Kobelco Motorsport’s Michael Coulter and Kubota Racing’s Hugh McAlister shared the spoils as the first TA2 grid since COVID-19 hit the track today for the PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series NSW State of Origin event at Sydney Motorsport Park.

After McAlister set pole position in the morning’s qualifying session, confusion on the rolling start saw a radio call made from race control which gave McAlister a false cue to take off before the lights went out to commence the race.

McAlister eventually crossed the finish line over two seconds ahead of Coulter, before he was handed a five second post-race penalty for a jump start.

Coulter passed former V8 Utes racer Andrew Fisher off the start and inherited his maiden series win from Fisher.

Series regulars Ian McAlister, Mark Crutcher and Craig Scutella enjoyed a good scrap in the midfield throughout the race, as Crutcher made it home or sixth ahead of McAlister, Chris Formosa and Scutella.

The top four staged a thrilling battle in Race 2 late in the day.

Fisher made a move for the lead until Coulter blocked into Turn 1. McAlister was a man on a mission as he passed Fisher for second at Turn 2 on Lap 4, and then Coulter at Turn 3 two laps later.

The Kubota Racing driver was never headed as he set the fastest lap of the race on his way to his maiden TA2 race win.

Former Toyota 86 racer Zac Loscialpo came to grips with his TA2 Camaro in Race 2, passing Fisher for third on Lap 6 and then Coulter for second on the penultimate lap to finish second on his TA2 debut.

Fisher then passed Coulter for third to score two podiums in his debut in the Jesus Racing Camaro.

The PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series returns for two more races tomorrow at Sydney Motorsport Park to decide the NSW State of Origin winner.

The TA2 Muscle Car Series has confirmed their return to racing, with a New South Wales ‘State of Origin’ event to feature at the second round of the Australian Motor Racing Series this weekend, 25-27 September at Sydney Motorsport Park.

The event billed as the ‘PROMAXX Performance Exhausts NSW State of Origin TA2 Muscle Car Series’ will see a grid of 11 New South Wales-based TA2 racers line up for four ten-lap sprint races at Sydney Motorsport Park.

A host of new talent joining the series this weekend will include Toyota 86 Series racer Zac Loscialpo in the ex-Cameron Sendall Camaro supported by Tempest Solutions and Pastro Ag.

The son of production car racer Anthony Loscialpo, Zac sampled the car at Queensland Raceway a month ago before bringing it back to New South Wales and completed a shakedown day last week at Sydney Motorsport Park in preparation for his series debut this weekend.

V8 Utes and Touring Car Masters racer Andrew Fisher will also make his first TA2 appearance in the second Dream Racing Australia Camaro alongside Craig Scutella.

Another debutant will see Sprintcar legend Barry Kelleher make his circuit racing debut in the TA2 Muscle Car Series after recently acquiring a Mustang from Carey McMahon.

One round of the PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series has been completed so far in 2020, when former Toyota 86 Series racer John McLaughlin won the season opener at Winton in March ahead of fellow Queenslanders Murray Kent and Michael Kulig.

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have forced series organisers to adapt their season and focus on ensuring competitors can enjoy track time in any means possible at local events or invitational appearances in other categories.

Several TA2 competitors, including have appeared in the Tin Tops all-comers support category to the Supercars Championship at Townsville and The Bend, with a seperate class recognising the TA2 cars competing.

Tin Top competitors at The Bend included the debut of Karl Begg in the motorsportsales.com.au Mustang, the Queenslander acquired the car from Tim Tritton as raced in the 2019 series. Fellow Queenslander Ben Walsh clean swept the TA2 class in the ex-Bill Robinson Mustang, with plans to join the Tin Tops again supporting the Bathurst 1000.

Queensland-based racers have also competed in local Sports Sedan events as invited entries, with plans afoot for a Queensland State of Origin event in late October at Queensland Raceway.

Event organisers have enabled this weekend’s event in Sydney to continue in accordance with government regulations in the ongoing management of the COVID-19 pandemic, while measures have been put in place to ensure social distancing laws are complied with.

No spectators will be permitted to the venue, while all nominated drivers and crew will be temperature tested before entering the circuit.

Outside of the outright round podium, a host of regular series awards are still on offer, including the PWR Pole Award, the Hypercoil Hard Charger Award, the Wilwood Big Braker Award and the Bowden’s Own Best Presented Award.

