CXC Racing’s Dylan Thomas has claimed the 2023 TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek after a dramatic season finale at Calder Park Raceway won by rookie AC Delco Mustang driver Jarrod Hughes.

After a fifth place finish in Race 1 on Friday, Thomas placed fifth, seventh and sixth to secure his first national championship win by 18 points over Beaches SeaDoo Mustang driver Josh Haynes.

It wasn’t with our hardship, with the CXC Racing team having to repair Thomas’ Mustang after a brush with the wall on the front straight during a warm up session in the early afternoon to assess driving conditions during the torrential conditions in the morning.

Race 2 saw TFH Hire Services Mustang driver Nash Morris lead the field away after his win in Race 1. Hughes took the lead from Morris on Lap 2, and gapped the field by eight seconds to score his maiden TA2 win in only his second solo start. Baccus Marsh Motorsport Mustang driver Brad Gartner charged from ninth to third, before getting by Morris with two laps to go to finish second, earning the Hyperco Hard Charger Award for his efforts alongside Mark Crutchers’ charge from 18th to 11th.

Hughes went back to back in Race 3 with a lights to flag win over Gartner. Morris held second for the whole race until Gartner dove down the inside of Morris at Turn 6 as the pair negotiated lapped traffic down the back straight.

Race 4 got off to a chaotic start when Lee Stibbs spun at Turn 3 on the opening lap, before he was collected by Russell Wright and Greg Keam. The race was red flagged to recover Wright’s stricken Mustang, before the race restarted with a four lap dash to the flag. Jackson Rice jumped to second off the restart, but later spun out and finished back in tenth, while Hayden Jackson stormed from fifth to third ahead of championship runner-up Josh Haynes who claimed the Wilwood Big Breaker Award.

Hughes also took home the Bowden’s Best Presented Award in the AC Delco Mustang, as well as the Racetech Rookie of the Round.

The championship winners will be officially crowned at the 2023 TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek and HiTec Oils Super Series Awards Night on Sunday 3 December.

QUOTES

Dylan Thomas, #68 CXC Ford Mustang, 2023 TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek Champion

"This is definitely pretty special. ever since I put it in the wall this morning in that warm up session in the wet the guts have been pretty tight. 

“We had a pretty cruisy weekend, we didn't have to do a lot so when I put it in the wall it actually brought the intensity up. 

“We put the championship together throughout the whole year and Josh Haynes and Jackson Rice were awesome all year, credit to those guys."

Jarrod Hughes, #118 AC DELCO Ford Mustang 

"We were not expecting any of this at all, I am speechless, it is awesome. I can't thank everyone who has supported me enough. The TA2 team has given me the opportunity to do this, it is very cool. 

“I have to thank Tony Sewell he has been the brains behind it all, I can't thank him enough as well as all the people from AC Delco as well as all my other supporters, this is pretty cool.”

TFH Hire Services Ford Mustang driver Nash Morris scored the first ever TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek race win at Calder Park Raceway, 22 years after his father Paul won the final Supercars race at the venue.

Morris scored his fourth career PWR Pole Award in the Top 10 Shootout, besting debutant Jarrod Hughes in the AC Delco Ford Mustang by four tenths of a second.

Morris lead Hughes away from the start, before a safety car was called on Lap 5 after Peter Robinson spun and hit the concrete wall on the exit of Turn 5.

The race resumed on Lap 10 with three laps to go, as Morris fended off a fast-finishing Hughes to the finish.

Dream Racing Australia’s Jackson Rice hustled Josh Haynes for the whole race, but it was Haynes who closed the gap to series leader Dylan Thomas with a third place finish, while Thomas finished fifth in the CXC Racing Mustang closely behind Rice.

Nicholas Bates won the Circo Masters Class ahead of Russell Wright and Kubota Racing’s Matt MacKelden.

Haynes closed the gap from 24 points to 20 to Thomas for the championship lead, with Thomas on 1078 points and Haynes 1058, with 180 points up for grabs heading into the final day of the season.

The TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek returns for Race 2 at 12:45pm AEDT, Race 3 at 4:58pm and Race 4 at 7:22pm at Calder Park Raceway. Saturday’s action can be viewed online with a livestream from 11am - 3:30pm, before it is live and free on SBS from 4pm - 8pm, simulcast on Fox Sports and Kayo.

