Newcomers join TA2 grid at Queensland Raceway

The TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek will heat up this weekend as the series commences the second half of its season with Round 4 at Queensland Raceway this weekend, headlining the Australian Motor Racing Series event.

A strong 20 car field will take to the track as the series welcomes an overseas guest driver this weekend in the form of Paul Manuell from New Zealand. Manuell is a two-time NZ V8 Ute Racing champion and the 2019 TA2 Asia Champion, and in 2020 was appointed as the importer for the growing New Zealand TA2 Series.

Manuell will steer a Dodge Challenger owned by Australian TA2 series founder Peter Robinson.

A new South Australian team will make its debut this weekend, with MVA Racing fielding two cars for South Australian drivers Brad Gartner and Lee Stibbs. Both Gartner and Stibbs are graduating from the popular entry-level Hyundai Excel class, with 18-year old Gartner having previous success in dirt karts, junior sedans and late model speedway cars.

Jett Johnson headlines the field and will be looking to consolidate his 65-point lead in the standings over Zach Loscialpo.

Round 2 winner Josh Haynes will be looking for a return of form after a challenging weekend at Winton as he works to return to the top 10 in the standings.

Pro class contenders James Simpson, Murray Kent, Dylan Thomas, Graham Cheney and Nick Lange also return to the grid this weekend.

Nicholas Bates and Mark Crutcher will continue their battle in the Circo Masters Class where Bates leads by 39 points. Manuell, Robinson, Beric Lynton, Mick Rowell, Jason Hassett, John Holinger, Paul Hadley and Warren Wadley complete the Masters contenders this weekend.

The TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek will have four 15-lap races this weekend. Track action kicks off on Friday for general practice, before Qualifying on Saturday at 10:35am followed by a Top 10 Shootout.

Sunday’s action will be livestreamed on the TA2 Racing Australia and AMRS facebook pages.

QUOTES

Brad Gartner, driver #22 Ford Mustang - SS Oysters/Mikes Beef Jerky

“We met Lee [Stibbs] through the Excel racing and he mentioned to me where he wanted to go with his racing and he mentioned TA2 and we were very keen for an opportunity to run in a team, so with Michael Vidau from MVA Racing and Lee as my team mate we’re keen to get started in TA2 Racing.

“We bought Chris Pappas’ old Mustang and I haven’t actually driven it yet, just watched a whole lot of videos on YouTube and social media to get the gist of it, so this weekend will be my first time out.

“They are such a high horse-powered car, left hand drive, h-pattern gearbox, it will be quite different to anything else I’ve driven before but I’m up for the challenge.

“It will also be my first time at Queensland Raceway,and first time in a professional team, so it will be quite a jump up from the Excel, that’s for sure!

“I always loved the cars, they’re loud, their big, they look like a real Mustang, Camaro and Dodge, they look like a Supercar and that’s obviously quite an attraction for a young kid wanting to go to the top.” 

“Lee and I went to the Tailem Bend round earlier this year and we met Pete, Dayna and the crew from TA2 and they were very welcoming and it looked like a great category to be a part of, so we can’t wait to hit the track this weekend.”

SCHEDULE 2022 TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek Northern Series, Round 2 - Queensland Raceway, June 25-26

Friday General Practice

Saturday Qualifying - 10:35am (15 minutes) Top 10 Shootout - 12:10pm Race 1 - 3:15pm (15 laps)

Sunday Race 2 - 10:10am (15 laps) Race 3 - 12:00pm (15 laps) Race 4 - 2:40pm (15 laps)

ENTRY LIST 2022 TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek Round 4 - Queensland Raceway, 19-21 August

MASTERS, #4 Mark Crutcher (NSW), Ford Mustang - Crutcher Developments MASTERS, #9 Warren Wadley (QLD), Ford Mustang - Wadley Property Group MASTERS, #10 Peter Robinson (QLD), Dodge Challenger - Wagner Corporation MASTERS, #15 Michael Rowell (QLD), Ford Mustang - Pacific Petroleum/Carroll Tyres PRO, #21 Zach Loscialpo (NSW), Chevrolet Camaro - Tempest Solutions PRO, #22 Brad Gartner (SA), Ford Mustang - SS Oysters/Mikes Beef Jerky MASTERS, #23 John Holinger (VIC), Chevrolet Camaro - Holinger Racing MASTERS, #24 Nicholas Bates (NSW), Ford Mustang - Nicholas Bates Motorsport MASTERS, #26 Jason Hassett (VIC), Chevrolet Camaro - Hass Racing PRO, #28 Lee Stibbs (SA), Ford Mustang - MVA Racing/Arrow Car Sales PRO, #37 Josh Haynes (NSW), Chevrolet Camaro - Elvin Group PRO, #48 Nick Lange, Chevrolet Camaro - Whitsundays Holiday Rentals MASTERS, #50 Paul Hadley (NSW), Chevrolet Camaro - Illawarra Engineering Services PRO, #51 Graham Cheney (NSW), Chevrolet Camaro - Illawarra Engineering Services PRO, #68 Dylan Thomas (NSW), Ford Mustang - CXC Racing MASTERS, #74 Murray Kent (QLD), Chevrolet Camaro - Fit Flask/Retro Motorsport MASTERS, #101 Paul Manuell (NZ), Dodge Challenger - Wagner Corp PRO, #117 Jett Johnson (QLD), Ford Mustang - NAPA Auto Parts MASTERS, #123 Beric Lynton, Ford Mustang - Bruce Lynton BM Service PRO, #782 James Simpson (QLD), Dodge Challenger - Seven82 Motors