The PROMAXX Performance Exhausts NSW TA2 Muscle Car Series is set for practice on Friday, followed by qualifying at 11:10am AEST before two races on Saturday afternoon and two more races to finish on Sunday.

QUOTES Craig Denyer, TA2 Muscle Car Series Manager

“It will be fantastic to see the TA2 Muscle Cars back on track at Sydney Motorsport Park to give primarily the NSW based competitors some track time,” said Denyer.

“The event will be run within strict COVID 19 guidelines implemented by the AMRS, and hopefully we can back up the NSW event with another AMRS round at Queensland Raceway for TA2 cars next month.”

Zac Loscialpo, #21 Camaro, Tempest Solutions

“We had heard about the series and watched some footage and after talking to Cameron Sendall up in Queensland and driving the car we were excited to get involved,” said Loscialpo.

“It is a big change from the Toyota 86 Series but we thought it would be a good stepping stone and a new chapter for our family team.

“I think my old man wanted something he could drive as well, he loves the V8s and maybe we can have a two-car team one day.

"My first laps were mental, there’s a big difference from the Toyota 86 but once I got my head around it after a few laps I loved it and you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

“It’s a purpose built race car with so much power and I hadn’t driven on slicks before so that was a new learning experience, and the four speed dog-box was a totally different concept of driving.

“We wanted something faster and a new challenge, it’s a proper race car so there are a lot of adjustments we can do to tune it up and we have already learnt so much from the couple of days we have had it on track.

“Our goals for the weekend are just to continue our learning of the car, improve each session and it will be great to go racing against some other TA2 cars.”

PROMAXX Performance Exhausts 2020 NSW TA2 Muscle Car Series

ENTRY LIST

#3 Barry Kelleher (NSW), Ford Mustang

#4 Mark Crutcher (NSW) - Dodge Challenger, Crutcher Developments

#6 Hugh McAlister (NSW) - Ford Mustang, Kubota Racing

#9 Ian McAlister (NSW) - Chevrolet Camaro, McAlister Motors

#11 Michael Coulter (NSW) - Ford Mustang, Kobelco/Sydney Truck and Machinery

#21 Zac Loscialpo (NSW) - Chevrolet Camaro, Tempest Solutions/Excelerate Motorsport

#49 Chris Formosa (NSW) - Dodge Challenger, Ranger Racing/Allgate Auto Doors

#50 Paul Hadley (NSW) - Chevrolet Camaro, Illawarra Engineering Services

#51 Graham Cheney (NSW) - Chevrolet Camaro - Illawarra Engineering Services

#555 Andrew Fisher (NSW) - Chevrolet Camaro - Dream Racing Australia

#777 Craig Scutella (NSW) - Chevrolet Camaro - Dream Racing Australia

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY Practice 1 - 10:00am (20 minutes) Practice 2 - 12:15pm (20 minutes) Practice 3 - 3:10pm (20 minutes)

SATURDAY Qualifying - 11:10am (20 minutes) Race 1 - 1:30pm (10 laps) Race 2 - 4:00pm (10 laps)

SUNDAY Race 3 - 10:30am (10 laps) Race 4 - 2:15pm (10 laps)

QUOTES

Tim Slade - DJR Team Penske Supercars co-driver

“I’ve been a big fan of the TA2 category for a little while now. I think it’s an awesome concept, it’s super cost-effective and a lot of bang-for-buck,” said Slade.

“It was good fun and nice to get some laps in a race car again given that I haven’t done any for a long time, with bathurst coming up it was a nice way to repair.

“I think it’s a great entry-level category but there are also a lot of speedy guys in there, it’s got great numbers around the country and I’d recommend it to anyone that was looking to get into motor racing or stepping up from other classes like the Hyundai Excels.”

Jett Johnson - Hyundai Excel racer, son of Steve Johnson

“It was so cool, I got out of Turn 2 on my first lap and put my foot down and it was so fast compared to an Excel,” said Johnson.

“It was surprisingly easy to get used to, at first it was a bit daunting for me because I had only raced Excels with low horsepower and thin tyres, but I got out in the TA2 and it had so much grip, it was so fast but really nice to drive.

“Karl Begg approached us at Morgan Park when we raced the Hyundai there a couple of weeks ago, and he asked if I wanted to come and try the TA2.

