Hayden Jackson enters into technical alliance with Dream Racing Australia

Young Newcastle-based driver Hayden Jackson has formed an official technical alliance with Dream Racing Australia for the 2024 TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series.

Jackson was a multiple pole position winner in the highly competitive Toyota GAZOO Racing Australia 86 Series in what was a five year stint, before making the step up to the TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series last season.

Running as a privateer family squad for most of the season, a link up with Dream Racing Australia occurred during his campaign and ended up becoming a technical alliance by the year’s finale at Calder Park.

The technical alliance bore fruit straight away when Jackson scored his TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series podium in the final race of the season.

A driver to watch in the TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series this season, Jackson is eager to continue his rapid development in the category using Dream Racing Australia’s large pool of experience to aid in his aim to become a consistent frontrunner.

Jackson will join Dream Racing Australia’s full-time driver Lee Stibbs in forming the squad’s TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series line-up in 2024.

The season starts as part of the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series at Sydney Motorsport Park on April 19-20.

QUOTES:

Hayden Jackson, #81 Maitland Glass and Windscreens, Dodge Challenger

“Last year we ran with Dream Racing Australia at Calder Park and we got a podium in the final race, so we were trending in the right direction,” Jackson explained.

“We not so much ran with Dream Racing Australia throughout last year, but we did have a little bit of technical support, while we were learning last year. 

“We got along with Frank (Mezzatezza) so well at Calder Park last year that we needed to have him with us. All the guys that are part of the team such as Craig, Cam and Ben are all awesome people, so the alliance has been bloody awesome.

“It’s just a completely different beast compared to what I have driven before, so it’s just about learning how to trust a slick tyre and how to drive the car without using too much rubber. I’ve learnt in the TA2 car patience is key in regard to stepping on the power.

“Aligned with Dream Racing Australia now, we’ll find a lot more pace and we’ve gained the step we were missing previously. Dream brings the expertise and guidance to take me to the next level that we know we can race at. We’ve proven in other categories we’re competitive with the right knowhow and that’s what Dream brings.

“Racing at what is our closest circuit to start the season has its advantages as I’ve got plenty of laps under my belt at Sydney Motorsport Park, but there is an added pressure to make sure we perform.

Craig Scutella, Team Owner, Dream Racing Australia

“We spotted Hayden last year whilst running Jackson Rice (now Trans Am) to a successful campaign in TA2,” explained Scutella. 

“On occasions Hayden had raw pace but inconsistency was the greatest issue. From the outside it looked like the driver was better than the car.

“After a discussion with Colin (Hayden’s father and mechanic), DRA (Frank Mezzatezza) engineered the car at Calder Park in the last event of the TA2 season and Hayden achieved a podium against very strong competition in testing track conditions.

“Colin and mother Lurrene are turbocharged to ensure that Hayden has a successful 2024 in TA2 and DRA (Cameron Fisher, Kim Jane and the crew) are planning a strategic approach to synchronise the race car to better Hayden’s special talents.

“TA2 (founded by Peter Robinson and now navigated by Craig Denyer) competition has risen every year and 2024 will be super competitive, indeed TA2 and Trans Am arguably is as/more competitive as other feeder categories into Supercars.

“DRA are proud to be running Hayden and Lee in 2024, both prodigious talents and both capable of giving the TA2 Championship a huge shake.”