- Ex-dairy farmer turned heavy diesel agricultural technician Malone James wins trackside experience with Red Bull Ampol Racing as part of New Holland’s apprentice program.
Having worked his way up to 2IC at a dairy operation on the South Island, 26-year-old Malone James enjoyed the work but wanted something different from his day to day.
Spending days in and around machinery Malone developed a passion for primary industry heavy diesel agriculture and took a punt on an apprenticeship.
Never did he expect that by pursuing his passion he’d be recognised with a trackside experience with the Red Bull Ampol Racing pit crew during the Taupō Super 440 this past weekend.
The Supercars experience is part of New Holland’s apprenticeship program that recognises the exceptional contributions and work ethic of its service apprentices.
TransAg Centre’s Service Manager, Brian Lett, who is Malone’s supervisor, said the opportunity couldn’t have gone to a more deserving individual.
“His pathway to TransAg has been one of the most inspiring stories we’ve come across,” he said.
“Malone worked seven days a week at his dairy farm to accrue enough time off to go to Christchurch and get his prequalifying requisite to become an apprentice with us.
“He did everything off the back of his own merit, and continues to be a role model in the workshop.”
Malone’s obvious drive and aptitude to respond quickly and calming with challenges made him not only a phenomenal farmer, but has seen him develop quickly as an agricultural heavy diesel apprentice.
“Since being at TransAg, every job he has been allocated has been completed to a high standard of repair with no re-work,” Brian said.
“He is admired by his peers and fellow technicians and is always the first person to be asked to assist the senior technicians in the field. Malone is just one of those people who thinks about others before himself.”
National Parts and Service Manager, Gary Pertot, said that by connecting apprentices with the high-tech world of Supercars shows agricultural technology can be just as challenging and sophisticated as motorsport.
“This experience isn’t just watching the action trackside in the Red Bull Ampol kit, it’s a hands-on fully immersive weekend,” Gary said.
“Just as Supercars teams rely on precision engineering, advanced data analytics, and complex technological systems, today's agricultural professionals work with equally state-of-the-art machinery and technologies.
“The Supercars experience provides a tangible, exciting touchpoint for young people to understand that agricultural careers are about innovation, technology, and high-performance engineering.”
The challenge of the Taupō Super 440 was one that Malone was up for.
“I grew up on a dairy farm, but thought it was in my best interest to learn how to fix the machines I was using rather than just knowing how to operate them,” he said.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’d say New Holland has the most popular tractors in New Zealand based on reliability and price point. The machines really sell themselves, and at TransAg I really enjoy learning more about them.”
“When I was told that I was heading into Taupō 440 it was surreal. I didn’t expect the opportunity to be in the pit crew and was a little nervous, to be honest.”
“It was cool to look behind the scenes and understand the work that goes on to keep these cars going. We have some days in the workshop that are ‘go go go’, but this experience was next level.”
Over the weekend, Malone and the Red Bull Ampol team secured a 197-point lead in the pit lane.
Malone is one of six exceptional apprentice service technicians who will get to experience race day action at Supercars races across Australia and New Zealand this year thanks to New Holland's sponsorship of the Red Bull Ampol Racing team.