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Second young Aussie jumps the Tasman for Highlands 

By Timothy Neal

Date posted: 5 February 2025

Teenage racer Diesel Thomas has joined fellow young Australian Lincoln Taylor in jumping the Tasman to race in the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship at Highlands Park this coming weekend.

Under the shadow of the 69th New Zealand Grand Prix and the headline Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship, Thomas will continue his relatively fresh motorsport journey on the NZ Formula Ford grid.

Not only is it his first time across the ditch, but it’s also his first time racing in a single seater, with the 16-year old high school student having only ever competed in last year’s Toyota 86 Scholarship and Aussie Cars.

Having skipped the Karting phase of a long drivers apprenticeship into tin-tops, Thomas (and Taylor) is yet another product of the Norwell Motorplex in Queensland from under the evergreen tutelage of Paul “The Dude” Morris, who encouraged the trip.

A fresh Thomas taking on the Island in the 2024 Toyota 86 Scholarship series

And beyond the Formula Ford track, his ensuing plans for the year include stepping up his tin-top aspirations into the V8’s of the Australian TA2 Muscle Car Series and Trans Am.

“I can’t wait, It’s so good to get this opportunity.  I have never been to Highlands or New Zealand and never raced a single seater before now,” Thomas said.

“I haven’t even done any karting. Last year I had a go in the Toyota 86 Scholarship and Aussie Cars…we’ll do six-rounds of the TA2 this season then three rounds of Trans Am once I turn 17 in September.

“I’m really pumped about it. The main thing is to gain more race craft, get more laps and racing experience before I start the TA2 season.  I’m really grateful to Paul and Nigel (Barclay) to get this opportunity.”

Thomas will drive a Mygale for Nigel Barclay-Racing Projects alongside Lincoln Taylor, with testing on Thursday, practice on Friday,  and then the qualifying and three 20-minute races over the weekend. 

The round, part of the NextGen Championship, will be broadcast live on the Stuff.co.nz/motoring/speedhub website page.  

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