New Zealand’s three representatives have been confirmed for the Australasian Young Drivers’ Championships (AYDC) in New South Wales in December.
Crystal Hackett, Sam Thornley and Kerryn Tomlinson will compete against Australia’s top young talent over nine heats at Menangle, Bathurst, Penrith and Newcastle from December 10-14.
Hackett’s selection caps off quite the week for the 20-year-old Aucklander. On Friday she secured a breakthrough victory at the McMillan Equine Feeds New Zealand Junior Drivers’ Championships at Addington.
She will represent the north as that region’s most successful driver, while Thornley is the southern representative.
If the winner of the NZ Junior Driver Championship qualifies as either the leading North Island or leading South Island the position will be given to the next eligible qualifying driver from the NZ Junior Driver Champs. In this instance that is Tomlinson who finished second behind Hackett. She’ll be aiming to emulate the efforts of her sister Sheree, who won the AYDC in 2018.
It’s the second year in a row that both Hackett and Thornley have made the AYDC. Last year Sarah O’Reilly was also there but she has since graduated to the open driving ranks.
The 2024 Australasian Young Drivers’ Championships :
New Zealand’s representatives :
Crystal Hackett (North)
Sam Thornley (South)
Kerryn Tomlinson (NZ Representative)
Where and when :
Tuesday 10 December – Menangle (2 Heats)
Wednesday 11 December – Bathurst (2 Heats)
Thursday 12 December – Penrith (2 Heats)
Friday 13 December – Newcastle (2 Heats)
Saturday 14 December – Menangle (1 Heat) – Inter Dominion 2024 Finals night