Fourth Generation racer James Simpson has announced his return the to the TA2 Muscle Car Series after suffering one of the most violent accidents seen in the recent history of the category.

James made contact with Ben Grice while competing in the Trans Am event at Symmons Plains in 2023 which resulted in a roll over and some physical damage but said he and the car are now ready to take on the challenge of the entire 2025 TFH TA2 Muscle Car Series.

“Despite what happened in Tassie, TA2’s are still the best bang for buck race cars in the country and while I’ve been competing in the Hyundai Excel Series in the last year, I can resist the temptation to get back in the Dodge and have a red hot crack,” said Simpson.

“The 2025 calendar suited what we want to do this year, especially the two driver event at Queensland Raceway in August so when we sat down to the do the numbers and put a program together, it all fell in to place and we’re super excited for Winton to roll around.”

Simpson will be engineered by multiple Touring Car Masters and V8 Ute Racing Championship winning engineer Rod Dawson who said that after 20 plus years of a family relationship with the Simpsons engineering James was like coming home.

“I’ve known, driven with and engineered most of the Simpson family over the years so to now be in James’s corner with Ian and Michael feels very special and I can’t wait to get started,” said Dawson.

“The TA2 platform is a really exciting product which I’ve been watching closely over the last few years and the category has a lot of momentum at the moment so James will need to be at his best to be competitive but for all of us, Winton cant come soon enough.”

The TA2 Muscle Car Series kicks off at Winton Motor Raceway on Feb 28^th to March 1^st and will feature as the premier category on the Hi-Tech Oils Super Series. You can catch all the action Free To Air on SBS Viceland, or simulcast on Kayo and Fox Sports.

Erebus Co Driver Jarrod Hughes, and Triple Eight Race Engineering Super 2 driver Ben Gomersall have both signalled their intent to compete in the TFH TA2 Muscle Car Series in 2025, as both drivers step up their programs in an effort to gain more track time and experience.

With six rounds in Super 2 and seven in the TA2 Muscle Car Series both drivers in theory can double the amount of racing laps and gain plenty of experience in places like Mt Panorma and Queensland Raceway which Hughes said was invaluable particularly as he prepares for his maiden endurance campaign with Erebus.

“You can never have too many laps under your belt when it comes to preparation and the TA2 technical platform is a pretty nice way to keep sharp,” said Hughes.

‘These cars in some ways react not unlike a Gen 3 Supercar as they’re high horsepower, low aero and move around underneath you so when we sat down to decide how we would get better prepared for 2025, TA2 was the natural fit.”

Gomersall will compete in the TA2 series with the blessing of his Triple Eight Race Engineering Team and will be competing with 2025 Trans Am Champions “TFH Racing” which Gomersall said was a key to his commitment in 2025.

“We spoke to Wes McDougal at Triple Eight and he said TA2 and TFH Racing was the best place to go so we reached out to Brett Thomas (TFH Racing), he said he could get Josh Haynes 2024 Championship winning car, and we did a deal pretty quickly,” said Gomersall.

“I’ve only done a few laps so far and was totally surprised at how good the cars are and how much fun they are to drive so now I can’t wait to get to Winton and give it a crack.”

TA2 Category Manager Matt MacKelden said he was pleased and excited that both Jarrod and Ben had elected to join the series and hoped that both get a lot from the experience.

“The TA2 technical platform is fast becoming a vehicle of choice for those who are preparing for a career in Supercars and I hope both Jarrod and Ben gain a lot from their time with us”, said MacKelden. 

“It doesn’t matter whether you want to race in the TA2 Championship or Trans Am Championship, the TA2 technical platform allows you to do that, so I expect we’ll see more young competitors join either series in the years to come.”

The 2025 TFH TA2 Muscle Car Series will be contested over seven rounds beginning at Winton Motor Raceway on Feb 28^th to March 2^nd. All the action can be seen live and Free To Air on SBS Viceland or Simulcast on Kayo and Fox Sports.

Experienced motorsport commentator Matt Naulty has been confirmed as the lead caller for the TA2 Muscle Car Series and the Australian Production Car Series in 2025, as part of the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series.

To be heard and seen on Foxtel, Kayo and SBS this year, the broadcast of the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series is taking a step up, recruiting Naulty’s immense expertise to the coverage.

Naulty’s voice needs no introduction to race fans. The South Australian broadcaster has more than 20 years experience as a specialised motorsport caller, including disciplines such as circuit racing, speedway and drag racing.

He also has spent time abroad to call motorsport, namely Stadium Trucks where he has been heard as the lead caller both here in Australia and the United States.

This season also marks the 12th year of his service as a Supercars support commentator.

Naulty will be joined by regular Hi-Tec Oils Super Series caller Matt Cavanagh, who will sit in the commentary box with Naulty for TA2 Muscle Cars and Australian Production Cars. Cavanagh has an extensive history in a variety of motorsport disciplines, including recent seasons in the Super Series.

Both the TA2 Muscle Cars and Australian Production Cars will host five events during 2025, with the categories sharing the same five events within the series’ six round schedule.

The opening round of the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series, including TA2 Muscle Cars and Australian Production Cars, will be held at Winton Motor Raceway on February 28 to March 2.

QUOTES:

Matt Naulty, TA2 Muscle Car Series Commentator

“I’m excited to be a part of the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series, leading the call for both TA2 Muscle Cars and the Australian Production Cars,” said Naulty.

“I’ve been very impressed with TA2 over the past couple of years. Big V8s, famous car brands and some great personalities behind the wheel. It’s a fantastic category and it’s my type of racing.

“The racing in Production Cars was great in 2024 and they should grow further in 2025 as we have seen with the Bathurst 6 Hour momentum.