“It was really good of him to invite us to come out today, a big thanks to him and motorsportsales.com.au for the opportunity to come and drive the TA2.”

Ben Walsh - Aussie Racing Cars and SuperUtes winner

“The cars are unreal to drive, they had a lot of power all the way through the rev range. You’ve got to get used to sliding them around a little bit, but they’re really enjoyable cars to drive,” said Walsh.

“I’m going to be racing one in the Tin Tops at The Bend in South Australia next week and I’m really looking forward to it.

“The series has great appeal because the cars are even and you can do some setup changes to them but not too much, and you’ve got the longevity fo the engine, I think its a very cost effective way to go racing a fast car.

“They are doing a very quick lap time around here, usually to get a car to do that sort of lap time you’ve got to spend ridiculous amounts of money.

“I have got a few mates who race them who’ve talked me into it, and I’m glad I came out today,  it’s as good as everyone told me it would be.”

Kyle Gurton - Formula Ford racer

“I had the opportunity to come out to try out the TA2 today and to have my first drive of a V8 race car,” said Gurton.

“I’ve been racing Formula Ford with Team Sonic and the production cars with Aaron Cameron, but while there isn’t much racing going on this year it was good to get some seat time.

“The car was amazing, the noise was incredible, the power down the back straight was insane and I was surprised by how much grip it had through the corners.

“It was my first time driving on the left hand side of the car which was a bit weird at first trying to pick my apexes, but the gear stick was on the right like a Formula Ford so there were some similarities.

“Today just blew me away and I’d love to get back in one as soon as I can.

“Big shout out to Peter Robinson and Cameron Sendall from the TA2 Muscle Car Series, I was well impressed by how relaxed they were thought the day, it was a great crew to help me get used to the car.”

TA2 Racing Australia is proud to announce an extension of the agreement for Queensland based PBR Distributions to remain the exclusive dealer for Howe Racing Enterprises in Australia and New Zealand.

The announcement confirms the long-term future of the PBR same-spec cars currently used in the TA2 Muscle Car series, and will provide stable regulations for current and future competitors with continued support through spare parts and servicing.

Howe Racing Enterprises initially became the exclusive Australian supplier on a five-year deal in 2016 with PBR principal Peter Robinson, who was responsible for setting up and developing the same-spec platform in Australia and New Zealand.

The latest renewal is set for a further five years with an option for another five years following.

Over 50 PBR spec cars have now been sold in Australia, and Howe Racing Enterprises president Chas Howe has praised the efforts of the PBR management team in developing the formula in Australia from the ground up, and was only too enthusiastic to extend his support for Australian TA2 down under.

PBR Distributions’ association with Howe Racing Enterprises has extended to an international driver exchange program that has given Australian TA2 Series Champions the chance to race between Australia and America.

Dual American TA2 champion Gar Robinson joined Australian TA2 racers at Mount Panorama in 2017 and 2018, while inaugural Australian series winner Russell Wright and 2018 champion Ashley Jarvis raced in Trans-Am events at Circuit of the Americas and Daytona International Speedway respectively in previous years.

Peter Robinson’s efforts are now focussed on developing the international profile of the series in New Zealand and the potential for a number of Trans-Tasman events,  plus increasing ties with other Howe-affiliated same-specification platform Racers in many other countries.

Former Toyota 86 Series racer John McLaughlin leads the 2020 PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series following Round 1 at Winton in his Ford Mustang ahead of Camaro racers Murray Kent and Michael Kulig.

QUOTES

Chas Howe - President and CEO, Howe Racing Enterprises

“Peter Robinson has never failed to deliver on any commitment to Howe, and PBR has exceeded by far all of the requirements of our 2016 agreement; extending the deal is a no-brainer,” said Chas Howe.

“It is easy now to jump on the ship, but the launching of the category in Australia required vision and a considerable investment.”

“Cost-containment and maintaining stable regulations is a constant challenge for any racing category, but Peter has the vision and discipline for the task and has done a phenomenal job.”

Peter Robinson - Executive Director,  PBR Distributions

“PBR Distributions are pumped to announce that Howe Racing Enterprises has extended the Australia/NZ exclusive Howe dealership arrangement for a further five years, with right of renewal for a further five years beyond that,” said Peter Robinson.

“Our independent TA2 Muscle Car Series has gained huge interest since its inception with the recent sale of the 50^th car in Australia.