QUOTES

Nash Morris, #111 TFH Hire Services Ford Mustang

“I treat every race meeting the same, I always want to go out there and do my best. The car feels good, the team and myself are very happy, so we will go out there tomorrow and hopefully win some more races." 

"I had my student Jarrod Hughes from Norwell, I reckon I have taught him so well, he is doing a very good job for his first race in the category so it's good to see him up there with coming in second.”

ACDelco backs Ford Mustang in TA2 Muscle Car Racing Series ACDelco, one of the most recognised names in the automotive parts world, has long been associated with GM and Holden vehicles when, in reality, offers an extensive range of quality parts for most makes and models.
The brand has been promoting this fact in recent years through sponsorship of drivers and their teams in multiple race series, including Toyota TGRA 86 and the 2023 Championship winning Isuzu DMax SuperUte of Aaron Borg.

In a new development, ACDelco has now expanded its most makes messaging by providing support to a TA2 Ford Mustang in this weekend's round of the Muscle Car series at Calder Park.

Young driver and ACDelco ambassador, Jarrod Hughes, (who has just finished two seasons in the Toyota 86 Series, finishing 1st in 2022 and 5th in 2023), will pilot the car in what will be the final round of the season.

TA2 is one of the fastest growing motorsport categories in Australia, with over 120 cars in the country. It’s all about fast, tough and noisy ‘turnkey’ race cars, fully controlled in all aspects on a single chassis/ Chevrolet Performance LS crate engine and gearbox combination with current Mustang, Camaro and Dodge Challenger bodies.

Today’s announcement coincides with news that, for the 2024 season and beyond, the TA2 series will source its powertrain requirements directly from GM’s Chevrolet Performance Parts division.

Jarrod Hughes is eager to get into the ACDelco Ford Mustang TA2 Muscle Car and, after showing good early test results during practice at Calder last week, go head-to-head with the series leaders.

ACDelco Parts Direct is the brand’s new online store, and the extensive catalogue is available for a wide range of automotive parts, including filters, wipers, chemicals, spark plugs, brakes and power tools.

There are items to suit vehicles as diverse as 4x4s, SUVs, passenger cars and even light trucks, with parts available for everyone to purchase regardless of whether a trade or DIY retail customer.

Check out the ACDelco auto parts range available and make an online order at: acdelcopartsdirect.com.au

QUOTES

“ACDelco are a great brand to work with, they are well respected and trusted in the professional auto trade, and one of my jobs to help convey the message that ACDelco is a most makes, most models brand by racing non-GM cars,” said Jarrod.

The new Mustang isn’t the only ACDelco branding trackside this weekend, with an original ACDelco sign from the 90’s still visible at the Calder Park Thunderdome. “ACDelco has been associated with Holden vehicles and racing since the late 1960s” said Chris Payne General Manager Marketing ACDelco.

“Back in the day, ACDelco would never have been associated with Ford, but times have changed and the TA2 Mustang is a great way to communicate the most makes ACDelco message,” he added.

 The TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by HYTEK Steel Framing has come down to the wire with three drivers in the hunt for the 2023 championship heading into the final round this weekend, 30 November - 2 December at the re-birthed Calder Park Raceway. 

Heading into the final round, CXC Racing Ford Mustang driver, Dylan Thomas holds a 24 point lead over driver Josh Haynes in the #37 Beaches Sea Doo Ford Mustang. Jackson Rice who is also in title contention for the 2023 championship sits 14 points behind Josh Haynes in third, with 240 points up for grabs this weekend.

Super 2 Series driver Nash Morris is set to join a strong 19 car field this weekend joining with Trans Am driver Joshua Thomas in his second TFH Hire Services Ford Mustang, which was recently purchased from Robert Leonard. 

Toyota 86 front-runner Jarrod Hughes is set to make his solo TA2 Muscle Car Series debut in an AC Delco-backed Ford Mustang. Hughes previously paired up with Hayden Jackson back in May for Darwin’s King of the North enduro where they had a strong run, finishing 9th in the points.

Brett Niall will make the journey over from Perth, returning in the #54 Chevrolet Camaro with Dream Racing Australia at Calder Park. 

Lee Stibbs will make his comeback this weekend in the #66 Arrow Financial Services Chev Camaro for MVA Racing. Stibbs last raced at Darwin’s King of the North enduro round back in May.