“I’m pleased to add the APC to my schedule as it has a wide variety of cars and some great drivers - both up and coming plus the experienced household names that should make for some great racing.

“Along with my commitments with the Supercars support series this year, this fills up my dance card and I can’t wait to get back behind the microphone.”

Matt MacKelden, TA2 Muscle Car Series Category Manager
“Matt is one of the premier race commentators in the country and we couldn’t be more pleased to have him bring the TA2 action into the lounge rooms of our fans,” said MacKelden.

“Matt is well known for his work in Supercars, Speedway, Drag Racing and even Trans Am so adding TA2 Racing and the Australian Production Cars to his roster is a win for both our categories.”

Troy Williams, Australian Production Cars
“It is a new era for the Australian Production Cars, and it’s fantastic to have Matt Naulty on the ride with us,” said Williams.

“Any modern motorsport fan knows his voice and his calling style. He makes you want to sit down and watch more, so we are thrilled to have such a professional be there to offer his talents to our broadcasts in 2025.”

17-year-old Kiara Zabetakis is set to make history in 2025 as the first female driver to compete in the Australian TA2 Muscle Car Series, marking an exciting development in both Kiara’s career and the series itself.
 
Zabetakis has already made her mark in the motorsport world, with experience across a variety of racing categories including NSW MX-5 Cup, NSW Road Club Racing 6 Hour Enduro Event and the RX8 Cup Series but admits that stepping up to the TA2 Muscle Car Series is a big jump but one she’s ready to take.
 
“Dad and I have been talking about this for a long time now, and we’re just excited to get to Winton and get underway,” said Zabetakis.
 
“Theres no doubt these cars are far more powerful than anything Ive driven before, but we’ve been testing a lot and I feel really comfortable.”
 
2018 TA2 Muscle Car Series Champion Ash Jarvis will be guiding the 17 year old and said he’s been impressed by her early pace and maturity.
 
“Kiara has shown definite improvement over the last few test days and has a mature head on her shoulders so while there is no pressure on her, I think she’ll adjust to the competition really well,” said Jarvis.
 
The TA2 Muscle Car Series is poised to make a big step up in 2025 with new ownership and management, a new TV commentator in Matt Naulty and an influx of new competitors which new series Category Manager Matt MacKelden said was exciting and made for the perfect time for Zabetakis to make her debut.
 
“We’re over the moon to welcome Kiara and can’t wait to watch her career progress;” said MacKelden.
 
“I’ve met her and her father a few times now and its clear she is a focused young person who has one goal in her mind and  that’s to make a career as a racing driver.”
 
Despite the challenges that lie ahead, Zabetakis is determined to prove herself in the series and continue her development as a driver. 2018 championship winner Ashley Jarvis will be guiding Kiara through her first full season and is confident that her work ethic, determination, and racecraft will serve her well in her first full season of TA2 competition.

The 2025 TFH Hire TA2 Muscle Car Series kicks off with Round 1 at Winton Motor Raceway February 28-March 2 live on SBS,Fox Sports and Kayo Sports. 

The 2025 TFH Hire TA2 Muscle Car Series - framed by HYTEK Steel Framing has officially revealed its calendar, featuring seven rounds at some of Australia’s most iconic circuits.

The 2025 season will see the TA2 Muscle Car Series again headline six rounds of the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series, including Winton Motor Raceway (February 28th-March 2nd), Sydney Motorsport Park (May 30th-June 1st), Queensland Raceway 2 Days of Thunder (June 27-29), Queensland Raceway (August 15th-17th), Mallala Raceway (September 26-28) and Winton Motor Raceway (October 31 - November 2) 

Adding to the excitement, the TA2 Muscle Car Series will join the National Trans Am Series for a combined grid at the legendary Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour from April 18th-20th, treating fans to a spectacular display of V8-powered racing at Mount Panorama.

The calendar also highlights a first-time appearance at Mallala Motorsport Park South Australia, September 27-29, marking a significant return of national-level racing to the South Australian circuit. 

The TA2 Muscle Car Series will also feature another two-driver event at Queensland Raceway’s August 15^th to 17^th meeting, following the precedence set with Darwin in 2023 and Tailem Bend 2024, as well as returning to Sydney Motorsport Park racing under lights for a mid-season event. 

The final round of the 2025 TFH Hire Muscle Car Series - framed by HYTEK Steel Framing will return to Winton Motor Raceway October 31 - November 2. 

Each round will feature streaming and television coverage, with at least 8 hours live on SBS Speedweek from each Hi-Tec Super Series round, simulcast on Fox Sports and Kayo.

The new owner’s group, headed by regular TA2 competitor Mark Crutcher is excited about the year ahead.

QUOTES

Matt MacKelden, Category Manager - TA2 Muscle Car Series
“This calendar represents what our drivers, new owners and corporate partners want, which was a combination of fast flowing circuits plus some shorter, more technical venues and a Free To Air Television package, and I think we’ve delivered that. Like all racing categories, television is very important so a combination of both Hi-Tech Oil Super Series, plus the Bathurst 6 Hour with Trans Am will provide great value to our drivers, their sponsors and our corporate partners.”

Mark Crutcher, Series Co-Owner and driver - #4 Crutcher Developments Ford Mustang
“We have been working very hard to finalise a calendar which offers the right balance on some of the great tracks in Australia, plus adding new events such as Mallala and the Bathurst 6 Hour. Joining Trans AM at Mt Panorama will deliver a fantastic field and a great spectacle, plus supporting George Gambino’s Hi-Tec Oils Super Series as the headline act for all other rounds gives our teams a great platform to benefit from live free to air  media coverage.”