“Our TA2 Technical Manager Cameron Sendall is in constant communication with component manufacturers in the USA to give feedback on our research and development.

“This information is gained from every PBR TA2 car having the same equipment and our exposure to supporting these vehicles for our members. The findings are shared amongst the 12 other countries in the world who also race their version of the same-spec Howe platform.

“Howe Racing has also cemented a deal with McLaren Engineering in the USA (part of the Linamar Group) as the engine builder and supplier for our TA2 Racing Australia cars as well as many other countries, again exclusive to Howe Racing.

“Our intention is to grow the series across the Tasman, and are nearing final negotiations with likeminded Kiwis to up hold our rock solid mandate to run the series independently and keep the cost of racing low and ownership within New Zealand. In other words, owned by New Zealanders for New Zealanders.”

The PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series has welcomed the arrival of the 50th TA2 car in Australia.

PBR Distributions, the official vehicle and component supplier for TA2 in Australia confirmed the 50th car in Australia is a Chevrolet Camaro headed for Victorian first-time circuit racer John Holinger (Pictured with TA2 Muscle Car Series Technical Manager Cameron Sendall).

The first TA2 car landed in Australia in October 2015 when Peter Robinson purchased the initial car from Howe Racing Enterprises built to what has become the Australian TA2 PBR specification.

In amongst the 50 cars in Australia includes two cars which have since been sold to New Zealand for the development of the NZV8TA2 Series, using the exact same specification as raced in Australia.

The inaugural series was held in 2017 between Queensland Raceway and Lakeside Park, before the series expanded in to its first national calendar in 2018 including a round at the Muscle Car Masters in Sydney and rounds supporting the AMRS at Winton, Wakefield Park and Sydney Motorsport Park.

TA2 cars have also raced in the Combined Sedans support category at the Bathurst 12 Hour since 2017, which saw dual American TA2 champion Gar Robinson venture down under to demonstrate the Australian TA2 car.

2019 saw further expansion with consistent 25-car grids for the whole season and a record 32-cars lining up for the final round at Queensland Raceway when rising star Aaron Seton won the championship in the Castrol Harris Racing Ford Mustang.

TA2 Muscle Car Series manager Craig Denyer credited the TA2 formula in its low-cost, same-specification platform to the impressive growth of the series in Australia.

Former Toyota 86 Series racer John McLaughlin leads the 2020 PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series following Round 1 at Winton in the myraceprofile.com Ford Mustang ahead of Camaro racers Murray Kent and Michael Kulig.

QUOTES Craig Denyer - TA2 Muscle Car Series Manager

“It’s terrific to witness the handover of the 50th TA2 car in Australia,” said Craig Denyer.

“The PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series has welcomed racers from a variety of backgrounds, from seasoned veterans of the sport like Andrew Miedecke and Russell Wright, rising stars Aaron Seton and Nathan Herne making their names in the sport, but also those brand-new to racing.

“It’s great to see the 50th car go to a first-time circuit racer in John Holinger.

“For a series that grew out of one car at a club-level in Queensland, the growth of these cars in Australia really comes down to the widespread appeal of the formula and the control of the technical regulations to sustain it.

“It really is a back-to-basics approach to providing an appealing racing series, with a modern high-performance racing platform and all the technology and safety that comes with that, combined with a focus on cost control, close competition and entertainment for the fans.

Dayna Bullock - Office Manager, PBR Distributions

“It has been great to witness and build in the success of the TA2 formula in Australia from the very beginning as the official vehicle and component supplier,” said Dayna Bullock.

“PBR Distributions is proud to support the PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series on race day with our official spare parts and support trailer attending every championship round.

“The philosophy of the series from the very beginning was that it allows racers to use their skill behind the wheel rather than the money spent on their car to stand out on track, but also to race in a friendly-environment that was appealing and achievable for the amateur racer.

“With a new partnership with the BNT V8 Series in New Zealand building quickly and continuing discussions with TA2 organisations globally, the future of the category is very bright.”

John Holinger, owner of 50th TA2 car in Australia

“I’ve done a bit of motorcross in the past but nothing like this in circuit racing,” said John Holinger.

“I’ve seen these running around the tracks in Victoria and was immediately interested in them and looked into them after that.

“I’ve certainly not got any expectations but we’ll just take it easy to start with and learn as much as I can.”