A mix of experienced racers and series debutants make up the 23-car grid for the first round of the 2022 PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek this Friday and Saturday night at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Following a two-year sabbatical of the National TA2 Series due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the national calendar returns this year, with reigning Northern Series champion Jett Johnson and Southern Series winner Mark Crutcher set to hit the track.

Johnson narrowly bested 2017 TA2 champion Russell Wright to the Northern Series last year, as Wright returns for the hunt for his second national title. Nash Morris, who scored three out of four race wins at the final Northern Series event last year, is a late entry for the season opener subbing for Norwell Motorplex Factory Racing teammate Mick Rowell.

This weekend the series is set to welcome no less than five debutants to the grid. Experienced production car and Formula Vee champion Dylan Thomas makes his TA2 Muscle Car debut in the CXC Racing Mustang, while Pulsar Series frontrunner and Bathurst 6 Hour class winner Josh Haynes makes his V8-racing debut in an ex-Loscialpo Chevrolet Camaro.

Haynes, who recently turned 18-years old, is a junior go-karting champion before debuting in tin tops with a successful stint in the one-make Nissan Pulsar Series, has chosen the TA2 formula as the next progression in his motor racing journey for the father-and-son outfit supported by Elvin Group and Rocksolid Concreting.

New South Welshman Nicholas Bates, Lachlan Granger and Chris Sutton are also preparing to make their first TA2 start this weekend.

The competition up front will be red hot, with Queensland guns John McLaughlin, Chris Pappas, Murray Kent, Karl Begg, Adam Hargraves and Nick Lange taking on Sydneysiders Michael Coulter, Zac Loscialpo, Chris Formosa and Graham Cheney.

Anthony Tenkate, Paul Hadley, Rob Leonard and Victorian Jason Hassett complete the grid for the season opener.

The TA2 Muscle Cars will hit the track for four races across the weekend. The first race will be held in twilight conditions on Friday night, kicking off at 6:07pm. Races 2 and 3 will be held on Saturday afternoon before an extended 15-lap finale at 9:25pm.

All of Saturday’s action can be watched live and free courtesy of a live stream hosted by the Australian Motor Racing Series, produced by Fuzzy Media.

The TA2 Muscle Car Series headlines the first round of the 2022 Australian Motor Racing Series, racing alongside the Australian Formula 3 Championship, the Super GT 4 Hour Enduro, the V8 Classic Series and other support categories.

QUOTES

Josh Haynes, #37 Chevrolet Camaro, Elvin Group/Rocksolid Concreting

“It was at the Bathurst 6 Hour we first saw the TA2 cars and that’s where we decided we would look into them as the next series to progress to.”

“As a family we love going our own direction with our racing, we were looking at TCRs and all the other categories you can go to but we saw these and they’re loud, they’re hard to drive, the racing is awesome and really cost-effective too for the car and how professional the series is managed. As a family outfit it’s a big deal for us to be racing in a series as awesome as this so we just can’t wait to get it started.

“We’ll be doing the full TA2 Muscle Car Series season and if we get the opportunity and we can make a few Trans-Am rounds then we’ll give that a go, but we’ll see how we go when we kick the season off in Sydney.

“We’ll be the father and son team plus a few others who come along to help us out, so we’ll turn up with our car trailer and give it a red hot crack.

It’s going go be awesome with the whole new light system, it was exciting to drive in a Pulsar so I can’t imagine how good it’s going to be in the TA2 Muscle Cars.

“We’re not going to put too much pressure on ourselves, a top-ten would be a reasonable goal for our first weekend but there will be so much to learn so we’ll give it our best shot and look to improve from there.

“Sydney Motorsport Park is a track with very-high degradation rate so it’s hard on the tyres by it’s nature, so one of the big things will be me learning to drive to the tyre, learning the car and racing in the pack in a left-hand drive car let alone in the dark, so it’ll be a steep learning curve.”

