20-year old Aaron Seton has continued his strong form from 2018 to dominate the opening day of the 2019 TA2 Muscle Car Series at Sydney Motorsport Park.

The Castrol Harris Racing Mustang driver scored his sixth straight pole position, with a new track record at a 1:33.5437, over seven-tenths of a second ahead of George Miedecke, who joined Seton on the front row in the Miedecke Motorsport Ford Mustang.

The opening race saw a length safety-car period from lap three as a result of Tim Tritton coming unstuck on the exit of turn five, and Chris La Rosa who spun off the track on the exit of turn eight hairpin after battling early with George Elliot. Tritton and La Rosa have withdrawn from the weekend following these seperate incidents.

The race resumed with two laps remaining, as Seton fended off George Miedecke to take the win by less than a second, Australian racing stalwart and series debutant Andrew Miedecke withstood a strong charge from reigning Victorian and New South Wales Formula Ford champion Nathan Herne in a race-long stows to finish third, as reigning TA2 Performax Cup champion Ashley Jarvis complete the top five.

Race two ran green for the full distance, as Seton was pressured by George Miedecke again throughout the race but ultimately prevailed by two seconds as tyre management and lapped traffic played a factor.

Herne staged a great move on Andrew Miedecke at turn one to jump to third on lap two, and also claimed the fastest lap of the race at a 1:36.41.

The battle of the race saw Ashley Jarvis withstand waves of attacks from Russell Wright and Hugh McAlister for fifth spot over Russell Wright and Hugh McAlister, with great battles enjoyed throughout the field that now sits at 22 cars.

Murray Kent scored his personal best TA2 result in eighth, from Drew Ridge and Kubota Racing driver Matt MacKelden to complete the top ten at the end of race two.

Seton was happy to start of the year on the right foot, and acknowledged the lift in competition and presentation of the series.

“It was an awesome day for us at Castrol Harris Racing collecting pole and both race wins to start the year off well,” said Seton.

“The car was incredible to drive and everything came together for that qualifying lap this morning, combined with parts of the circuit that were recently resurfaced, a lot of factors also came in to play.

“I really enjoyed racing hard with George Miedecke and Nathan Herne in the second race as they pushed me all the way to the end.

“It’s also great to welcome so many new drivers to the series this year, we have 25 here this weekend and the racing has been awesome so far.

“We’ll make some small improvements overnight and hope to build on our results tomorrow.

“Thanks as always to Craig Harris from Castrol Harris Racing and Don Dimitriadis for their support as I wouldn’t be here without them.”

The TA2 Muscle Car Series returns to Sydney Motorsport Park for races three and four on Sunday.

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