The TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series is an Australian motor racing category using TA2 class cars associated with the American Trans-Am racing series. It is the featured category at all rounds of the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series, an annual motor racing series held at various tracks in eastern Australia. The category is managed by TA2 Racing Australia, a company associated with the distributors of the Howe Racing chassis in Australia, and sanctioned by the Australian Auto Sport Alliance.
 | |
| Category | Sports car racing |
|---|---|
| Country |  Australia |
| Inaugural season | 2017 |
| Drivers | 26 |
| Teams | 24 |
| Constructors | Howe Racing Enterprises |
| Engine suppliers | GM LS3 |
| Tyre suppliers | Hoosier |
| Drivers' champion | Dylan Thomas |
| Teams' champion | CXC Racing |
| Official website | www.ta2racingaustralia.com |
 Current season | |
It is one of two Australian national-level racing series featuring TA2-class cars; the other is the Australian National Trans-Am Series. While run independently, both series feature identical cars.
History
editThe category was established after driver and businessman Peter Robinson imported a Howe Racing Enterprises TA2-spec vehicle, with the intention of competing in the National Sports Sedan Series. According to Robinson and colleague Craig Harris, they thought the relatively low purchase and operating cost, and the good performance of the vehicle made it a good basis for a one-make racing series.[1]
In 2020, racing promotor ARG licensed the rights to the Trans-Am trademarks in Australia.[2] However, an agreement between ARG and TA2 Racing Australia fell through,[3] and TA2 Racing Australia opted to continue running the category as part of the AASA-sanctioned "Australian Motor Racing Series" (in 2024, branded as the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series).
ARG subsequently set up their own series based on the same cars, the Australian National Trans-Am Series.
The 2020 and 2021 series were affected by the global Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, due to competitors being unable to travel between Australian states due to quarantine restrictions, two separate titles were awarded, a northern and southern series.
Cars
editThe TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series is a spec series using identical spaceframe chassis[1] built by Howe Racing Enterprises and using a modified GM LS3 engine. Most components are controlled, must be purchased from the vehicle's Australian distributor, and cannot be modified.
The cars may use one of three fibreglass bodies resembling the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, or Dodge Challenger; regardless of the car body, the underlying chassis and engines are the same.
Meeting format
editThe championship has generally been held over approximately six rounds. Of these rounds, most have three or four sprint races of approximately 20–30 minutes duration.
After a free practice session on the Friday of a race meeting, starting order for the first race of most race meetings is determined by a qualifying session.[4] Starting order for subsequent races is determined by the finishing order in the immediately previous race.
In 2023 and 2024, one “enduro round” per season was held featuring a race of approximately one hour in length, with the option of a co-driver.[5]
Unlike many circuit racing series in Australia, this series features "rolling starts" where the cars form up in grid order (in two rows) behind a safety car for a formation lap before commencing racing.
Media coverage
editThe 2024 series is broadcast on SBS, through subscription TV providers Fox Sports (Australia) and Kayo Sports, and an extended livestream covering some practice and qualifying sessions as well as races on YouTube and SBS On Demand.[6]
The series is covered by specialist motor racing publications including Auto Action and SpeedCafe.
Champions
edit| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Third place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Russell Wright | Anthony Tenekate | Craig Harris |
| 2018 | Ashley Javis | Hugh McAlister | Russell Wright |
| 2019 | Aaron Seton | George Miedecke | Ashley Jarvis |
| 2020 | John McLaughlin | Murray Kent | Michael Kulig |
| 2021 | Jett Johnson (Northern Series) / Mark Crutcher (Southern series) | Russell Wright / Zach Loscialpo | Chris Pappas / Michael Coulter |
| 2022 | Jett Johnson | Graham Cheney | Nicholas Bates |
| 2023 | Dylan Thomas | Josh Haynes | Jackson Rice |
References
edit- ^ a b McAlpine, heath (11 January 2017). "TA2 has hit Australia and soon, their 21st century Trans Am V8s could be everywhere…". Auto Action. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ Williams, Bruce (9 January 2020). "ARG Lands Agreement With Trans Am". Auto Action.
- ^ Williams, Bruce. "TA2 Muscle Cars Split With ARG". Auto Action. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ "2023 Technical Rules & Sporting Regulations" (PDF). TA2 Racing and Muscle Cars series. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ "Young guns win AC Delco Tag Team Enduro". TA2 Racing. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ^ "Watch". Hi-Tex Oils Super Series. Archived from the original on 16 March 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.