Gunnedah’s Greg Keam has his eyes on the $2000 Race Tech Rookie of the Year Prize while fellow competitor Hayden Hume will miss out on this weekend’s round in the #45 Total Parts Plus Dodge Challenger. 

Reigning Circo Masters Class champion Nicholas Bates is looking to defending his title this weekend 189 points ahead of IES Motorsport driver Paul Hadley and Mark Crutcher, who is back in the Crutcher Developments Ford Mustang this weekend, after not competing at Sydney Motorsport Park due to being overseas. 

Russell Wright, Brad Gartner, Matt MacKelden, Hayden Jackson, Michael Coulter and Peter Robinson will round out the field for the grand finale of the 2023 TA2 Muscle Car Series. 

The TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by HYTEK Steel Framing will have four races across the weekend at Calder Park. Friday will feature qualifying, a top 10 shootout and race one while Saturday will feature three races with a 30-minute final going into the twilight. The series champions will be crowned at the Hi-Tec Oils Gala Awards presentation Sunday night at Essendon Fields.

Catch all of Saturday’s action live streamed from 1pm AEDT on the TA2 Racing Australia, Hi-Tec Oils and Speedcafe Facebook pages, as well as live and free to air from 6pm on SBS on Demand, Simulcast on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports, plus replayed Sunday afternoon Dec 10 on SBS Speedweek programme.

QUOTES: 

Dylan Thomas, #68 CXC Racing Ford Mustang 

“Going into the final round of the TA2 Muscle Car Series at Calder Park I am very excited to be leading the championship. This is a track no one has raced at before so everyone is on the same plain field. 

"We just have to keep doing what we have been doing throughout the whole year, which is keep up with the consistency and stay out of trouble. At the end of the day we are in the best position over anybody.

"I am heading into Calder Park with the intention of getting a few podium results on that top step. We will put our best foot forward and the championship will take care of itself.” 

Josh Haynes, #37 Beaches Sea Doo Ford Mustang

“It’s all to play for this weekend, the Beaches Seadoo team have worked hard all year. We’ve had the pace but have been unlucky with a few things throughout the year, but we’re coming into this round pretty confident of putting on a strong performance.

“The track is really cool, quite bumpy coming into Turn 1 and a few corners which makes it pretty technical, but it’s amazing to return to a track with so much history.

“Ultimately the goal is to stay consistent and finish each race as well as we can. There’s four races to go and anything can happen, so we’ll put our best foot forward and take on the challenge.”

ENTRY LIST

#4 Mark Crutcher, Crutcher Developments, Ford Mustang

#7 Jackson Rice, Ruffnuts, Ford Mustang

#10 Peter Robinson, B Styled for Life, Dodge Challenger

#11 Michael Coulter, Kobelco Motorsport, Chevrolet Camaro

#13 Greg Keam, Debeers Refinish, Ford Mustang

#22 Brad Gartner, Castec Rural Supplies, Ford Mustang

#24 Nicholas Bates, Bates Motorsport, Ford Mustang

#37 Josh Haynes, Beaches Seadoo, Ford Mustang

#50 Paul Hadley, IES Motorspot, Chevrolet Camaro

#51 Graham Cheney, IES Motorsport, Chevrolet Camaro

#54 Brett Niall, Dream Racing Australia, Chevrolet Camaro

#55 Russell Wright, Wright Property Investments, Ford Mustang

#66 Lee Stibbs, Arrow Financial Services, Chevrolet Camaro 

#68, Dylan Thomas, CXC Racing, Ford Mustang

#69 Joshua Thomas, TFH Hire Services, Ford Mustang

#81 Hayden Jackson, Team RSG/MGW, Dodge Challenger

#99 Matt MacKelden, Kubota Racing, Ford Mustang

#111 Nash Morris, TFH Hire Services, Ford Mustang

#118 Jarrod Hughes, ACDELCO, Ford Mustang

SCHEDULE

THURSDAY

12:10pm Practice 1 (20 minutes)

2:30pm Practice 2 (20 minutes)

3:50pm Practice 3 (20 minutes)

FRIDAY

10:15am Practice 4 (20 minutes)

12:20pm Qualifying (20 minutes)

2:20pm Top 10 Shootout 

4:35 Race 1 (15 laps)

SATURDAY

12:45pm Race 2 (15 laps)

4:58pm Race 3 (15 laps)

7:22pm Race 4 (30 minutes)

BROADCAST DETAILS 

Live stream  from 1pm- 5:30pm AEDT on the TA2 Racing Australia, Hi-Tec Oils Super Series and Speedcafe Facebook Pages. 

