Jason Hedges Racing (JHR) are teaming up with Australian Pro Stock exports and current NHRA Pro Stock Team RTR Rob Tucker Racing for the upcoming Santo’s Super Thunder Event at Willowbank Raceway on April 14.
Team owner Jason Hedges is recovering from back surgery and has acknowledged the fact that he won’t be physically fit in time for the event.
Preliminary discussions with RTR around Shane filling the seat of the DecoGlaze Pontiac GXP, with Rob spinning some spanners, have come to fruition in recent days. This will see the father/son combination of Rob and Shane teaming up on home soil for this one-time deal.
“I’m pumped to get back behind the wheel of a 400 cube small block, especially in such great equipment with JHR. Jason has assembled a first class operation and we will be doing our best to put the DecoGlaze GXP up at the pointy end of the field,” Shane said.
“I can’t wait to drop the clutch in this badass car. It showed great promise running 6.96 @ 196mph off the trailer in Jason’s first outing back in the car in November last year.
“Dad and I will work with Jason’s team to get this thing where it needs to be. Uncle Dave (Tucker) has been crew chief for Jason for five years now. Dave, along with Justin Gall and Jason from J & D Custom Cabinetry, have given Jason H their time and effort at every test and race meeting.
“The timing was perfect for me, as my AUZMET Architectural business, which is based in both Australia and the US, has me flying in and out of both countries throughout the year. So, when Jason approached RTR, it was a good thing for all of us. Jason has the same outlook on business and racing as myself – if you’re going to do it, do it right, as well as look and perform to your very best.”
Hedges first met the Tuckers after gaining his Pro Stock licence in 2008.
“They invited me (and the Tremaniac Racing team) to stay over at their race base and celebrate the successful licensing day,” he said. “This shows what sort of people they are. I didn’t know them, and there I am in their home that night, having a few drinks and talking Pro Stock. Since that day, the respect for each other’s teams has been mutual.”
The friendship between families has grown from there. The Hedges family spent a week in Charlotte (USA) last year at Z-MAX 4 wide with the Tuckers, experiencing first-hand NHRA Pro Stock and attending the NHRA Charity Golf day as Shane’s guests.
Hedges is also proud to announce that Mr Taxman is back on board, sponsoring JHR for the closing three rounds of the season.
“Adrian Raftery, owner of Mr Taxman, admits he does not know a lot about cars, but loves Pro Stock, as it is the most intense and tightest racing he has ever seen,” he said.
The Santo’s Super Thunder race will be the third round for Pro Stock in the 400 Thunder 2016/17 Series. With two further races in the series, being the May 6 Nitro Thunder at Sydney and the 50th Winternationals at Willlowbank on June 8-11, JHR are looking to get some valuable data and track time for their team and sponsors.
JHR will have new t-shirts for sale and heaps of free posters available at this event, so come and visit Shane and Jason in the pits and be sure to grab an autograph, or a photo whilst sitting in their Pro Stocker.
