A superstar Workshop Service Technician from Cobram Rural won the opportunity join the Red Bull Ampol Racing pit crew at Winton Motor Raceway’s Winton SuperSprint from May 20 to 22.
Hamish Dalitz, 21, was chosen as part of New Holland’s partnership with Red Bull Ampol Racing for the 2022 Supercars Championship season, where New Holland Apprentices, Technicians, and Parts & Service Managers can win the opportunity to be a part of one of seven Supercars pit crew experiences.
As part of the pit crew experience, Hamish had behind the scenes access on race day, joined the team on the tools in the pit lane, and met the drivers, all while kitted out in team uniform.
Cobram Rural Dealer Principal Nick Pettigrove said Hamish had completed his four-year trade apprenticeship despite a “horrid 2020 due to Covid” and was a deserving winner of this opportunity.
“Hamish was only able to attend one and a half weeks of trade school to finish off his apprenticeship, yet he has stood up and taken it all on his shoulders to now be a full time Heavy Diesel Technician,” he said.
“He has picked up electrical and mechanical diagnostics and is never too afraid to get out of his comfort zone.
“His customer service and maturity towards customers is outstanding, with a strong head on his shoulders he is becoming a leader to the other apprentices and teaching them along the way.”
Hamish said after a tough period to complete his apprenticeship, it was an achievement to be recognised for his hard work on the tools and determination to persevere during COVID.
“I’ve been with Cobram Rural for over four and a half years, moving from work experience, to work placement, to an apprenticeship, and now a full time qualified role,” he said.
“I am thankful for the opportunity and support that Cobram Rural and New Holland have given me, as well as Nick, for helping me to meet every difficulty with a positive outlook.
“I’m passionate about working on New Holland Balers and the high horsepower machines such as the T8 and T9 Series, which is reflected in my experience working on high powered race cars with Red Bull Ampol Racing.
“During the Winton SuperSprint, I was able to experience how the race team operates and was exposed to the amount of work involved in ensuring a car is track-ready including tyre preparation, research into best practice to get the best result, and the sheer effort of the pit crew.
“I found the work environment similar to servicing customers at Cobram Rural, with variations to the speed of race cars versus tractors. The experience has taught me that being the best at what we do requires hard work, effort, and professionalism – all of which I strive to do at Cobram Rural.
“Winning this competition has meant an amazing amount to me and having this memorable experience is testament to my hard work, and the support I’ve got around me.”
Mark Dutton, Team Manager of Red Bull Ampol Racing said, “We’re in a fortunate position where we can provide these unique opportunities for budding mechanical apprentices to join the Red Bull Ampol Racing team in the hustle-and-bustle of a Supercars event.
“The role of these apprentices is not to be taken lightly – they’re in the thick of it carrying out vital tasks that enable us to perform to the highest standards. It was fantastic to have Hamish attend the Winton SuperSprint with the team, with the support of our Team Partner, New Holland.
“He wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, and he was a great character to have around our garages – an approach that was good enough for him to qualify for a full time gig! It was also great to celebrate a team win and a handful of podiums with him as well.”
New Holland Australia and New Zealand General Manager Bruce Healy said he is proud of the exceptional emerging talent coming through the New Holland workshops, such as Hamish at Cobram Rural.
“Hamish is a part of the high calibre up-and-coming talent in our network, and we’re pleased to be able to recognise and reward him for keeping our customers’ operations running every day,” Mr Healy said.
“The New Holland team members who are rewarded with this experience are required to apply their skills from high-powered agricultural machines to high-powered performance vehicles in a high-pressure setting.
“With Hamish’s pit crew experience focused on high performance vehicle maintenance, team roles, and driver preparation, he can apply his refined high-performance knowledge in a high-pressure situation to his own work on agricultural machinery at Cobram Rural.”
