The Trans-Am 2 Performax Cup has announced a 14-car grid for the category’s inaugural national series event at the first round of the new Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS) at Winton Motor Raceway on March 9-11.

The series’ inaugural Victorian event will feature seven Ford Mustangs, five Chevrolet Camaros, and two Dodge Challengers with entries split among drivers from Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Russell Wright (Ford Mustang) returns looking for national honours after he sealed the Queensland championship in 2017. He will be joined by Australian Trans-Am compatriot Anthony Tenkate (Ford Mustang), former Group C and V8 Supercar driver Craig Harris (Ford Mustang) and Touring Car Masters racer Don Dimitriadis in a Dan Gurney tribute Ford Mustang.

Father and son duo Ian and Hugh McAlister expand to a two-car Ford Mustang outfit this season, while Hugh’s previous Generation-Five Camaro will be raced by former one-make Nissan Pulsar racer Mark Crutcher.

Former Australian GT racer Darren Berry switches to Trans-Am 2 in a Gulf Oil-inspired Chevrolet Camaro, and will be joined in the Camaro ranks by Ashley Jarvis and former V8 Utes racer Greg Willis.

Tickford Racing Supercar team co-owner Rusty French will miss his home round with clashing commitments at the Phillip Island Classic, while Chad Cotton (Ford Mustang), Peter Robinson (Dodge Challenger) and first-time circuit racers Scott Textor (Dodge Challenger) and Cameron Sendall (Chevrolet Camaro) complete the grid.

National category manager Craig Harris has confirmed 17 cars have been sold to competitors around the country, with a grid approaching 25 cars anticipated by the end of the year.

“We currently have 21 cars in the country ready to go, and another order arriving in June will take that to 25,” said Harris.

“We’ve had so much interest from around the country from drivers who want to race these cars, and when you look at their affordability and performance it’s not hard to see why.

“They look great, they sound great, they’re fast and the racing is close on track. It ticks all the boxes in what you want in a race car.

“The engines, gearboxes and ECUs are all sealed. So when the cars are strictly controlled across the board, it all comes down to the driver and the racing on track is extremely tight as a result.

“We can’t wait to get to Winton to launch a great year ahead for the Performax Cup.”

A full event schedule for round one of the 2018 Performax Cup at Winton Motor Raceway will be confirmed shortly.

ENTRY LIST 2018 Performax Cup - Round 1, Winton Motor Raceway (VIC)

#2 - Don Dimitriadis (NSW), Ford Mustang #4 - Mark Crutcher (NSW), Chevrolet Camaro #5 - Ian McAlister (NSW), Ford Mustang #6 - Hugh McAlister (NSW), Ford Mustang #10 - Peter Robinson (QLD), Dodge Challenger #14 - Cameron Sendall (QLD), Chevrolet Camaro #20 - Darren Berry (QLD), Chevrolet Camaro #22 - Ashley Jarvis (QLD), Chevrolet Camaro #44 - Greg Willis (QLD), Chevrolet Camaro #55 - Russell Wright (QLD), Ford Mustang #69 - Anthony Tenkate (QLD), Ford Mustang #88 - Craig Harris (QLD), Ford Mustang #92 - Scott Textor (QLD), Dodge Challenger #222 - Chad Cotton (ACT,) Ford Mustang

Performax is the leader in right-hand-drive conversion technology in the Asia Pacific region, and a dominant force in supplying Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Nissan and Toyota American pick-up trucks to the Australian market.

The deal will see Performax secure the naming rights for the series set to be known as The Performax Cup.

Trans-Am 2 Category Manager Craig Harris welcomes the new partnership with Performax as a feather in the cap for the growing category.

“We’re thrilled to announce the partnership with Performax and Trans-Am 2 as we expand to a national series in 2018,” said Harris. 

“Trans-Am 2 has proven to be a hit with racers and fans both young and old. They’re loud, they’re fast and the racing is spectacular.”

“We look forward to working closely with the team at Performax to showcase their brand across the country.”

Performax International Director Greg Waters said that his company had a long history as a premium importer and converter of American muscle cars.

“That is the essential link in supporting Trans-Am 2 and Performax is delighted to become involved in this growing category,” said Mr Waters.

“Performax American Pickups are the perfect tow-vehicle for drivers and we have a long and successful history of supporting teams involved in motorsport racing throughout Australia.

“Performax is looking forward to a mutually beneficial partnership and a successful 2018 season.”

The category is closing in on a 20 car grid for the 2018 season, as the series welcomes former Touring Car Masters racer Don Dimitriadis and two-time Bathurst 12 Hour winner Garry Holt in a pair of Ford Mustangs.

