‘Get things done’ attitude earns Warracknabeal apprentice Sandown 500 Supercars experience

Warracknabeal agricultural apprentice, Jamie Eckermann swapped tractors for the trackside last week, joining the Red Bull Ampol Racing Team pit crew at the 2025 Penrite Oil Sandown 500—a once in a lifetime experience through New Holland’s apprentice program that recognises the exceptional contributions and work ethic of its apprentices.

Growing up on his family’s cropping enterprise, Jamie was surrounded by agricultural machinery from an early age, inspiring him to pursue a career as an agricultural technician.  

His ‘get things done’ attitude, attention to detail, and passion for machinery saw the third-year agricultural apprentice with O’Connors Warracknabeal selected for the  Supercars experience.

“Being a part of the Redbull pit was unreal,” Jamie said.

“It was so different from what you see on TV, the rush of seeing how the team worked together when everything is so fast paced was amazing.

“It kind of felt like harvest season repairs with everything happening all at once and you’ve really got to be on top of everything to get the job done quick.”

O’Connors Warracknabeal Branch Manager, Jason Schilling, said Jamie’s work ethic and enthusiasm was setting him up for a successful career in the agricultural industry.

“Jamie started as a school-based apprentice technician in 2022 then transitioned into full-time work, and he’s continued to thrive,” Jason said.

Jason said Jamie integrated seamlessly into the team and continues to contribute as a valued and respected member of the organisation.

New Holland National Parts and Service Manager, Gary Pertot, said the apprentice program was designed to highlight the advanced technology and innovation behind modern agricultural careers. 

“Today’s agricultural machinery is every bit as sophisticated as the technology used in Supercars,” Gary said.

Jamie is one of six exceptional apprentice service technicians who will 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. 

O’Connors own and operate 15 Case IH dealerships across Victoria, NSW and SA and are part of the Global machinery dealer group, Titan Machinery.

In August 2025, O’Connors acquired the New Holland dealerships in Swan Hill and Warracknabeal previously operated by Bellevue Machinery.