QUOTESLiam Curkpatrick. Chief Operating Officer - Australian Racing Group "The partnership that we have established has matured over the past two years, and it's great to solidify our position with PBR for the next three years," "The best part of the deal is that it gives all comers to Trans Am racing in Australia lots of options. With the way that the calendars align, you could be racing more times than most other major categories.” "Interest in our Trans Am series is at an all-time high, and we feel that maintaining the relationship and alignment with PBR and TA2 is important for the future of the class in Australia." Craig Denyer, Category Manager - TA2 Muscle Car Series “This relationship has worked well as it clearly puts the competitor first and helps keep the costs controlled," said Denyer. "The same specification car for both series gives all teams the opportunity of competing at the level they can best afford, at the tracks they would like to compete at. They can race Trans Am one weekend, and the TA2 Muscle Car Series the following weekend if they choose, as many of them do, and nothing has to change on the car." "We are looking forward to another successful partnership as both series continue to support each other, delivering great on track action and worthy series champions.”

QUOTES Nathan HerneDriver, American Trans Am Championship “It doesn’t feel real to be honest, I don’t know how to feel right now. Joe Stevens and Howe Racing are really putting all their eggs in my basket to try and win the 2023 title, so it’s daunting, but also pretty cool,” said Herne. “They want to get the championship. It is very competitive over there, and there are a bunch of NASCAR teams now putting their junior drivers and main game drivers in the category to groom them for NASCAR. NASCAR is going more towards the road course route and TA2 over there is the biggest road racing series they have, so it’s a bit of a pinch yourself moment to think I’ll be in the category in just under 2 months time. “I’ve had a taste of the racing and the class at COTA, and it was very eye-opening. It was the first time in my racing career that I’d thought “gee, I could be out of my depth a bit here,” but I went well in my first race. I proved that I was one of the fastest drivers there, and I want to put in a good fight for the championship. “I don’t want to set any expectations. I know I’m going to give it everything I have, and if worse comes to worse, I’ll come back to Australia with a years bucket list ticked off, but best case, I stay in the states and build on a great year and make the most of the opportunity. “There’s some huge names coming next year. Richard Petty’s grandson is driving. Being in Australia, you look at the Americas and you think that racing there is unattainable. Now to have the chance to be racing against some bloody good drivers is a pinch yourself moment. “we’ve worked hard to make it happen. Stevens-Miller and Howe have moved heaven and earth for me to be there, so I want to reward them with results. “Trans Am in Australia has been big for me. I started in TA2 in 2019, when the series itself was starting to gain momentum and then I cut my teeth in the ARG Trans Am series, and it was a lifesaver. I couldn’t afford to go to Supercars - I never had the finances, so Trans Am was a lifesaver. The series has grown in Australia and you can see that it is making big strides. Personally, it is the category that has given me a shot at a career in the sport, where otherwise I would be out. “I can’t thank GRM and Valvoline enough for giving me a shot and keeping me racing. I don’t know how to pay everyone back who has helped me get this far in Australia, I don’t think I will be able to. I just appreciate everyone’s help, and hopefully Trans Am becomes a pathway for young guys coming out of Formula Ford, not everyone can afford the big-budget categories, and I guess you can say I’m being a guinea pig for the guys like myself to push and break through the hurdles here in Australia. I think what I am doing proves that this is a genuine pathway for young drivers, the worlds a big place and we do forget that, I never thought America was an option, and I was bloody stressed midway through the year about how I sat in the Australian Motorsports landscape, although the Trans Am series has put me on this pathway, so I just have to sit down and strap in and see where this leads to.” Joe StevensOwner, Stevens-Miller Racing “I am excited to announce that Stevens-Miller Racing (SMR) has partnered with the talented professional driver Nathan Herne for the upcoming 2023 TA2 season,” said Stevens. “Nathan brings a wealth of racing experience and impressive accomplishments to our team, and we are confident that his skills behind the wheel will propel us back to winning championships. “Additionally, we are thrilled to expand our partnership with CUBE 3 as our newly appointed title team sponsor. With their innovative designs and our dedication to pushing the limits of what is possible in motorsports, I believe that our collaboration will be nothing short of exceptional. I look forward to seeing the results of our team's efforts and can't wait for the season to begin. Barry RogersGarry Rogers Motorsport “We are tremendously proud of what Nathan has achieved during his time with GRM which all began back in 2020 when we tested him in a Supercar,” said Rogers. “Nathan had just turned 18 years old, and Garry was so impressed with Nathan that it motivated him to enter a Bathurst Wildcard. “Unfortunately, Nathan was not given an exemption for a Superlicence although only 1-point short of automatically qualifying for one and the opportunity to race at Bathurst was gone. Subsequent rule changes to the Superlicence system that required drivers to compete in Super2 saw Nathan’s opportunity to race at Bathurst dissipate as the funding for such a program was not available. “Nathan put his head down and bum up and showed immediately his driving talents in Australia’s fastest race cars, the S5000’s and dominated the past two Trans Am seasons. We are so happy that Nathan has been given an opportunity in the US and it illustrates to young drivers there are many opportunities out there for those who have the talent and not necessarily the budget. “Nathan joins a long list of ex-GRM personnel to head overseas to further their Motorsport careers including James Small (Nascar Crew Chief), Ian Studley (F3 and GT lead mechanic), Pierre Luigi Orsi (Mercedes F1 engineer), Dexter Chiew (Alpine F1), Chris Harris (Renault F1) and Scotty McLaughlin (INDYCAR driver).”