Live and free to air TV from 6pm - 9pm AEDT on SBS on Demand, simulcast on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports. 

A two round Trans-Tasman Challenge for TA2 Muscle cars will be held in February next year at Euromarque Motorsport Park in Christchurch and Tony Quinns Highlands International Motorsport Park circuit at Cromwell, near Queenstown, both in New Zealand’s South Island.  It’s expected up to eight Australian competitors will cross the ditch to join the NZ TA2 Muscle car field at the Lady Wigram Trophy event at Christchurch February 9/11, and the New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands International Motorsport Park February 16/18. Both events will be televised by Sky Sport New Zealand and Fox Sports/Kayo Australia.

This will be the first time TA2 Muscle Cars will race as a stand-alone category on what will be two of New Zealand’s premiere race meetings.

TA2 regulars Mark Crutcher, Paul Hadley, Graham Cheney, Anthony Tenkate, Peter Robinson, Greg Keam and current series leader Dylan Thomas have already signed up for the Challenge, joining the field of eight TA2 cars already racing in New Zealand’s Super V8 series. 

New Zealand competitors include demolition expert Peter Ward, well known in racing circles on both sides of the Pacific, along with ex NZV8 Utes Champion Brett Rudd and Muscle Car regulars, Steve Ross, Andrew Turner, Andrew Sinclair, Maurice Shapley with the ex-speedway Racer John Roberts rounding out the Kiwi line up with 2 cars.  Former NZ V8 Ute Champion Paul Manuell, who partnered Nathan Herne to a podium in this year’s TA2 King of the North event in Darwin, distributes the TA2 PBR spec cars  and components in New Zealand and will service the category at both events.

For TA2 founder Peter Robinson, it will be a return to his home country, and he’s just purchased Nathans Herne’s front running Dodge Challenger for the trip with the intention of leaving it in New Zealand for future events.

Gary Lathrope, category administrator for the NZ TA2 Muscle Car Series is excited about the growth and development of TA2 as a main stream V8 touring car series for NZ fans.

 TA2 National Category Manager Craig Denyer is also excited about the potential for future events in New Zealand. 

 Quotes:

Craig Denyer, TA2 Muscle Car Series Australia Category Manager 

“This 2-Round series is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and enthralling in NZ Motorsport to launch TA2 racing in New Zealand and rekindle the Trans-Tasman motorsport rivalry embedded in the DNA of New Zealand and Australia motor racing history.  Gary and Paul Manuell have done a great job in pulling these two events together and we’re looking forward to welcoming all the NZ competitors to the TA2 family. The LADY WIGRAM Trophy event at Christchurch is a major New Zealand motor racing title, having previously been won by Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss, Bruce McLaren, Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark, Frank Matich and Graham McRae, plus Highlands International Motorsport Park is a stunning layout for the New Zealand International Grand Prix round  - all our drivers will love the experience of competing at such two high profile events and  again this our chance to prove again why New Zealand has only had one Formula One world champion and Australia has had two. Kiwis versus the Aussies Bring it on”

Gary Lathrope, NZ TA2 Muscle Car Series Category Administrator

“This is an important step in our strategy to develop TA2 NZ as one of the primary V8 touring car series. The feedback from both competitors and fans is this is the best bang for buck around and the potential for ongoing Trans-Tasman events in NZ and Australia gives unlimited opportunities for the future. To launch the TA2 Muscle Car Trans Tasman Challenge at such high-profile events in February is a great bonus and I’m sure we will turn on a great show for the fans, plus prove again to the Aussie drivers that NZ is the birthplace of real touring car talent.”

Dylan Thomas, CXC Racing Ford Mustang 
“ I am very excited to be heading over to the South Islands of New Zealand next year. It is going to be an awesome two rounds competing at some of New Zealand’s well known race tracks. I am very excited to race at Highlands motorsport park as it is a world renowned track and it is something that from a far looks incredible to drive.”