ENTRY LIST 2021 PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek Round 1 - National Series & Southern Series, Sydney Motorsport Park, 18-19 February

MASTERS, #3 Robert Leonard (QLD), Chevrolet Camaro - Access Linemarking Equipment MASTERS, #4 Mark Crutcher (NSW), Ford Mustang - Crutcher Developments PRO, #8 Chris Pappas (QLD), Ford Mustang - Wealthrite PRO, #11 Michael Coulter (NSW), Ford Mustang - Kobelco/Sydney Truck and Machinery PRO, #17 John McLaughlin (QLD), Ford Mustang - myraceprofile.com PRO, #20 Adam Hargraves (QLD), Chevrolet Camaro - Local Search Racing PRO, #21 Zac Loscialpo (NSW), Chevrolet Camaro - Tempest Solutions/Excelerate Motorsport MASTERS, #24 Nicholas Bates (NSW), Ford Mustang - Nicholas Bates Motorsport MASTERS, #26 Jason Hassett (VIC), Chevrolet Camaro - Hass Pumps PRO, #37 Josh Haynes (NSW), Chevrolet Camaro - Elvin Group/Rocksolid Concreting PRO, #40 Karl Begg (QLD), Ford Mustang - motorsportsales.com.au PRO, #48 Nick Lange (QLD), Chevrolet Camaro - Whitsunday Holiday Rentals PRO, #49 Chris Formosa (NSW), Dodge Challenger - Allgate Motorsport MASTERS, #50 Paul Hadley (NSW), Chevrolet Camaro - Illawarra Engineering Services PRO, #51 Graham Cheney (NSW), Chevrolet Camaro - Illawarra Engineering Services PRO, #67 Nash Morris (QLD), Ford Mustang - Supercheap Auto MASTERS, #55 Russell Wright (QLD), Ford Mustang - Wright Property Developments MASTERS, #68 Dylan Thomas (NSW), Ford Mustang - Sensational Kitchens/CXC Racing MASTERS, #69 Anthony Tenkate (QLD), Ford Mustang - Tenkate Plant Hire PRO, #70 Lachlan Granger (NSW), Ford Mustang - Wild Digital PRO, #74 Murray Kent (QLD), Chevrolet Camaro - Fit Flask PRO, #117 Jett Johnson (QLD), Ford Mustang - Full Throttle BBQ MASTERS, #321 Chris Sutton (NSW), Ford Mustang - Motofit

Format/Schedule: 2022 PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek Round 1: Sydney Motorsport Park (AMRS Round 1) February 18/19, Local time: AEDT

Friday 18 February Practice 1 - 10:18am (20 minutes) Practice 2 - 1:29pm (20 minutes) Qualifying - 3:23pm (20 minutes) Race 1 - 5:07pm - 5:27pm (12 laps - time certain)

Saturday 19 February Race 2 - 2:07pm (10 laps) Race 3 - 4:23pm (10 laps) Race 4 - 9:25pm - 9:50pm (15 laps - time certain)

The 2022 TA2 Muscle Car season kicks off this Friday at Sydney Motorsport Park with a unique two-day, four-race format featuring one twilight race and the finale on Saturday night.

The series returns this year with naming rights support from PROMAXX Performaxx Exhausts as well as increased backing from Hytek Steel Framing, with the competition to be known as the 2022 PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series - framed by Hytek.

The TA2 Muscle Cars will hit the track on Friday with two 20-minute practice sessions at 10:18am AEDT and 1:29pm. A 20-minute qualifying session will follow that afternoon at 4:23pm followed by a short turnaround for the first race of the season at 6:07pm, running over 12 laps.

A late start on Saturday will see the final three races held in the afternoon and into the night. Races 2 and 3 will be fought over 10 laps at 2:07pm and 4:23pm respectively, before an extended 15-lap finale at 9:25pm.

Series organisers, who recently celebrated the arrival of the 65th TA2 car in the country, are set to reveal a grid of over 20 cars for this week’s season opener.

Reigning Northern Champion Jett Johnson and Southern Champion Mark Crutcher are expected to join the grid alongside 2017 series champion Russell Wright and series regulars Chris Formosa, Zac Loscialpo, John McLaughlin, Michael Coulter and Murray Kent amongst others. A host of debutants are also set to join the grid for their first race in the TA2 category.

All of Saturday’s action can be watched live and free courtesy of a live stream hosted by the Australian Motor Racing Series, produced by Fuzzy Media.

The TA2 Muscle Car Series headlines the first round of the 2022 Australian Motor Racing Series, racing alongside the Australian Formula 3 Championship, the Super GT 4 Hour Enduro, the V8 Classic Series and other support categories.

Format/Schedule: 2022 PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series - framed by Hytek Round 1: Sydney Motorsport Park (AMRS Round 1) February 18/19, Local time: AEDT

Friday 18 February Practice 1 - 10:18am (20 minutes) Practice 2 - 1:29pm (20 minutes) Qualifying - 4:23pm (20 minutes) Race 1 - 6:07pm - 6:27pm (12 laps - time certain)

Saturday 19 February Race 2 - 2:07pm (10 laps) Race 3 - 4:23pm (10 laps) Race 4 - 9:25pm - 9:50pm (15 laps - Time Certain)

QUOTES

Scott Textor, CEO and Director - Hytek Steel Framing

“We are delighted at Hytek Steel Framing to become a co-naming rights partner for the 2022 PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series - framed by Hytek.

