It was a tough weekend for Dream Racing Australia and its driver Jackson Rice, but there was lots to feel positive about at the opening round of Trico Trans Am at Symmons Plains as part of Race Tasmania.

Following a solid off-season rebuilding his Ford Mustang alongside team manager Cameron Fisher and engineer Glenn Seton, Rice’s pace across the weekend vindicated the decision by ending the event inside the top 10.

The most competitive field in Trico Trans Am history contested four races around the short Tasmanian circuit, which was going to provide a challenge throughout the weekend. Rice finished the sole practice session in 14th and replicated this in qualifying.

Rice moved up to be 10th in the opening race, highlighting the First National Ford Mustang’s strong race pace, but a move on the final lap in the second event to take seventh led to a spin and he dropped to 17th.

A masterful recovery drive led Rice to only gain minor damage amid a large pile-up at the start of Race 3 and he was able to climb to 15th by the end.

Rice saved the best for last as he crossed the line 10th in the final race of the weekend to cap off a round of perseverance.

Next up for Rice and the Dream Racing Australia crew is the hallowed tarmac of Mount Panorama, Bathurst at the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour on April 18-20.

QUOTES

Jackson Rice

#7 First National/Dream Racing Australia, Ford Mustang

“A bit of an up and down weekend,” said Rice.

“We didn’t qualify where I wanted to, but we had a really good race car and made up five positions in the first race. In the second, I drove all the way to seventh, but on the final corner of the last lap I spun and dropped down to 19th.

“Being a progressive grid we had to work our way forward and pass plenty of cars. I started from 14th in the final and drove my way into the 10.

“All-in-all, it wasn’t a bad weekend. Not a bad points haul from the weekend, I want to be consistently in the 10 and keep pushing up the front.

“The car’s coming home reasonably straight and I can’t thank all the team at Dream Racing Australia enough, all the crew have done a mega job this weekend. I’d like to thank First National Real Estate, Johnson MME, Hi-Tec Oils and absolutely everyone that has come onboard this weekend.

“It’s been fantastic and we’ll see you at Bathurst next month.”