The 2018 Performax Cup for Trans-Am 2 is due to begin at Winton Motor Raceway on March 10-11 as part of round one of the new Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS).

Before then, Trans-Am 2 will feature at a major showcase event which will be announced shortly.

The Trans-Am 2 Australia category has unveiled plans for a national series to commence in 2018, expanding to events in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

Series management have confirmed a seven-event calendar for the 2018 season containing six championship rounds, as well as an invitational event at the Muscle Car Masters at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Trans-Am 2 is the current evolution of America’s Trans-Am Series catering for modern V8-powered Trans-Am muscle cars, comprising of a purpose-built space-frame Howe Racing Enterprises chassis and a controlled GM Motorsport engine package developing 525 horsepower.

The Australian Trans-Am 2 Racing Series will commence at Winton Motor Raceway in March, featuring at the opening round of the new Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS).

The AMRS will later host Trans-Am 2 rounds at Wakefield Park and Sydney Motorsport Park, where competitors will enjoy the added exposure of live streaming and a dedicated 30-minute TV program on Foxtel channel Aurora after each AMRS event.

"It's a well-balanced calendar that focuses on our roots in Queensland, while also forming a basis for our planned national expansion," said Trans-Am 2 Category Manager Craig Harris.

"We're excited to host the opening round of the national series at Winton Motor Raceway, our first event in Victoria.”

The series is in talks to stage an international Trans-Am event at the Muscle Car Masters, welcoming drivers from the Trans-Am Series in the US, Asia and Europe to race against the local drivers.

“Trans-Am 2 is a growing formula around the world and it’s a great time to kickstart our growth here in Australia,” said Harris.

Series management have confirmed 15 cars already sold to competitors in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, including to Prodrive Racing Australia co-owner Rusty French, with 21 cars arriving in the country ahead of the 2018 season.

"Trans-Am 2 will be a great series for competitors. They're fast, they're market relevant and the running costs are very low."

"Importantly, the fan reaction has been tremendous. The cars look great on track, they sound great and it taps into the Ford vs GM rivalry that Australian race fans know and love, with the Mopar thrown in for good measure."

Harris, a former Supercars driver himself, believes it's an ideal category for young drivers to learn and develop the skills required to progress to Supercars away from the spotlight.

"They have similar driving characteristics, and it provides a chance for drivers to learn about using the MoTeC system for data analysis."

"They're great fun to drive. There's over 525 horsepower, but with all the creature comforts expected of a modern race car."

Full Trans-Am 2 technical specifications and series information are now available on the category's relaunched website, www.ta2racingaustralia.com.au.

Further invitational events will be announced in due course.

2018 AUSTRALIAN TRANS-AM 2 CALENDAR Round 1: Winton Motor Raceway (AMRS) March 10/11 Round 2: Queensland Raceway (Ipswich Festival of Cars) April 20/22 Round 3: Queensland Raceway (2 Days of Thunder) June 22/24 Round 4: Wakefield Park (AMRS) August 18-19 Round 5: Queensland Raceway (QRDC) September 14/16 Round 6: Sydney Motorsport Park (AMRS) October 27/28 Invitational: Sydney Motorsport Park (Muscle Car Masters) Date TBA

The 2017 Trans-Am 2 Australia Series draws to a close this weekend, as the Queensland Trans-Am 2 Racing Series heads to Lakeside Park for their season finale on September 30-October 1 in support of the Lakeside 300 endurance race.

Eight cars will hit the track to round out the season, including the debut of Sports Sedan racer George Kulig, and Saloon Cars racer Paul Jarvis in Chevrolet Camaros. Jarvis will take the reigns of the car owned by his son, Ashley, who will focus on his commitments in the Lakeside 300 endurance race.

Mustang driver Russell Wright (460 points) currently holds a dominant 103-point lead over Anthony Tenkate (357 points), with 105 points up for grabs across qualifying and the four races at the historic Lakeside circuit.

In what has been a building year for the series, category manager Craig Harris is impressed with the level of interest garnered leading into a breakout 2018 season.

“We’re at the stage of confirming our 2018 calendar. I would suggest we’ll see a lot more interest in the category once that calendar is revealed,” said Harris.

“We’ll have close to 20 cars on track by early next year.”

“It’s very cost-effective racing, we don’t spend more money trying to go quicker than the next car as they don’t require that level of maintenance.”

“The fan response has been great. They’re fast, good-looking cars, they sound great and they throw flames on down changes.”

The final round of the 2017 Queensland Trans-Am 2 Racing Series commences with general practice on Friday, followed by qualifying and four races to conclude the 2017 racing season.