As one of the foundation drivers in the TA2 series back in 2016, it has been sensational to see the growth of the series to become one of the most exciting racing competitions in the country.

The growth in the popularity and attention towards the series is a real credit to Peter Robinson and the TA2 management group and we look forward to supporting the series on and off the track this year.”

Jett Johnson, #117 Full Throttle BBQ Ford Mustang, 2021 Northern Series Champion

“2021 was a really good year for my first time in the TA2 Series,” said Johnson.

“It was obviously a learning year for us, getting to know the car and the team around me, but the racing was really good and l learnt so much racing in the Northern Series.

“We’ll be attending as many TA2 and Trans-Am events as we can this year. At my age the more seat time I can get, the better. I’m looking forward to learning some new tracks outside of Queensland this year while continuing to develop my race craft and fast track my learning in these rear-wheel drive, high-powered muscle cars.

“I can’t wait to go racing at night in these cars. I haven’t done any night racing outside of go karts, so I expect it will be a great show in these cars and a great way to start the series.

“It will also be my first time driving at Sydney Motorsport Park, it looks like a real driver’s track so there are a couple of new challenges to come this week.

“We haven’t got any expectations yet, but we will get a couple of rounds under our belt and see what the competition is like and build some goals from there, but I hope to be there or thereabouts and see if we can continue our progress from last year.”

Mark Crutcher, #4 Crutcher Developments Ford Mustang, 2022 Southern Series Champion

“It was surreal to win the Southern Series last year. It was a COVID-affected year and there was a lot of drivers that missed out due to not being able to make it to each event, but the last races in Bathurst were outstanding and the most competitive I have driven, so it was a real thrill to win,” said Crutcher.

“Sydney Motorsport Park at night is awesome, you don’t see these cars any better. The conditions are great to drive in because the track is a little bit cooler, the cars look spectacular with the flames blowing out and the glowing brakes.

“We’re probably going into this year better than we ever have because we understand what we’re doing a bit more. I’m feeling a lot more confident but there’s so many quick drivers now, I might be quicker this year but I’ll probably be back in the pack!”

“I’ve been racing for four years now and the TA2 series has got stronger and stronger, there are so many cars in the country now and it’s just a pleasure to be involved in what really is the best bang-for-buck racing going around.

“You’re always racing someone no matter where you are, whether you are up the pointy-end, in the middle or at the back, there’s always someone to battle and it’s good, hard, honest racing and that’s what makes TA2 racing so good.”

• Championship begins under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park on Feb 18-19
• Six round national series in 2021 covering four states, supporting the Australian Motor Racing Series
• Back-to-back ‘King of the West’ events in Western Australia in July
• Northern, Southern and Western regional champions to be crowned
• Season finale to be at Winton in December with a grand ‘state of origin’ finale
• Invitational event at Bathurst International

The TA2 Muscle Car Series is set for it’s biggest year ever in 2022, with organisers announcing a six-round, nine-event provisional calendar for next season.

The series will take in six championship rounds supporting the Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS), visiting four states including a grand finale at Winton Motor Raceway.

The TA2 Muscle Car Series Champion will be crowned based on points accumulated over the six-round series, however each regional area will also feature its own four-round series and point score largely within the AMRS calendar.

The regional series have been created due to an increased in desire from competitors to minimise long-haul travel and time away from business by having a locally-based competition.

Each regional series will crown their own champion, while planning is underway for a grand finale State-of-Origin style shootout to wrap up the season.

From the season-opener under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park in March which will double as Round 1 of both the Northern and Southern Series, The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia hosts Round 2 at the state-of-the-art FIA Grade 2 circuit, ahead of the first of two visits to Winton in June.

The national series then takes a pause  ahead of two back-to-back invitational events to launch the TA2 Muscle Car Western Series in July. Perth’s Wanneroo Raceway and Collie Motorplex will play host to a host of national racers taking on local entrants to battle for the ‘King of the West’ title.

Queensland Raceway will host the fourth round of the national series in August before a second visit to Sydney Motorsport Park at the end of September for the penultimate championship round.

The season will conclude with back-to-back events in November, with the non-championship Trans-Am 100 at Mount Panorama followed by the final round at Winton.

