Competitive field set for TA2 Muscle Car Series season opener at Winton

The highly anticipated 2025 TFH Hire TA2 Muscle Car Series - presented by Maritimo is ready to roar into action this weekend as Round One kicks off at Winton Motor Raceway February 28-March 2, featuring a strong grid of 20 cars including a fresh lineup of talented rookies alongside seasoned drivers.

2025 marks a new chapter following the ownership transition in November 2024 when regular competitors Mark Crutcher, Graham Cheney, and Paul Hadley purchased both the TA2 series and supply arm PBR Distributions, while Matt MacKelden was appointed Category Manager after vastly experienced motorsport identity Craig Denyer announced his retirement. 

Super 2 stars Jarrod Hughes and Ben Gomersall will be joining the field this weekend, Gomersall fresh off his podium on debut at SMP last weekend, while 17-year-old Rookie Kiara Zabetakis also makes her national racing debut at the wheel of a Camaro. 

Series regulars Brad Gartner, Hayden Jackson, Michael Coulter, Mark Bailey, Des Collier and Josh Thomas all return for the season, as does the “Speedway Gang” of Robbie Farr, Danny Reidy, and Domain Ramsay. 

In addition to Zabetakis and Gomersall, young talents Diesel Thomas, Cameron Laws, Tom Davies, and James Simpson will also be making their debuts at the rural Victorian circuit. 

Tasmanian racer Josh Webster will also make his TA2 Muscle Car Series debut this weekend joining former Supercars Champion and NASCAR star Marcos Ambrose Motorsport in the return of Marcos Ambrose Motorsport to TA2 competition.

Matt Naulty will also join the series as lead commentator as all 4 races will be live and free to air across the weekend, another change from 2024. 

The series point score  will be split into 3 classes for the year featuring the PRO class for the experienced front runners, the Circo Master Class for the over 45’s, and the Rookie Class for the first year TA2 drivers.

The opening round of the TFH Hire TA2 Muscle Car Series - presented by Maritimo will feature four thrilling races over the weekend, taking place from February 28 to March 2. Fans can catch all the action live on SBS free to air, Fox Sports, and Kayo Sports. 

QUOTES

Graham Cheney, #51 IES Motorsport Chevrolet Camaro

“This year marks a new chapter for me after myself, Paul Hadley and Mark Crutcher have taken ownership of TA2 Racing Australia. There are two reasons for the category, one is to have fun and a good family atmosphere as well as making it grow to get more up and comers into the category to give them a pathway moving forward.”

“Heading into Winton this weekend I know we have a very good and capable team to look after the category so I can keep my head focused on my job which is to race the car.”

Brad Gartner, #22 Hi-Tec Oils Chevrolet Camaro 

“Going into Winton we definitely have the team and car behind us to be able to take home a championship. This is my third year racing these cars, and with all the experience we've gained, I feel we're in a great spot. I've had most of my success and wins at Winton Raceway, so I’m confident we have a solid chance this year.”

“After the crash at the Adelaide 500 last year, I got a brand-new car and chassis, which has given me a fresh start. Finishing in the top 5 at Winton would be incredible, especially since I've never finished a TA2 round one before. It’s important to keep things clean, as I want to enter the rest of the season without any worries. I’m really excited to get started.”

Jarrod Hughes, #118 Road Active Suspension Chevrolet Camaro 

“After last weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park in the Super 2 car, luck didn’t go our way and it was a hard pill to swallow, there was a lot of things that went wrong and I think that has given me a lot more eagerness heading into Winton this weekend.” 

“Although I'm not running the full TA2 Series this year, my aim is to win as many races as possible and bring home some trophies. If I said I was going there to not wanting to win that would be a lie. I’m going into Winton ready to do whatever it takes to come out on top.”

Entry List

#2 James Simpson, SP Tools, Dodge Challenger 

#4 Mark Crutcher, Crutcher Developments, Ford Mustang 

#5 Danny Reidy, Palm Desert Alice Springs, Chevrolet Camaro 

#7 Robbie Farr, Hi-Tec Oils, Chevrolet Camaro 

#11 Michael Coulter, Turps Tippers, Ford Mustang 

#12 Mark Bailey, Jax Tyres & Auto, Chevrolet Camaro 

#22 Brad Gartner, Hi-Tec Oils, Chevrolet Camaro

#23 Diesel Thomas, TFH Racing, Ford Mustang 

#29 Cameron Laws, The Racing Academy, Ford Mustang 

#35 Ben Gomersall, Unit Racing, Ford Mustang

#42 Tom Davies, Exchange Hotel Kilcoy, Ford Mustang

#50 Paul Hadley, IES Motorsport, Chevrolet Camaro

#51 Graham Cheney, IES Motorsport, Chevrolet Camaro 

#63 Des Collier, TFH Racing, Ford Mustang 

#71 Domain Ramsay, C & H Trucking, Chevrolet Camaro 

#81 Hayden Jackson, Team RSG, Dodge Challenger 

#121 Kiara Zabetakis, KRT Motorsport, Chevrolet Camaro 

#118 Jarrod Hughes, Road Active Suspension, Chevrolet Camaro 

#169 Josh Thomas, TFH Racing, Ford Mustang 

#200 Josh Webster, AutoFix, Ford Mustang 
 

Schedule

Friday 

10:05am Practice 1

1:15pm Practice 2

4:10pm Practice 3

Saturday 

9:25am Qualifying (20 mins)

1:35pm Race 1 (22 mins)

3:55pm Race 2 (23 mins)

Sunday 

9:45am Qualifying (20 mins)

1:05pm Race 3 (22 mins)

3:55pm Race 4 (23 mins)
 

Broadcast Details 

Saturday: 

Live Stream on the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series Facebook Page— 9:30am-1:00pm 

SBS on Demand Fox Sports, Kayo Sports - 1:00pm - 5:00pm 

Sunday: 

Live Stream on the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series Facebook Page - 9:30am - 1:00pm 

SBS Free to Air, Fox Sports, Kayo Sports - 1:00pm - 5:00pm