TA2 Launch Bumper Season at Lakeside
 "TA2 Launch Bumper Season at Lakeside")
The all-new Trans-Am 2 Australia Series will launch into their first full season of racing at the historic Lakeside Park, with the ultimate American showroom showdown featuring at the Peter Brock Lakeside Tribute Meeting on March 18 and 19.
While 13 of the 17 available cars have been acquired so far, nine will take to the legendary Brisbane circuit with the meeting set to host the maiden competitive outing for the brand new Dodge Challenger TA2 body in Australia in the hands of series founder Peter Robinson.
The striking Plum Crazy Purple colour scheme on the Dodge Challenger was revealed to the public at the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour in February, where Trans-Am 2 held a promotional display while Ian McAlister raced his Ford Mustang TA2 to third in the space-frame class of the Riverwall Constructions Combined Sedans support category.
The McAlister Motors team has expanded to two cars for the 2017 season, with Ian’s son Hugh McAlister igniting a father-son battle on track in a Generation-5 Chevrolet Camaro for his debut in Trans-Am 2.
Fellow series debutant Anthony Tenkate joins the series in a Ford Mustang TA2, the Sunshine Coast racer is set for double-duties in his 1969 Ford Mustang that he campaigns in the Australian Trans-Am Series. Mustang racer Russell Wright will also campaign in both categories across the weekend.
Trans-Am 2 category manager Craig Harris is looking forward to putting on a show for the Lakeside fans.
“There is going to be some good, hard racing on show this weekend. The racing at the front will be very close as we now have a championship to race for,” said Harris.
“With some new cars coming out, Hugh McAlister in his Camaro, Anthony Tenkate in his new Mustang, and a few cars that have had a freshen up over the off-season. It will also be the first outing for the new Dodge, so we’re set for an exciting weekend.”
“The interest is still very high in the category, with three cars now in New South Wales and one in Victoria.
The Trans-Am 2 series has aligned with the Australian Trans-Am Series for the 2017 season, with both series campaigning at headlines events on the Queensland motorsport calendar. The series has also partnered with the New South Wales Sports Sedans category, with a selection of Queensland-based drivers joining their New South Wales counterparts for a ‘race within a race’ commencing at Wakefield Park on April 1/2. Further New South Wales and Victorian dates are to be confirmed.
2017 Queensland Trans-Am 2 CalendarRound 1: Lakeside Tribute, Lakeside Park - March 18/19 Round 2: Ipswich Festival of Cars, Queensland Raceway - May 6/7 Round 3: Two Days of Thunder, Queensland Raceway - June 17/18 Round 4: Queensland Racing Drivers Championship, Queensland Raceway - July 8/9 Round 5: Lakeside Classic, Lakeside Park - August 12/13 Round 6: Lakeside 300, Lakeside Park - September 30/October 1
TA2 Set to Launch in Asia
 "TA2 Set to Launch in Asia")
Following its Australian launch in 2016, America’s Trans-Am TA2 formula is preparing for a series launch in Asia this weekend.
The brainchild of the TA2 Asian expansion is expat Kiwi Craig Corliss, known for his racing exploits in the region in an ex-Triple Eight Holden Commodore V8 Supercar. Corliss will launch the series in Thailand, with plans underway to expand into Indonesia, China, South Korea, Vietnam and Malaysia.
TA2 Asia utilises the same space-frame chassis from American constructor Howe Racing Enterprises as used in the Australian Trans-Am 2 Series, and the controlled GM Racing V8 engine package producing 525 horsepower.
Corliss stresses that some adjustments have been made to suit Asian racing expectations.
“The car is manufactured in the USA and the quality, workmanship and finish is very high. However we elected to upgrade the car in a few ways to make it more driver-friendly, especially for the amateur driver.
“From the factory finished car we have put in a 6-speed sequential gearbox with paddle-shift controls, put in the full M150 MoTeC system, and we have a Ford 9-inch Detroit locking diff with traction control.”
The New Zealander believes the TA2 formula is ideal for drivers to be able to learn and showcase their skills.
