Tobin-owned 1969 Ford Mustang. It was an impressive display that also included two outright victories against the likes of John Bowe and Steve Johnson.
“It’s completely different to any other car I’ve driven before,” Seton emphasised. “It has plenty of old school technology with that leaf spring rear-end, high horsepower and it’s quite heavy. It helps so much to adapt, making you better and a more complete driver.
“I really enjoyed the challenge and for Leo Tobin to give me the opportunity with this car has been incredible and I look forward to seeing what happens next year.”
Also competing this season in TCR came as a bit of a surprise.
Seton filled in for Jean-Karl Vernay at Queensland Raceway after the Frenchman was unable to take his place in the driver’s seat on the Sunday.
After a mad scramble to gather equipment and with just a picture of his licence, Seton was given the go ahead to compete. He finished the day with credible times in what was a very rushed opportunity.
“Being thrown into the deep end at Queensland Raceway for TCR was a challenge, but it was very, cool for me,” Seton reflected.
“I was lucky I had a photo of my licence and borrowed a lot of equipment from a lot of people, especially Tony D [Tony D’Alberto]. I was fortunate to make the grid.
It was very different for me because I’d never driven a front-wheel-drive car before, so it was a completely different style to get used to. Either (you had) to be on the brake or on the throttle a lot, otherwise the rear would want to come around.
“I was practicing in the public’s eye, (so) the first race was a bit difficult, but (I) definitely improved a lot for the second one. Hopefully, I can get another opportunity driving TCR in the near-future.”
The 21-year-old has one of the best mentors in the business in father Glenn – a multiple Australian Touring Car champion – but also has a loyal band of supporters who enable Seton to compete at the pointy end of the field.
“I’m very luckily to have, firstly, the father I have,” said Seton.
“The experience he brings is incredible and the achievements he’s had are very impressive. I can’t learn enough off him. He’s very good at setting up the car and that’s why I was at the front in TA2, due to his engineering skills. Add in Chris Topp too (and) it was a special team we had between us three, plus the Harris family, Dom Domitriades, Mick Benton and everyone else involved that support me.”
But Seton’s race winning formula doesn’t end there.
His day job is inside DJR Team Penske where he works on Fabian Coulthard’s car as number three mechanic, a workshop-based role that allows him to compete for himself on the weekends. It’s these environments that have enhanced Seton’s experience and expertise.
“I’ve been working at DJR Team Penske for two years now. I was very lucky at the time I came in,” Seton explained. “They’re a very special group of guys that take the time out to teach you what you need to know. I’ve certainly learnt a lot and developed as a driver on the technical side since I’ve been there, which transfers back to your driving.”
Next year, Aaron Seton is eager for more opportunities but budget is a big constraint. He would love to create a combined program of TA2 and TCM, though is open to other opportunities, like the entry into the TA2 Series in America which was part of his prize for winning in Australia.
“Whatever opportunities come up, everything’s going to come down to budget as it always does these days, but it’s the same boat for everyone,” concluded Seton.
“Hopefully we can get the budget together to run TA2 again next year and maybe TCM as well.”
Article originally published in Issue 1775 of Auto Action.
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