De Pasquale on his Mustang L-plates
ANTON de Pasquale says he still has “a lot to learn” as he prepares to make his debut in Australia’s fastest Ford.
Anointed as the next Scott McLaughlin when he was signed by Dick Johnson Racing as the replacement for the three-peat champion, de Pasquale will be hurled into the hot seat this weekend when he takes on Holden at Mount Panorama in the Supercars season opener.
The former Erebus driver will be under immediate pressure to make his mark after beating out a host of rivals to win McLaughlin’s prized seat after the reigning champion moved to America to chase his IndyCar dream.
Just days out from taking to Mount Panorama in what is expected to be the field’s fastest Ford, de Pasquale spoke about the herculean challenge of living up to his all-conquering predecessor.
“We have come out of a shakedown and a test and so far it is all positive,” de Pasquale said.
“We have stuck to our plan and worked out a lot about the car. I still have a lot to learn about trying to drive these things fast like the two other guys that came before me, but so far so good. I am looking forward to Bathurst.”
De Pasquale said his allnew Mustang would not be his only challenge because Mount Panorama is hosting a rare sprint round in addition to the 1000km endurance race that will be run later this year on October 10.
“It is unusual because you usually come here late in the year and with a co-driver,” de Pasquale said.
“You are only usually thinking about Sunday and that it only matters for one lap at the end.
“This time we have two 250km races so you have a chance to back it up a day after and rectify anything you didn’t get right.
“I have done a sprint race there in Super2 so I have a bit of experience and I think it will be really cool.”
Returning DJR driver Will Davison will also be out to resurrect his career after being signed as Fabian Coulthard’s replacement in the heavyweight team.
“We have been talking about this for months,” Davison said.
“So we just want to get the show on the road. I want to start this new journey.”
AN elite field of 104 players has entered the 2021 Men’s and Women’s Tasmanian Open Golf Championships commencing tomorrow.
Conducted concurrently, the men’s and women’s Open Championships create unprecedented exposure for the game and a top-class event in Tasmania.
Favourites for the men’s title include Queensland’s Blaike Perkins, Victoria’s Toby Walker and Jack Buchanan from South Australia.
Locals hoping to capture the elusive title include Royal Hobart’s Joey Bower, Mitch Van Noord from Launceston and local member Mathew Glover.
Wynyard’s Jack Lakin, Ulverstone’s Cameron Allen and Ronan Filgate from Prospect Vale are strong favourites and will also be out to prove their mettle.
The Tasmanian Open’s honour roll includes players such as Bill Dunk, Ian Stanley, Mathew Goggin, Geoff Ogilvy and Nick Flanagan.
Current women’s champion Kathryn Norris from Western Australia will not defend the title she won last year at Ulverstone Golf Club.
However, Alexandra Hilliard from Victoria, Queensland’s Haruhi Nakatani and Kelsey Bennett from New South Wales will be big drawcards for the event.
Local hopefuls to keep an eye on are Hallie Meaburn — fresh off her course record and top-five finish at the Australian Amateur Championships earlier this month
— from Royal Hobart, Ulverstone’s Sarah Johnstone and Tasmania Golf Club’s Mackenzie Wilson.
Each is a former Tasmanian women’s team member who will be hungry to see their name engraved on the Elvie Whitesides trophy.
Meanwhile, a handful of Australia’s best senior golfers will tee off at Kingston Beach for the Men’s and Women’s
Tasmanian Senior Championship.
Among the field of 37 competitors are 22 Tasmanians chasing the title in the three-day event.
The Men’s and Women’s Tasmanian Open and Tasmanian Senior Open Golf Championships are being conducted at Kingston Beach Golf Club from February 25-28 and admission is free.
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