Saloon Car Champion joins TA2 Muscle Car Series

Posted on 16 October 2018
Saloon Car Champion joins TA2 Muscle Car Series

Two-time Australian Saloon Car Champion Simon Tabinor will contest the final round of the 2018 Performax TA2 Muscle Car Series at Sydney Motorsport Park ahead of a full-season campaign in 2019.

The Victorian racer will make his debut at the seventh and final round of this year’s series in what represents a return to national-level competition after stints in HQ Holdens, Saloon Cars and the Kumho V8 Touring Car Series.

Tabinor will race the #45 Ford Mustang supported by South Eastern European - Prestige Vehicle Specialists and EPD - Exclusive Plumbing and Drainage.

The expat Brit first observed the series at the opening round at Winton before committing to enter with the Mustang.

“I saw the series at their first round at Winton and what impressed me most was how the cars are so well built, they’re proper race cars and everyone has the same equipment,” said Tabinor.

“I’ve won a couple of nationals championships, Victorian titles and races in England but after a while all you want to do is go to the track, race your car and enjoy yourself without requiring a rocket scientist to set it up.

“The cars are awesome, the parity is ace and the people are fantastic. They could not have been more welcoming and everyone is so enthusiastic about the series.”

Tabinor experienced the Mustang for the first time at a test outing last month at Winton.

“They’ve got heaps of power, they stop well, they turn well and the handling was fantastic because they’ve got a locking diff, so the car points really well.

“It’s not like a Supercar where they’re snappy and trying to fire you off the track. If a Supercar isn’t in their perfect setup window then they aren’t great to drive.

“The TA2 car is so easy to drive and you can drive around the setup. If the car’s not doing something at a certain corner than you can easily change your entry or your braking.”

Heading to the season finale at Sydney Motorsport Park, Tabinor aims for a trouble-free weekend to further the development of the car leading into the 2019 series.

“If we can bring the car back straight without any issues that’s the main thing, but we’ll see how we go in practice and qualifying and go from there.”

“We’re certainly not expecting anything at this stage, but we’ll race as hard as we can at every round and if we’re good enough than we’re good enough, if not then we’ll have to get better!”

Tabinor joins a host of new cars and drivers with a record grid set for the series finale, with further details including a full entry list to be revealed shortly.

Lighthouse Electrical Chevrolet Camaro driver Ashley Jarvis holds a 16-point lead in the Performax Cup standings from the RoadBees Transport Mustang of Russell Wright, with the McAlister Motors/Performax Mustang of Hugh McAlister a further 19 points adrift with one round remaining.

The final round of the Performax TA2 Muscle Car Series will be held at Sydney Motorsport Park on October 26-28, featuring at the penultimate event of the Australian Motor Racing Series.

 

25th Car Sold for TA2 Muscle Car Series

Posted on 24 September 2018

TA2 Racing Australia management have today announced the sale of over 25 cars as the grid continues to build in Australia ahead of a planned expansion in 2019.

Performax TA2 Muscle Car Series manager Craig Denyer and PBR Distribution’s Peter Robinson made the announcement alongside a new Ford Mustang for former Sports Sedan racer Tim Tritton that will hit the track at the series’ final round at Sydney Motorsport Park on October 27/28.

The series launched in Australia in 2016 as a cost-effective state-level racing platform, but expanded to a national calendar of events for the first time in 2018.

The series has already welcomed the likes for former Toyota 86 Series racer Aaron Seton, Prodrive Racing Australia co-owner Rusty French, and next round former national Saloon Car champion Simon Tabinor along with Audi TT Cup racer Drew Ridge will join the field.

The category recently placed an order for another eight cars to head down under, taking the total car count to 33 cars by the end of this year, including a two-seater Chevrolet Camaro ride car for corporate rides and drive days.

Denyer confirmed ongoing discussions are being held with a variety of event promoters to put together a national calendar of events for 2019, and aims to have a calendar revealed shortly.

“It’s a very exciting time for the TA2 Muscle Car Series at the moment, we are shaping up to have grids of over 20 cars at every championship round in 2019, which could be as high as 24 or 26 at some events.”

“These cars are landed in Australia for about $130,000 fully turn-key, ready to race and cost less than $2000 per round to run, which is outstanding value for a racing package of this calibre.

“Engines can last up to four seasons, tyres are only $250 each, and you would be hard pressed to wear out a set of pads or rotors in a season.”

Aaron Seton dominated the penultimate round of the series at Queensland Raceway, taking pole position and a clean sweep of all four races as he climbed to sixth in the Performax Cup standings. The third-generation racer rates the series very highly.

“They’re somewhere between a NASCAR and a Supercar to drive, they’re high horsepower, low aero and low grip so they’re a lot of fun to drive and a platform that produces great racing, plus because the series is so tightly controlled and the cars are so even, it’s great for honing your race craft,” Seton said.

Denyer believes the series can cater for both aspiring racers and gentleman drivers.