“We’re looking forward to seeing very close and exciting racing. It’s a one-make series and we control the parts, so it all comes down to the driver and the crew’s setup.
“It’s very exciting for Thai motorsport, we’re looking to get thirty cars on the grid,” said Corliss.
A demonstration of the first TA2 Asia car is scheduled for this week’s Bangsaen grand Prix, where leading American Trans-Am driver Shane Lewis will put a Ford Mustang TA2 through its paces around the Thai street circuit.
Discussions have already taken place with Australian TA2 management, with a goal to host a combined Asia vs Australia TA2 challenge in the future.
The TA2 formula has already made its mark in Australia, with 17 cars in the country ahead of their first full season of racing, commencing at the Lakeside Tribute on March 18-19.
New Generation Mustang Set For Bathurst Debut
 "New Generation Mustang Set For Bathurst Debut")
The upcoming Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour weekend will feature the Bathurst racing debut of the new generation Ford Mustang, with a TA2 specification of Ford’s legendary muscle car set to take on the Mountain.
Experienced TCM, V8 Utes and Production Car racer Ian McAlister will campaign his sixth generation TA2 Ford Mustang in the Riverwall Constructions Combined Sedans, a support category to the international GT endurance race.
The TA2 cars feature a space-frame chassis from Howe Racing Enterprises with a controlled GM Racing V8 engine package developing 525 horsepower, and bodies representing three of America’s iconic muscle cars in the Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger.
The Young-based Ford dealer will race the McAlister Motors-supported entry in three 10-lap races across Friday and Saturday of the 12 hour weekend. McAlister is no stranger to the Mount Panorama circuit, and is looking forward to returning to Bathurst in a 2016-specification Mustang.
“The Trans-Am 2 series has given me a great chance to market my business as a Ford dealer and it’s paid off handsomely. We do sell plenty of Mustangs and i’ve always been a Mustang fan, it’s the icon of the brand,” said McAlister.
“This will be the most pure race car i’ve ever driven up there, they certainly do everything right and i’m looking forward to experiencing that on the Mountain.
“It’s such a demanding track. There is a hill going up, a fantastic straight going down and with all the corners across the top of the mountain it’s got all the variables you want in a race track, but it’s very hard to set a car up to try and handle all those different variables.”
The Trans-Am 2 Australia Series will also have an off-track presence at the event, with a display in the Combined Sedans support paddock. Series founder Peter Robinson and drivers Cameron Sendall and Hugh McAlister will be on hand to promote the category to fans, media and fellow competitors. Pending arrival in late January, on show will be a new TA2 Dodge Challenger as the first TA2 race car in the world to have a lightweight carbon composite body.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for Trans-Am 2 to expose the series to the public at an event with a broad reach. With record fields in the 12 hour race, that in itself will bring quite a few people to the event,” said McAlister.
“I’m really excited about the potential the series has got. They’re great cars and it is probably the most economical way to go racing once you buy the car.”
Trans-Am 2 kicks off their six-round 2016 series at Lakeside Park on March 18-19.
Cotton Wins on TA2 Debut
 "Cotton Wins on TA2 Debut")
With a hat-trick of victories, Mustang driver Chad Cotton claimed the round win at the debut outing for TA2 Racing Australia at Lakeside Park on August 6 and 7.
