Brad Vaughan has sent an early statement of intent for the 2026 Dunlop Super2 Series season, claiming a commanding victory in the opening race at Sydney Motorsport Park on Sunday following Saturday's qualifying session on February 21.
The Brad Jones Racing driver capitalized on pole-sitter Zak Best's costly error at the race start to seize control and never looked back, cruising to victory with an impressive margin of 3.4744 seconds in what proved to be a thrilling season opener.
Best had secured pole position through Saturday's qualifying but saw his advantage evaporate in spectacular fashion when the lights went out. The front-row starter executed a massive burnout as the race began, immediately compromising his chances and opening the door for Vaughan to pounce.
Race Results
Starting from the outside of the front row, Vaughan demonstrated the aggressive racing instincts that have made him a force in the series. "I capitalized on the start and knew I had to make my move quickly," Vaughan reflected after his triumphant drive. His decisive action put him ahead of Best before the field even reached Turn 1, establishing the foundation for what would become a dominant performance.
"I capitalized on the start and knew I had to make my move quickly,"
Qualifying
Qualifying
Qualifying
Best's troubles didn't end with his poor start. As the field settled into racing rhythm, he found himself under pressure from Reuben Goodall, who had launched an exceptional charge from sixth on the grid. Goodall's stunning opening lap saw him vault into second place, overtaking the struggling Best and setting up what would become a fierce battle for the remaining podium positions.
Career Journey
"It was an incredible feeling just to be battling at the front like that, especially when you make such a good start," Goodall remarked, clearly pleased with his early-race heroics that put him in contention for a podium finish.
"It was an incredible feeling just to be battling at the front like that, especially when you make such a good start,"
While Vaughan steadily extended his advantage at the front, the real drama unfolded behind him as multiple battles developed throughout the field. Goodall found himself under increasing pressure as the laps ticked by, with Anderson Motorsport's Ryan Tomsett emerging as a serious threat in the closing stages.
With approximately ten minutes remaining, Tomsett had closed the gap significantly and began applying sustained pressure to Goodall's second-place position. The battle intensified over the final laps, with Tomsett pushing hard to find a way past the determined Goodall.
"I was really pushing hard to make a move on Reuben, but he was defending well," Tomsett explained post-race. "It was a close battle but ultimately, I'm pleased with how things went." Despite his best efforts, Tomsett was unable to find the breakthrough he needed, settling for third place in what was nevertheless a strong performance.
"I was really pushing hard to make a move on Reuben, but he was defending well,"
Career Journey
Further back in the field, another captivating duel was unfolding between Lochie Dalton and Ben Gomersall for fifth position. Early in the race, Gomersall had successfully defended against Dalton's advances, but his fortunes changed dramatically in the latter stages when he suffered a costly lock-up entering Turn 2.
The mistake proved expensive for Gomersall, allowing Dalton to capitalize and secure the position. "It was disappointing to lose that position after fighting so hard earlier on," Gomersall lamented, though he was able to maintain sixth place and hold off the charging pack behind him.
"It was disappointing to lose that position after fighting so hard earlier on,"
The strength of the Brad Jones Racing operation was further highlighted by Matt Hillyer's solid performance. Vaughan's teammate secured a position directly behind the lead group, demonstrating the team's potential for the season ahead. "We're all pushing each other hard in training and it shows how much we can achieve together," Hillyer noted, reflecting on the team's collaborative approach.
"We're all pushing each other hard in training and it shows how much we can achieve together,"
Among the standout performers was rookie Bayley Hall, who announced his arrival in the series with a creditable fourteenth-place finish. Hall's ability to hold his own among seasoned competitors suggests he could be a driver to watch as the season progresses.
The quality of racing throughout the field was exemplified by the fact that 20 cars managed to finish on the lead lap, a testament to the competitive depth of the championship and the close nature of the racing.
For Vaughan, the victory represents more than just a strong start to the new season. "It's a great honor to win the first race after finishing the previous season on a high note. To join names like Macrow and Waters in this achievement is special," he said, acknowledging the significance of opening a Super2 season with victory.
As the Dunlop Super2 Series prepares for its next challenge, Vaughan will be determined to maintain the momentum generated by this commanding performance. However, with such close competition evident throughout the field and several drivers clearly capable of challenging for victories, the championship battle promises to be fiercely contested as the season unfolds.
