Second young Aussie driver joins NZ Formula Ford grid at Highlands this weekend

A second young Australian driver is on his way across the Tasman to join the grid of the 2024 Napa Auto Parts NZ Formula Ford Championship at Highlands Park in Cromwell this weekend. Sixteen-year-old Diesel Thomas will make his single seater debut at the second round of the series with plans to compete in the remaining third and fourth rounds in the North Island.

“I can’t wait,” commented Thomas. “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.”

In fact, the high school student only started racing last season and sees this opportunity to enable him to get more track time before tackling a full season of the 2025 Australian TA2 Muscle Car Series.

“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.”

Fellow Australian Lincoln Taylor is also competing in the NZ Formula Ford Championship competing in the opening round in Timaru a fortnight ago. Both Thomas and Taylor come out of the Norwell Motorplex in Queensland and have been encouraged by Paul Morris to gain more experience in New Zealand.

“I’m really pumped about it,” said Thomas. “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. Testing at Highlands Motorsport Park takes place on Thursday with practice on Friday, 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.

The final two rounds take place in the North Island with three races at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park 21-23 March and four races at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon 4-6 April 2025.