Dalton set for Tickford renewal

Tickford Racing is set to re-sign second year Super2 driver Lochie Dalton for 2025 after a solid sophomore season in the Dunlop Series.

Having made his Super2 debut last year at Newcastle for Brad Jones Racing, Dalton jumped to an expanded three-car Tickford operation for 2024 alongside 2022 Super3 champion Brad Vaughan and Super2 rookie Rylan Gray.

The Launceston product finished 10th in last year's Super2 standings, with a highlight being a round podium in Perth, and has shown more consistency this year to sit ninth heading into the Adelaide decider.

Although he is the lowest ranked of the three Tickford drivers, Dalton's season has been highlighted by a Repco Supercars Championship debut in a Tickford wildcard at Sydney Motorsport Park.

The 22-year-old kept out of trouble to record finishes of 22nd and 24th across the two races, and finished ahead of full-timer Aaron Love on both occasions.

Speaking to the Hobart Mercury, Dalton revealed that he is set to re-sign with Tickford in 2025, though it is yet to be confirmed if there will be more wildcard appearances or a drive in the enduros at The Bend and Bathurst.

Tickford Autosport also have one final test day before the VAILO Adelaide 500 Super2 decider, where they will be looking to maintain their momentum from recent rounds.

Vaughan claimed his long-awaited maiden Super2 Series victory in the Sunday race at Sandown, whilst Gray became the youngest ever Super2 round winner at Bathurst, at just 17 years, 10 months, and 11 days old.

"It's more of a Super2 focus before the last round and I will formalise my contract for next year in the next couple of weeks," Dalton told the publication.

"In Adelaide, we'll be looking for more of the same from Bathurst.

"We had a really strong car there and we were fighting in the top three, so hopefully we can do that again in Adelaide and finish on the podium."

Now based in Sydney, Dalton will enter the final round of this year's Dunlop Series with some extra miles under his belt, having competed against Gray in Australian GT4 over the weekend in Sydney.

Pairing with fellow Tasmanian Ben Newman in a Mercedes, Dalton claimed third on Sunday in the Pro Am class, whilst Gray claimed a pair of second place finishes in the Silver class alongside George Miedecke in a Ford Mustang GT4.

The final round of the 2024 Dunlop Series will take place at the VAILO Adelaide 500 from November 14-17. Tickets to the event are on sale now.