CRUTCHER SEALS TA2 SOUTHERN TITLE

Following on from wrapping up the National Trans Am title over the weekend, Nathan Herne continued to dominate all three races at Mt Panorama Bathurst. Despite a lock up and near off road coming into the Chase, the Valvoline Dodge Challenger won by half a second over Tim Brook, Kyle Gurton and Edan Thornburrow. Ben Grice dropped back off the start, then had a race long dice with Mark Crutcher’s Mustang before passing him into Skyline, the two ran side-by-side through McPhillamy Park and into the braking area. Inspired by the chance of taking the PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Southern Series title, Crutcher rose to a new level in battling with Grice and finished a credible 6^th outright, sealing the TA2 title after three rounds from Sydney’s Zac Loscialpo and Michael Coulter. “Its been an awesome weekend, all the hard work and training has paid off and I couldn’t be happier. Thanks to Melissa, my son who is here today and all the team. It’s been a great weekend and I can’t believe I’m going home with the series trophy. If I can do it, anyone can so this should inspire many others to live their dream and have a go.” Crutcher said. Graham Cheney, Zac Loscialpo and Chris Formosa all finished in the Top 10 in the final race, Michael Coulter claimed 12th while Victoria’s Jason Hassett ticked his bucket list by finishing his first weekend at Bathurst in the Hass Pumps Camaro. Gold Coaster Matt MacKelden was involved in another nasty incident at the top of the mountain on Lap 6, causing the race to be declared under safety car. The Kubota Mustang had been rebuilt following his clash with team mate Hugh McAlister in Thursday’s race and had started from pit lane with cold tyres and brakes. Working his way through the pack, the car stepped out at the rear and slammed the wall hard on both sides of the track at Reid Park with heavy damage all around. MacKelden was taken to hospital for precautionary x-rays. Crutcher, from Young in NSW, wrapped up the TA2 Southern Series from Loscialpo, Coulter, Jason Hassett, Chris Formosa and Graham Cheney.  Sixteen year old Jett Johnson had already claimed the TA2 Northern Series at Queensland Raceway some weeks ago from Russell Wright and Chris Pappas. The 2022 TA2 Muscle Car Series calendar will be formally announced next week with the first round under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park in February.