While there wasn’t a national TA2 Muscle Car Series champion crowned in 2021, 16-year-old Jett Johnson took out the three-round Northern Series, while Mark Crutcher took out the Southern Series after a strong final round at the Bathurst 1000.

2022 TA2 Muscle Car Series Calendar

Round 1: Sydney Motorsport Park (NSW), February 18-19 (Northern and Southern round)

Round 2: The Bend Motorsport Park (SA), April 22-24 (Southern round)

Round 3: Winton Raceway (VIC), June 10-12 (Southern round)

Special: Wanneroo Raceway (WA), July 23-24 (Western round)

Special: Collie Motorplex (WA), July 30-31 (Western round)

Round 4: Queensland Raceway (QLD), August 19-21 (Northern round)

Round 5: Sydney Motorsport Park (NSW), September 30 - October 2 (Northern and Southern round)

Special: Bathurst International (NSW), November 11-13 (Trans-Am 100)

Round 6: Winton Raceway (VIC), November 18-20 (State of Origin)

QUOTES

Craig Denyer, TA2 Muscle Car Series Manager

“Given the challenges over the past two years, we believe the 2022 calendar offers TA2 Muscle Car Series competitors the best chance of getting as much track time at premium tracks with a calendar that offers six primary national events, combined with a regional breakout to complement the AMRS series.

“We are closing in on over 80 Australian-specification TA2 cars ordered or delivered for the start of the 2022 season, so the choice of where competitors want to race, how often and at what price point has never been greater.”

“We are excited to build TA2 racing as a truly national formula, we were eager to include an event in South Australia and what better venue to race at than the world-class circuit at The Bend Motorsport Park.

“We have experienced incredible interest already in the Western Australian regional series, so we are looking forward to launching that with a back-to-back festival in July with the King of the West challenge.”

“From what started as a club-level racing category for the gentleman driver, we are proud to have facilitated the enormous growth of TA2 Racing in Australia and we look forward to building on that in 2022.”

After Nathan Herne wrapped up the National Trans Am title yesterday for Dream Racing and Gary Rogers Motorsport, today’s final race at Mt Panorama will see three drivers tough it out for the PROMAXX TA2 Muscle Car Southern Series, being run this weekend as a co-round with Trans-Am. With Chris Pappas and Nash Morris nonstarters, Western Sydney’s Michael Coulter came into the final round with a slight points margin over Zac Loscialpo, with Mark Crutcher from Young in NSW in third.

Following Wednesday’s 100 kilometre 16-lapper, Coulter’s 14^th place behind Loscialpo’s 10^th place swung the points pendulum the other way with Crutcher also closing the gap. A tyre failure during yesterday’s event saw Loscialpo off the road at The Chase and dropping back to 14^th, while Crutcher had a great drive to 7^th outright, with Coulter finishing 11^th.

This moves all three drivers to within five points of one another with the final race scheduled for 9am NSW time Saturday morning. Crutcher has taken the series lead with 141 points, from Coulter on 139 and Loscalpio two points further back.

Gold Coaster Matt MacKelden and teammate Hugh McAlister came together at the top of mountain straight in Thursday’s race, when the two ran side by side into the braking area on the first lap, Mackelden admitted turning down on his team mate not realising he was there.  The Kubota Mustang was heavily damaged when it speared into the tyre wall on the left hand side. The team has worked hard to get the Mustang back on track for the final race with help from the NSW TAFE Repair Centre on track.  MacKelden will start from pit lane as a penalty for his role in the incident.

“Hugh did nothing wrong, I just didn’t realise he was there and turned in.  The car looks worse than it is, so I’m sure given the TA2 parts truck is on site we will have it ready for the final race.”   MacKelden said.

“Pretty frustrating really, I had a good run up the mountain and didn’t dive bomb into Turn 2, I was right alongside and Matt just didn’t know I was there. The first rule of racing is don’t take out your team mate! We’ve had a talk about it, so we will move forward from here,” McAlister said.

Nathan Herne is on for the hat trick if he can win the final race today, with Tim Brook and Kyle Gurton also having a strong weekend. Eden Thornburrow, who only finished his HSC exams last week sits equal 4^th on points with Ben Grice, son of twice Bathurst winner Allan Grice. Grice’s Mustang is being prepared by Melbourne’s Les Small, who also built the Chickadee Chicken Commodore that Ben’s father first won Bathurst in back in 1986.

The final TA2/Trans Am race will be televised live by the Seven Network on Saturday morning.