“It’s not just the gentleman drivers that enjoy the category, there’s more young drivers coming through and a real dynamic change as the series establishes itself as a true feeder category for Australian motorsport.

“There’s currently a big step for example between the Toyota 86 Series and Kumho V8’s or Dunlop Super 2, so for any driver aspiring to a Supercars career, TA2 fits perfectly as a bridge between those categories.”

Peter Robinson, the importer of the TA2 cars has been overwhelmed by the growth of the series this year.

“The interest in the TA2 cars from the racing industry and the general public has been unbelievable, I don’t know another class of motorsport in Australia that’s taken off like this category has,” said Robinson.

“We have received many enquiries from first time racers, Speedway racers and drivers who have been around in other categories of circuit racing and are looking for a great bang-for-buck racing experience.”

PBR Distribution's Peter Robinson with TA2 newcomer Tim Tritton and Performax TA2 Muscle Car Series Manager Craig Denyer making the major announcement of over 25 cars sold for the series. 

The Howe Racing Enterprises-constructed TA2 platform is used in a variety of categories around the world, including the Trans-Am Series in America, the Costa Rican Touring Car Championship, the V8 Thunder Cars in Scandinavia, the Danish Thundersport Championship, Trans-Am Euro Racing, and a TA2 series has recently been launched in Asia by expat Kiwi Craig Corliss.

“TA2, based on the American Trans-Am formula and a Trans-Am class in its own right has proven itself to be an extremely popular and successful category in America and Europe, and now we are seeing huge growth here in Australia as well as in Asia,” explained Robinson.

“We are very busy in the workshop with more cars coming from America later this year. We now have a technical engineer full-time working on the cars as the series continues to grow from strength-to-strength.”

Just 16-points separate series leader Ashley Jarvis in the Lighthouse Electrical Chevrolet Camaro from second-placed Russell Wright’s RoadBees Transport Ford Mustang with one round remaining.

The final round of the 2018 Performax TA2 Muscle Car Series takes place with the Australian Motor Racing Series at Sydney Motorsport Park on October 27/28, with an awards presentation dinner to be held on the Sunday night.

 

Seton Wins as Jarvis Holds TA2 Series Lead

Posted on 16 September 2018
Seton Wins as Jarvis Holds TA2 Series Lead
Chevrolet Camaro driver Ashley Jarvis edged out a 16-point series lead with a consistent weekend at round six of the Performax TA2 Muscle Car Series at Queensland Raceway. The Gold Coaster finished equal second on points for the round in the Lighthouse Electrical Camaro, with title rival Hugh McAlister taking the second step of the podium as a result of finishing higher than Jarvis in the last race in the McAlister Motors/Performax Mustang. Ford Mustang driver Aaron Seton continued his dominant form with another two wins today, adding to his two wins from yesterday to clean sweep the weekend. Reigning series champion Russell Wright struck trouble today after a clutch and rear brake failure in race three forced him into a spin while attempting a pass on Hugh McAlister at turn three on lap 14. The race was sent into a clampdown period on lap seven as New South Welshman Mark Crutcher experienced a brake failure at turn four at over 200kph, which in turn caused a grass fire which damaged the Crutcher Developments Camaro and forced him to sit out the final race of the weekend. Seton took another green-to-chequered victory in race four. Jarvis held second for the majority of the race and did his best to hold off Hugh McAlister, before his tyres fell away and McAlister got past Jarvis with a move around the outside of turn three on lap ten. Wright fought back from the rear of the grid before rear tyre pressure issues halted his charge to sixth. Series debutant Murray Kent failed to finish the final race with wheel stud issues, but showed promising speed all weekend in the Camaro prepared by former Supercars engineer Paul Forgie. With a clean sweep of the weekend, Seton won the round from Hugh McAlister and Jarvis, as Jarvis maintains his Performax Cup series lead from Wright and McAlister a further 19 points adrift. Ian McAlister took the Masters Award with an outright fourth place finish for the weekend. Reflecting on his performance, Seton praised the TA2 Series as a development category for young drivers. “The key to these cars is being really smooth and looking after the tyres. It’s an awesome series to come into and learn the skills and develop as a driver. “I’m feeling really comfortable in the Castrol Harris Racing Mustang now and we’re always trying to improve it each time we go out, they’re a great car to drive.” “I can’t thank Craig Harris from Castrol Harris Racing enough for the opportunity to race in the TA2 series this year, and I’m looking forward to the final round at Sydney Motorsport Park.” The final round for the 2018 Performax TA2 Muscle Car Series will be held at Sydney Motorsport Park on October 26/28. Photo Credit: Matthew Paul
 

