Massive Field of TA2 Cars Set To Jet For The Easter Classic at Bathurst

A strong 41 car field of TA2 cars are set to tackle the Mount Panorama Circuit this weekend, divided between the Trico Trans Am Series and the TFH Hire TA2 Muscle Car Series Presented by Maritimo Luxury Yachts, the action will unfold from April 18-20 as part of the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour event. 

Following a thrilling Round one at Winton Motor Raceway, Road Active Suspension Chevrolet Camaro driver Jarrod Hughes heads into Round two leading the championship by 14 points over  Ben Gomersall who sits 43 points in front of Hi-Tec Oils driver Brad Gartner, who will sadly be absent from this weekend. 

20 year old Super 2 rookie Ayrton Hodson will make his TA2 Muscle Car Series debut this weekend in the Mustang formerly driven by TA2 Category Manager Matt MacKelden, arriving with momentum after claiming third overall in a TA2 Mustang in the NZ Super V8 class at Round three of the Supercars Championship at Taupo last weekend.

Dodge Challenger driver Hayden Jackson had a tough run at round one with constant mechanical issues, but is looking for better luck this weekend as he takes on double duties driving a Mazda RX8 in the 6 Hour production car enduro. 

High school students Kiara Zabetakis and Diesel Thomas will hit the track for the first time at Bathurst, with Zabetakis approaching the round with a fresh mindset after a challenging opener at Winton Raceway, and Thomas, the youngest driver in the field at just 16 years old, arrives with strong momentum following an impressive performance at the season opener that earned him the Rookie of the Round Award.

IES Motorsport driver Graham Cheney currently leads the Circo Master Class ahead of speedway legend Robbie Farr, who will be making his first appearance at the mountain this weekend. 

Warren Wadley makes his long-awaited return to the series back in the #88 Wadley Property Group Ford Mustang for the first time since 2022, while Aaron Prosser also returns in the #91 Security of Supply Group Ford Mustang.

Series regulars Josh Thomas, Des Collier, Mark Crutcher, Paul Hadley, Michael Coulter and Josh Webster will all return this weekend for round two.

The weekend schedule will kick off with one practice session on Friday, followed by two 15 minute qualifying sessions on Saturday morning which will set the grid for Race One at 1:05pm, with Race Two on Sunday morning at 9:55am. 

Saturday and Sunday’s action can be watched live and free on SBS One, simulcast on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.

QUOTES
Jarrod Hughes, #118 Road Active Suspension Chevrolet Camaro 

“Round One at Winton was obviously a great weekend for me, as I came close to a clean sweep and walked away with the championship lead. Heading into Bathurst, I’ve got high expectations, and I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got in the hopes of adding a few more trophies to the shelf.”

“Trans Am in Tasmania a few weeks ago didn’t quite go to plan, but with over 40 TA2 cars set to hit the mountain, I’m really looking forward to the challenge that Bathurst brings.”

Kiara Zabetakis, #121 KRT Motorsport Chevrolet Camaro 

“Winton wasn’t the ideal start to the season for me, but I’ve put that behind me and I’m heading into Bathurst with a fresh mindset. It’s one of the most iconic tracks in the world, and racing there has always been a dream of mine. I still can’t believe I get to live that dream this weekend.”

“I’ve set a few expectations for myself, but the main goal is to bring the car home in one piece, stay out of trouble, and make the most of the experience. At the end of the day, I just want to enjoy the weekend and soak it all in.”

Michael Coulter, #11 Turps Tippers Ford Mustang 

“I’m super excited to head back to the Bathurst for the first time since 2021, and to race at the mountain with some big supercar names like Hazelwood, Moffat and Golding is a pretty cool experience in itself for me.” 

“I am hoping to finish the weekend shiny side up, finish all the races and actually make it to the end. I am expecting safety cars galore, as we have a few rookies in the field that have never been to Bathurst before, but overall I can’t wait to get into it on Friday.”

ENTRY LIST

#4 Mark Crutcher, Crutcher Development's, Ford Mustang 

#11 Michael Coulter, Turps Tippers, Ford Mustang

#18 Diesel Thomas, TFH Racing, Ford Mustang

#32 Ayrton Hodson, Eyespy Security Australia, Ford Mustang 

#35 Ben Gomersall, Unit Racing/TFH Racing, Ford Mustang

#50 Paul Hadley, IES Motorsport, Chevrolet Camaro 

#51 Graham Cheney, IES Motorsport, Chevrolet Camaro 

#63 Des Collier, TFH Racing, Ford Mustang 

#69 Josh Thomas, TFH Racing, Ford Mustang 

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

#81 Hayden Jackson, Team RSG, Dodge Challenger 

#88 Warren Wadley, Wadley Property Group, Ford Mustang 

#91 Aaron Prosser, Security of Supply Group, Ford Mustang

#118 Jarrod Hughes, Road Active Suspension, Chevrolet Camaro 

#121 Kiara Zabetakis, KRT Motorsport, Chevrolet Camaro 

#200 Josh Webster, AutoFix, Ford Mustang 

SCHEDULE 

Friday 

Practice 1 - 12:15pm 

Saturday 

Qualifying - 10:20am

Race 1 - 1:05am

Sunday

Race 2 - 9:55am

BROADCAST 

Saturday 

SBS Free to Air, Fox Sports, Kayo Sports

Sunday 

SBS Free to Air, Fox Sports, Kayo Sports