Lochie Dalton gets supercar nod as he becomes youngest Tasmanian to race in V8s main game

“I have been working toward this since I was seven” - Lochie Dalton about to be the youngest Tasmanian ever to race V8 supercars

Supercars star Cam Waters has handed the “keys” to his old ride - the Monster Energy Racing Ford Mustang GT - to Tasmanian Lochie Dalton, who will make his supercar championship debut in Sydney at the weekend. (Photo by Kerry Marshall/Getty Images)

Young gun Lochie Dalton will become the first Tasmanian to race in the Australian V8 supercar championship since local legend Marcos Ambrose when he suits up for motorsport giant Tickford Racing in a wildcard drive at Sydney SuperNight next weekend.

Dalton, 21, has been dreaming of a supercars seat since he was in primary school.

This week that dream comes true when the lad from Launceston becomes the youngest Tasmanian ever to race in the V8 supercars championship.

To put icing on the supercar cake, Dalton will drive the roaring five-litre 650-horsepower Mustang of supercars star Cam Waters in his championship debut.

“It still doesn’t quite feel real at the moment,” Dalton said.

“It’s something my family and I have been working toward since I was seven-years-old.

“At the time you never think something like this is ever going to happen, it’s just about fun.

“But now it is becoming a reality and it’s pretty crazy.”

Waters, who is fourth in the championship, was handed a new Mustang earlier in the season.

Dalton will drive the former Waters weapon and is still getting used to his bucking bronco.

“I’ve only done one test day but I’ve driven the generation before this one, and the new ones are a bit different but the fundamentals are still the same,” Dalton said.

Since confirmation of his debut came through, Dalton has upped the ante with his training.

“I’ve been working out in the gym a lot and working at the track [Sydney Motorsport Park],” he said.

“I fly to Melbourne on Monday to Tickford headquarters for a lot of briefings and commercial stuff with the team, and then it’s all systems go from Thursday.

“It all happens pretty quick.”

The Sydney SuperNight will happen under lights, starting with a 90-minute practice session on Friday night, and a 51-lap race on both Saturday and Sunday nights.

“I’ve raced at night here before so it should be all good,” Dalton said.

“It’s going to be spectacular because it is at night and Sydney Motorsport Park has so many lights so it’s not too bad.

“It’s pretty much my home track.

“I moved to Sydney when I was about 18 to have a crack at my racing career and I work at the track as a driver coach.

“So I’ve had plenty of experience there.”

The following round is Tasmania’s largest sporting event, the SuperSprint at Symmons Plains on August 16-18.

There is a slim chance Dalton could be on the grid for his home-town round.

“I’m not sure at the moment, it’s a slight chance but probably unlikely – I’m just focusing on Sydney,” he said.

“It would be pretty cool to race in Tassie in front of a home crowd, that would be amazing.

“If I got the opportunity I definitely would.

“I just want to get the experience from Sydney and see what I need to learn to be able to be there full-time.”

Originally published as Lochie Dalton gets supercar nod as he becomes youngest Tasmanian to race in V8s main game