Seton Dominates Day One at Queensland Raceway

Posted on 15 September 2018
Seton Dominates Day One at Queensland Raceway
Ford Mustang driver Aaron Seton dominated all three on-track sessions with pole position and two race wins to take the ascendancy on day one at round six of the Performax TA2 Muscle Car Series at Queensland Raceway. Seton set a sizzling lap time in qualifying to take his fourth consecutive series pole position with a 1:13.0 from Hugh McAlister and Russell Wright, while series leader Ashley Jarvis was penalised for contact with Cameron Sendall’s Camaro at turn six. Jarvis was relegated to fifth behind series debutant Murray Kent’s Camaro while Sendall was also penalised for the incident. The Castrol Harris Racing driver dominated race one and set a new race lap record of 1:14.2, lowering his own previous benchmark set at round four, while Wright passed Hugh McAlister at turn six to move into second place on lap three. Jarvis jumped Kent for fourth on the opening lap, and closed in on McAlister and Wright over the final laps, while Seton hung on to win by just over two seconds at the end of the 12 lap sprint. Seton again lead the field away for race two. Peter Robinson’s Dodge and Murray Kent’s Camaro came together under brakes into turn six, as Kent spun off track and recovered from the back of the grid to ninth. Jarvis passed Wright on lap eight, as the reigning series champion slowed due to fuel pressure issues and fell back to fourth behind Hugh McAlister. Ian McAlister and Anthony Tenkate enjoyed a race-long duel for fifth, before Tenkate dropped a wheel off at turn four on the final lap, letting Peter Robinson and Mark Crutcher through to take sixth and seventh respectively. Seton was pleased with his efforts today, which involved a new track record, race lap record, pole position and two race wins. “It was great racing out there today with Ashley [Jarvis], Hugh [McAlister] and Rusty [Wright]. I really enjoyed it and I’ve gained some great experience with these cars every time I drive them.” “The car feels really good in those first couple of laps of the race which helps me to build a gap and manage it for the duration.” “I really enjoy being out there in the TA2 cars, they’re great fun to drive and i’m learning a lot from racing them.” There are two another two races set down for tomorrow at Queensland Raceway, the penultimate round of the Performax TA2 Muscle Car Series. Photo Credit: Matthew Paul
 

All You Need to Know - Round 6 Ipswich

Posted on 13 September 2018
All You Need to Know - Round 6 Ipswich
2018 Performax TA2 Muscle Car SeriesRound: 6 of 7Circuit: Queensland RacewayLocation: Ipswich, QLDEvent: QRDC Rd 5Circuit Length: 3.12km Corners: 6 Key Corner: Turns 1 & 2 Tickets: Free Friday, $20, Saturday, $30 Sunday, weekend pass $40. Tickets to be purchased at the gate Support Categories: Excel Cup, QLD Sports Cars, Super Karts, Group N Historic Touring Cars, Production Sports, QR Sports & Sedans Live Timing: http://racing.natsoft.com.au/results/ To Access: Circuit Racing - Look for Event - QRDC RD 5 (Queensland Raceway Raceway) Live Streaming: This event will not be live streamed. Stay tuned to the TA2 Facebook Page and YouTube channel for video content during the event. SCHEDULE Friday  Private Practice Saturday Qualifying: 9:50am Race 1: 11:55am Race 2: 3:05pm Sunday Race 3: 9:40am Race 4: 1:40pm ENTRY LIST#4 - Mark Crutcher (NSW), Chevrolet Camaro - Crutcher Developments #5 - Ian McAlister (NSW), Ford Mustang - McAlister Motors/Performax #6 - Hugh McAlister (NSW), Ford Mustang - McAlister Motors/Performax #7 - Michael Kulig (QLD), Chevrolet Camaro - Kulig Engineering #10 - Peter Robinson (QLD), Dodge Challenger - PBR Distributions/BStyled For Life #14 - Cameron Sendall (QLD), Chevrolet Camaro - PBR Distributions/BStyled For Life #22 - Ashley Jarvis (QLD), Chevrolet Camaro - Jarvis Racing/Lighthouse Electrical #44 - Guy Gibbons (QLD), Chevrolet Camaro - Cross Torque Racing/Surety IT #55 - Russell Wright (QLD), Ford Mustang - RoadBees Transport #69 - Anthony Tenkate (QLD), Ford Mustang - Tenkate Plant Hire/Performax #74 - Murray Kent (QLD), Chevrolet Camaro - Underground Civil Supplies #88 - Aaron Seton (QLD), Ford Mustang - Castrol Harris Racing #92 - Scott Textor (QLD), Dodge Challenger - Textor RacingWHO TO WATCH OUT FOR: Series Leader: Ashley Jarvis - #22 Lighthouse Electrical Chev Camaro Man in Form: Aaron Seton - #88 Castrol Harris Racing Ford Mustang New Racer: Murray Kent - #74 Underground Civil Supplies Chev Camaro CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (TOP FIVE): 1st: Ashley Jarvis - 454 2nd: Russell Wright - 451 3rd: Hugh McAlister - 419 4th: Ian McAlister - 399 5th: Cameron Sendall - 385