A new two-car Ford Mustang team has broken cover, with Kubota Racing being officially unveiled on the eve of the opening round of the 2019 TA2 Muscle Car Series this weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park.

The team will comprise 2019 TA2 Muscle Car Series runner-up Hugh McAlister, and a newcomer to the series in the form of Matthew MacKelden. The team has also announced support from

Kubota, Australia’s largest heavy equipment manufacturer as well as leading battery brand Yuasa Battery, and further support from Australian Hammer Supplies, Performax and Cohen Handler.

MacKelden has made the switch to TA2 following a year in the Super Utes series, and previous experience in Formula Vee, Saloon Cars, Mini Challenge and Production Cars. He is also a two-time class champion of the Bathurst 12 Hour in a V8 Ute, and a broadcaster on a national racing-specific radio show called ‘The Driver’s Seat’, co-hosted by former Supercars driver Steve Johnson.

“We’re really excited to reveal our brand new TA2 program with two Mustangs sponsored by Kubota and teaming up with Hugh and Ian McAlister to form a really strong team,” said MacKelden.

“This category is going crazy, the cars are exciting, they move, they’re fast, they’re loud and with the Mustang being so popular here now we thought it was the perfect opportunity to jump onboard.

“The TA2 cars do everything a race car is supposed to do, they turn and put the power down really well and it was great to feel comfortable in the Kubota Racing Mustang straight way in pre-season testing.

“The depth in this class now with names like George and Andrew Miedecke, Aaron Seton, George Elliot and all these drivers with so much experience shows that if we perform here than we have really done ourselves proud.”

The team has evolved from the two-car McAlister Motors outfit of the previous two years, with Hugh’s father and long-time racing stalwart Ian McAlister stepping out of the seat for the 2019 season in favour of Mackelden.

“I’ve been racing for a long time now and when Matthew [MacKelden] came along with the offer from Kubota I felt it was the right time to step away from a full-time drive and put more focus into running the team,” said McAlister.

“The cars look fantastic, it’s a change from the traditional red we have run in the past but the matte-black and orange finish looks great and we’re very happy with the way they have turned out.

“We have a great team and the cars are getting faster all the time so it all bodes well for this season.”

The two Ford Mustangs were unveiled at the headquarters of Australian Hammer Supplies in Sydney today with a striking new colour scheme. Both cars feature a matte-black base and orange style stripes running numbers five and six.

13 Ford Mustangs, eight Chevrolet Camaros and four Dodge Challengers complete the record 25-car grid for the opening event of the six-round series this weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park.

The TA2 Muscle Car Series will commence with three practice sessions on Friday, followed by qualifying and two races on Saturday, and the remaining two races on Sunday. Spectator entry will be free both days, with Saturday and Sunday’s action will be live streamed courtesy of Blend Line TV on the TA2 Racing facebook page.

Following an off-season of incredible growth, eight new faces will make their TA2 debut at the Western Sydney circuit, while the series has confirmed that all qualifying and races for the opening round will also be shown live and free on the TA2 Racing facebook page.

Former Stadium Super Truck and stock car racer Shaun Richardson joins TA2 in a Ford Mustang to debut at Sydney Motorsport Park, as well as former Super Utes racer Matthew Mackelden and famed NASCAR and V8 Ute racer George Elliot.

Elliot will make his long-awaited return to racing in a two-car effort under the recently-launched Dream Racing Australia banner, where he’ll be joined by first-time circuit racer Craig Scutella in a pair of Chevrolet Camaros.

Mackelden has made the switch away from Super Utes, joining Hugh McAlister in a two-car Mustang team backed by Kubota, with Hugh’s father and long-time racing stalwart Ian McAlister stepping out of the seat for the rest of the season. Mackelden has been instrumental in the career path of Chris Pither, Jesse Dixon and a number of high-profile drivers plus also hosts a national motorsport radio programme with former Supercars racer Steven Johnson called “The Drivers Seat.”

Reigning New South Wales and Victorian Formula Ford Champion Nathan Herne joins the TA2 Series in the Gulf Western Oils-backed Dodge Challenger, the 16 year old joining fellow young guns Drew Ridge and 2018 Rookie of the Year Aaron Seton in a hugely-competitive field of contenders.

They will be up against tough competition from former Super 2 and Australian GT racer George Miedecke following a strong showing on his TA2 debut at the final round in Sydney last year. 