2023 TA2 Muscle Car Series Calendar

Round 1 - Winton Motor Raceway (VIC), March 17-19 (Southern Series)Round 2 - Hidden Valley Raceway (NT), April 29-May 1 (Northern Series), Two-Driver EventRound 3 - Queensland Raceway (QLD), June 2-4 (Northern Series)Round 4 - Morgan Park Raceway (QLD), July 8-9 (Northern Series)Round 5 - Sydney Motorsport Park (NSW), October 13-14 (Southern & Northern Series)TBC - The Bend Motorsport Park (SA), October 27-29 (Southern Series)Round 6 - Calder Park Raceway (VIC), November 24-26 (Southern Series)

Two brand-new circuits and a marquee series of races in the top end highlight the 2023 TA2 Muscle Car Series calendar announced today, which will include a new free-to-air television deal with SBS, plus live coverage on Fox Sports.

The series will headline all six rounds of the newly-announced Hi-Tec Oils Super Series calendar in 2023 as well as a standalone southern region round in the planning stages at The Bend Motorsport Park. 

The six Super Series rounds will boast live free-to-air television coverage on SBS on the Sunday of each race weekend and simulcast on Fox Sports, extended coverage on weekly motorsport show Speedweek and a magazine-style show in between events as well as an expanded live streaming package.

The season will commence where it concluded a sensational 2022 series at Winton Motor Raceway. Victorian circuits will bookend the calendar with the grand finale at the revived Calder Park Raceway.

Calder Park has been a dormant circuit racing venue since 2008, with the Super Series finale to mark the circuit's return as a host of national-level motorsport.

The TA2 Muscle Car Series will make a highly anticipated racing debut in the Northern Territory, with Hidden Valley Raceway set to headline the first Australian TA2 two-driver series of races.

South-East Queensland will take in Rounds 3 and 4 in Winter, with Queensland Raceway hosting Round 3 in June followed by Morgan Park in July.

The fifth round will be a Friday/Saturday day/night fixture at Sydney Motorsport Park on October 13-14 which will combine rounds for both the Northern and Southern regional Series.

South Australia will host the penultimate round of the TA2 Southern Series at The Bend Motorsport Park on October 27-29, before the Calder Park finale in late November.

The popular Northern and Southern regional point score concept will return in 2023, with all rounds except The Bend featured as part of the new Hi-Tec Oils Super Series. Hidden Valley, Queensland Raceway, Morgan Park and Sydney Motorsport Park will double as Northern Series point scoring rounds, while Winton, Sydney, The Bend and Calder will be included as Southern Series rounds.

The overall winner of the TA2 Muscle Car Series will receive the TA2 Championship ring valued at over $5000, plus a fully refreshed exchange race engine valued at $22,000 subject to terms and conditions. Second and Third in the series will also receive gearbox and rear end exchange units respectively as part of the series prizes.

17-year old third-generation sensation Jett Johnson won the TA2 Muscle Car Series this year, and is working towards the Supercars ladder in 2023, while the Northern and Southern Series were claimed by Graham Cheney and Zach Loscialpo respectively, while Brett Niall won the inaugural TA2 King of the West title.

The TA2 Western Region point score will also commence in early March and feature events at both Wanneroo Raceway and the Collie Motorplex throughout the year.

Further event details and formats for 2023 rounds will be confirmed in the new year.

QUOTES

Craig Denyer, TA2 Muscle Car Series National Category Manager

“Our plan has always been to give drivers the opportunity to race at as many different tracks as possible, so to include Hidden Valley and Calder Park is awesome.

“We are looking at doing something quite special for Hidden Valley, working with the event promoters and the Hi-Tech Super Series team to come up with a concept where both drivers can earn championship points and have a two-driver finale with a compulsory driver change.  It’s early days and work in progress at the moment, however it should be exciting and a great point of difference.”

Josh Haynes, driver #37 Ford Mustang

“My first thoughts when I saw the calendar was wow! 

“To be racing down in Victoria at historic tracks such as Calder Park as well as taking on the very loved Hidden Valley Raceway in the Northern Territory is an absolute privilege. 

“Next year is going to be such an exciting year full of new tracks, drivers and battles, and I am more pumped than ever.

“The Team and I are working hard to prepare our new mustang for 2023. With the first round fast approaching already we are looking forward to showing everyone what we have in store.”

QUOTESKyle Gurton, #2 Nuveau Constructions Ford Mustang "Those last two races Jackson got his stuff together. We really had to push and fight for it and tried for a mistake, but Jackson was flawless in that last race and managed to take the last race win. "This was just a bit of testing towards the end of the year. We were just testing some different things with the car, but it is always good to come out and have a crack at the same time, but maybe next year we will be in TA2 a bit more hopefully.” “Awesome round from TA2 and Hytek, awesome for AMRS for putting it together. Thanks to all the officials and sponsors who made this happen." Jett Johnson, #117 NAPA Auto Parts Ford Mustang “I want to firstly thank all the guys on the spanners for me and making all this happen without Benny, TG and Dad we would not be here. All the sacrifices Dad has made and Mum for everything they do for me. "I want to thank all my sponsors NAPA, Shell, Pirtek and everyone else for all the support they have given me and believing in me, it's just incredible.” Nicholas Bates, #24 Precious Metal Panel Beating Ford Mustang “Its nice to have some guys to race at the same pace, it is very competitive but a whole lot of fun. "I am very happy, I can’t thank my crew enough cause we finished every race and I have made a mess of it sometimes but they have cleaned it up so it is pretty much down to them.”

QUOTESKyle Gurton #2 Micale Cabinets/Nuveau Group Ford Mustang  “I spent those last ten or nine laps just sitting behind Jackson [Rice] working out where he is strong. “I had an opportunity coming down the main straight, Jackson went a bit wide on the wet stuff. “I put my stuff up on the dash and went around the outside of turn one, it was a bit hairy out of one and two but I got the move done and got the win.”