Vaughan seeing benefits of Tickford expansion

Brad Vaughan says Tickford Autosport is reaping the benefits of having three cars in the Dunlop Series, with the Ford squad making a flying start to 2024.

Vaughan scored a maiden podium at last weekend’s Thrifty Bathurst 500, with teammates Rylan Gray and Lochie Dalton fourth and fifth overall.

The Tickford trio stayed out of trouble all weekend, notably avoiding the carnage at the front of the pack to leave Bathurst at the top, and with straight cars.

Vaughan, who was paired with Elly Morrow last season, scored two poles but was caught up in a number of incidents.

In 2024, Tickford now has three drivers in its junior arsenal, and all are working together to push the team forward and attempt to win its first Super2 title since 2016.

Vaughan was sixth and third in the two Bathurst races, with Gray fourth and sixth, and Dalton — who arrived from Brad Jones Racing — seventh fifth.

"It's super beneficial to have data, to have someone who's fast enough to push you along the way,” Vaughan said.

“[Kai Allen] was down to seventh and won the championship last year, so you really don't know until the last race, as I found out the year before in Super3.”

The Tickford trio were three of seven drivers — along with Allen, Aaron Cameron, Jarrod Hughes and Max Vidau — to record top 10 finishes in both races.

It was a stark contrast to 2023 for Vaughan, who had to wait until Round 4 at Sandown to notch up two straight top 10 finishes. This time round, the Barossa driver leaves Round 1 in title contention, and was pleased to put his bad luck to bed.

“Starting a new year, it's everyone starting from zero points,” he said.

“It’s an opportunity to get a good first round for the year. Just had some bad luck last year, so happy to put that behind me."

The Dunlop Series will resume at the Perth SuperSprint on May 17-19.