Miedecke has made an off-season switch to a Ford Mustang, while Miedecke Motorsport expands to a two-car effort with father Andrew debuting in the #95 Dodge Challenger which George recently used to claim TA2 class honours in the Bathurst 12 Hour Combined Sedans support races.

Other debutants include a trio of Ford Mustangs for New South Welshmen Bill Robinson and Chris La Rosa, and former HQ Holden racer Warren Wadley.

13 Ford Mustangs, eight Chevrolet Camaros and four Dodge Challengers complete the grid, made up of 14 Queensland drivers, eight from New South Wales and three Victorians.

“This is by far the largest and most competitive TA2 Muscle Car field yet, so we can’t wait to hit the track for practice on Friday,” said Denyer.

“The teams have put in a massive effort to ensure the cars really look the part, and I’m sure this weekend will turn on the most intense racing we have seen in the short history of TA2 in Australia.”

“Fans will be able to watch the action live and free on the TA2 Racing facebook page, bringing TA2 closer to Australian race fans than ever before.”

“I haven’t actually touched the car since the burnout after taking the championship in Sydney, but i’m definitely looking forward to getting back on track at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend,” said Jarvis.

“This year we have some young guys who are genuinely using TA2 as a stepping stone so they’re definitely going to raise the bar. Aaron [Seton] will be fast, George [Miedecke] has already proven that he’ll be the man to beat as well, so it’s definitely going to be the most competitive season we’ve seen in TA2.”

“Since I was ten years old I have always ran with my trusty number #22 in Speedway and Go Karting and it’s brought me some good luck and fortune in the past, so I thought we’d continue the tradition and run that number rather than the number one for this season.”

“Lighthouse Electrical returns as our major backer for the season, whilst we are excited to welcome JV Plumbing and Auto Upgrade as new team partners, as well as returning sponsors Ormeau Physio and Lighting Empire.”

“I’d also like to thank the support of my parents Paul and Karen who’ll join me at the track this weekend, as well as our mechanic Ben Croft and my wife Rhea.”

The TA2 Muscle Car Series will commence with three practice sessions on Friday, followed by qualifying and two races on Saturday, and the remaining two races on Sunday. Spectator entry will be free both days, with Saturday and Sunday's action will be live streamed courtesy of Blend Line TV on the TA2 Racing facebook page.

TA2 Racing Australia management has today confirmed a six-round calendar for the 2019 TA2 Muscle Car Series.

The series will visit five seperate venues in four states, including the series’ maiden visit to South Australia at The Bend Motorsport Park, the recently completed state-of-the-art motorsport precinct at Tailem Bend.

The season will commence at the venue of the 2018 finale at Sydney Motorsport Park, supporting the opening round of the Australian Production Car Series promoted by Sherrin Motorsport.

The Bend’s visit encompasses one of three rounds headlining the Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS) program, with Morgan Park (round two) and a return to Sydney Motorsport Park for round five.

“We are excited that TA2 has chosen to increase their involvement with the AMRS in 2019,” said Lewis-Williams.

“To have a huge grid of V8 TA2 cars thundering around at selected AMRS rounds is great for the continued growth of the Australian Motor Racing Series in our second year.

“We are proud to be able to offer the kind of race meeting experience that the TA2 racers want and we see our relationship going from strength to strength in future years.”

The series’ sole visit to Winton will take place in mid-August at a state-level meeting at the regional Victorian circuit.

With over 32 cars now sold nationally, TA2 has expanded its roots from being a Queensland-centric series, to a true East Coast championship covering some of the best Australian motor racing circuits, and with a significantly higher profile talent bank of drivers, including former Toyota 86 Series regular Aaron Seton, Audi TT Cup racer Drew Ridge, Formula Ford graduate Nathan Herne and former Super2 and GT driver George Miedecke, .

“I’m so excited about TA2 in 2019. We had a great weekend supporting the Bathurst 12 Hour and hopefully that means our team will be strong championship contenders,” said Miedecke.

“The calendar looks great with some awesome circuits and lots of variation, I’m especially looking forward to heading to The Bend for the first time.

“The racing should be great too - with these young guys coming in and the established series regulars, I don’t expect Aaron Seton and I will have an easy time of it!”

The Queensland-born series has expanded from its roots at Queensland Raceway, dropping from three events to one at the Ipswich circuit, as the series books their first visit to Warwick’s Morgan Park raceway in April with the AMRS.

