Stibbs subs in for Farr
Image: John Morris
Lee Stibbs will step into the #7 Hi-Tec Oils sponsored TA2 car usually piloted by speedway legend Robbie Farr this week at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Sydney Sundown is the second Hi-Tec Oils Super Series event this year and plays host to the third round of the TFH Hire TA2 Muscle Car Series - presented by Maritimo Luxury Yachts.
Farr has been a stalwart in the TA2 Muscle Car Series since making his debut at Winton Motor Raceway midway through last year, however, will miss this event.
Into his Chevrolet Camaro driver’s seat jumps Lee Stibbs, an experienced and fast driver in TA2 competition, a previous race and round winner in the category.
Stibbs has competed in both the Trans Am Series and the TA2 Muscle Car Series at a variety of tracks around the nation and is a very safe pair of hands.
This weekend he will be competing for New South Wales based outfit Hi-Tec Oils Motorsport, a team that has quickly established itself as a front-running squad within the series.
South Australian Brad Gartner has scored many race wins for them and finished as the series runner-up in 2024.
Stubbs’ deal to race has come together very quickly, and Gartner played a significant part in making it happen.
“It’s been a little bit of a whirlwind,” Stubbs explained. “Yesterday I was figuring out where on the couch I was going to sit and watch the action with my young lad, my daughter and my wife, and only 12 hours later have I figured out my seat's going to be in one.
“Brad Gartner and I are mates, we were teammates a few years ago. Brad and I stay in touch about farming, we touched base just about that.
“He happened to mention that Robbie was out of the car, I made a joke and said, let them know I'm available, and he responded saying, ‘well, if you're interested’.
“I'm always interested! About an hour after that, it was all tidied up, done, and flights booked.
“I’m very much looking forward to it, a big shout out to Hi-Tec Oils, a massive shout out to Tayla Kennedy and George Gambino, they've been great.
“I have a small business here in Adelaide, a dealership which uses Hi-Tec Oils, it's fitting to drive for the Hi-Tec Oils team.I’m grateful of the opportunity and look forward to representing a great brand and getting amongst it.”
He will drive a make and model of car that he is very familiar with, a Chevrolet Camaro.
Last year in the TA2 Muscle Car Series at Sydney Motorsport Park Stibbs finished eighth for the round, despite retiring from the final race.
Stibbs spent a majority of the weekend inside the top five, he qualified in fourth position and finished there in Race 1, he came home fifth in Race 2, and seventh in the third affair.
With nothing to lose, and no championship to think about, Stibbs could be a joker in the pack when the TA2 Muscle Car Series races there under lights.
“Brad's managed to get some really good results with the Hi-Tec Oils Camaro and I've been in a team with Brad, we sort of speak the same language,” Stibbs recalled.
“If the setup is good and if we drive it well enough, we'll be somewhere up there, how that translates over the weekend, we don't know.
“My job is to have a good time, represent good people, and just do our best I can, no clear objective, apart from driving fast and getting through it clean.”
All four of the TA2 Muscle Car Series races will be shown on the TV broadcast on Friday and Saturday.
The Sydney Sundown will be shown live on SBS Viceland, Fox Sports and Kayo on Friday and Saturday from 17:00 to 21:00 AEST.
More action can be seen on the official Super Series YouTube channel, from 14:00-22:00 AEST on Friday, and from 13:00-2200 AEST on Saturday.
Tickets to the event can be bought here.
Follow the Super Series on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram for more event updates.