Queensland Raceway will play host to the final round of the series in November, with talks in place to hold a twilight endurance race on the Saturday evening, with the venue looking to install lights to enable night racing from mid year.

“We have tried to maintain the balance of lower cost racing, which has been the success of TA2 in its infancy, while expanding the series to include different experiences for the drivers, higher profile media coverage and variety in the race formats,” explained TA2 Muscle Car Series manager Craig Denyer.

“We are keen to do an endurance race of at least one hour, which may be double points during the season, and follow the progress of Queensland Raceway’s lighting programme which could offer something special for TA2 as a final round.”

Round One at Sydney Motorsport Park on March 1/3 will be streamed live through Blend Line TV and the ‘TA2 Racing’ facebook page, where drivers will once again be fighting for the ‘Performax Cup’ championship.

2019 TA2 Muscle Car Series Calendar

Round 1 - Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW (Sherrin Motorsport) - March 1/3

Round 2 - Morgan Park Raceway, QLD (AMRS) - April 5/7

Round 3 - The Bend Motorsport Park, SA (AMRS) - June 21/23

Round 4 - Winton Motor Raceway, VIC - August 16/18

Round 5 - Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW (AMRS) - September 27/29

Round 6 - Queensland Raceway, QLD (RACERS) - November 1/3

The third and final race for the Skye Sands Combined Sedans, including 13 cars from the TA2 Muscle Car Series will be live streamed online.

Please find the link below, with cars on track at 3:50pm local time.

Australia: https://www.bathurst12hour.com.au/streams-tv/australia/

New Zealand: https://www.bathurst12hour.com.au/streams-tv/new-zealand/

Global: https://www.bathurst12hour.com.au/streams-tv/international-streaming/

A strong showing from the TA2 Muscle Car Series at the Bathurst 12 Hour concluded on Saturday afternoon with the third and final race with the Skye Sands Combined Sedans support category.

Dodge Challenger George Miedecke emerged as the clear pace setter in the 13-car TA2 contingent, with the former Super 2, V8 Ute and Australian GT racer firmly announcing himself as a serious title contender for the 2019 series.

After a strong run in the opening two races, Ford Mustang racer Ian McAlister’s weekend ended early after finding the wall coming over skyline on lap five while battling with Matthew Ingram’s Mazda RX8.

After ending race two in the gravel trap, Rusty French elected to sit out the final race of the weekend, leaving 10 of the 13 TA2 cars to start and finish every race of the weekend after Greg Willis’ fuel pump issue before race two.

Miedecke finished third outright in the final race of the weekend, leading home two-time American TA2 champion Gar Robinson in fifth, while Hugh McAlister finished third for the weekend after a seventh place finish in the final outing.

Russell Wright and Michael Kulig also scored top ten finishes in eighth and tenth respectively.

Peter Robinson and Anthony Tenkate enjoyed a race long battle, as the pair followed Kulig home just outside of the top ten.

Greg Willis drove a strong final race to climbing 20 positions from the rear of the grid to finish 25th, while Cameron Sendall, Don Dimitriadis and Mark Crutcher all took the chequered flag after three consistent showings.

Reflecting on the weekend, Miedecke was impressed by the performance of the TA2 cars throughout the weekend which allowed him to battle at the front of the Combined Sedans field.

“I’m stoked to take the win this weekend. They say you can’t have too much of a good thing, but I don’t think you can have too much of TA2 at Bathurst!”

“I think we’ve got a pretty good grip on the car now. It would have been nice to have Aaron [Seton] here this weekend to give us a real gauge on how we were going but the lap times speak for themselves, the car was absolutely honking!”

After joining the series at the final round of the 2018 season, Miedecke praised the TA2 package and looks forward to his upcoming championship campaign.

“I’m not surprised by how this series is growing. These cars are just awesome and they’ve been Australian motorsport’s best kept secret for the last couple of years.

“Now people are starting to see them on the track, they see them lifting wheels and spitting flames and doing all this cool stuff, also the fact that these cars are very cost effective to run.

“Bring on the rest of the season, I don’t think i’ve ever been so prepared for a championship in my life, so to come here and grab a trophy and go home knowing we’re on the right track is a really good feeling.”

The TA2 Muscle Car Series will announce their 2019 plans shortly.