An eight-car grid consisting of fifth and sixth generation Ford Mustangs and Chevrolet Camaros took to the historic 2.41 kilometre circuit for the first of two rounds for the year, following demonstration runs at Queensland Raceway and Wakefield Park. After the inaugural 20-minute qualifying session, it was a Mustang 1-2-3 with former Supercars privateer Craig Harris (Mustang) landing pole with a 55.94, narrowly ahead of Russell Wright (Mustang) with a 55.98, and Chad Cotton (Mustang) clocking a 56.23. Series Founder Peter Robinson (Camaro) was the best of the Camaros with a 56.49. Harris lead from pole to claim the inaugural race win in the series, taking the chequered flag ahead of a hard-charging Cotton and Robinson. Wright, who was on double duty with Round 5 of the Australian Trans-Am Series engaged in a three-way dice for the lead early on, but fell to fifth position behind Ian McAlister (Mustang) who picked up two spots to finish fourth. First-time circuit racer Cameron Sendall (Camaro) and former Supercars privateer Bob Thorn (Camaro) brought up the rear of the field. Cotton capitalised off the start to claim his maiden win in the series in race two, holding onto the lead ahead of Harris and Wright. There were battles all the way through the field during the eight-lap encounter, as McAlister, Thorn and Sendall engaged in a race-long stoush. The Canberra driver secured his second consecutive victory in race three, closely followed by Harris and Wright. McAlister failed to make the grid after suffering alternator issues, while Thorn’s race came to an end on the third lap as a broken splitter resulted from running over the ripple strip at the Karussell. Cotton’s third successive win was the sweetest of victories, setting the category lap record at a 55.21 en route to the chequered flag. Harris secured second position for the round while Sendall completed the race four podium. McAlister climbed back to fourth while Wright, who started second, suffered a puncture and fell back to fifth.
Reflecting on the magnitude of the series debut, Cotton said he was over the moon to be the inaugural round winner for the category.
“I wasn’t expecting a lot this weekend, this was only my second ever race meeting at Lakeside.
“The guys I am racing with are so professional, a lot of them have come from a lifetime of racing. The cars are all the same so it comes down to the driver and I was lucky enough to have a good run.
“It is great to be a part of this class,” Cotton said.
Robinson was pleased with the first standalone TA2 race meeting in the Southern Hemisphere.
“It couldn’t have gone any better. The way the guys drove, the presentation of the vehicles, the feedback from the fans, all in all it was a fantastic effort by all involved and we all can’t wait for the next round,” Robinson said.
The second round of the series will be at Queensland Raceway on October 15 and 16.
TA2 Muscles Up for Lakeside Debut
 "TA2 Muscles Up for Lakeside Debut")
The all-new TA2 Racing Australia category is set for their highly-anticipated debut at Lakeside Park this weekend, as the historic circuit roars to life with a muscle car double-header. The recently launched series takes inspiration from America’s iconic Trans-Am Series, as the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger continue a rivalry that spans generations of race fans all over the world. The global TA2 formula caters for modern V8-powered Trans-Am muscle cars, comprising of a purpose-built racing chassis and a controlled engine package developing 525 horsepower. An eight car grid will take to the historic Lakeside circuit on August 6-7 featuring Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro-bodied cars, with category management confirming a 17 car field by the end of the year. “Eight more cars are on order from the USA which are due to land in Australia at the end of September, adding to 17 cars in total. In amongst these are two Dodge Challengers,” said series founder Peter Robinson. Since the launch of TA2 in June, two demonstration events have taken place at Queensland Raceway and Wakefield Park, as the attention now turns to the competitive debut of the class at the spiritual home of Queensland motorsport. “This is the first outing as a standalone TA2 race anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere,” said Robinson.” “With the Australian Trans-Am Series also appearing in their own race, fans will be treated to a muscle car double-header. This will be a real spectacle at the historic Lakeside circuit.” Former V8 Supercar privateer and 2014 Australian Trans-Am Champion Craig Harris heads up the entry list in a Ford Mustang alongside Bob Thorn in a Chevrolet Camaro, the former V8 Supercar privateer and Nations Cup entrant returns to motorsport after five years out of the seat. Joining them on the grid are Russell Wright, Greg Willis, Ian McAlister, Chad Cotton, Cameron Sendall and Peter Robinson. Harris is looking forward to driving his Mustang in anger around the challenging Lakeside layout. “With a minimum weight of 1250kg and 525hp on tap, these cars are going to be frighteningly quick around the fast and flowing Lakeside track. “Due to the big slick tyres and huge Wilwood brakes, I expect to see times in the mid-to-low 50 second mark which will surely get the drivers’ attention as this place has no room for error. I can’t wait for the weekend,” said Harris. TA2 Racing Australia will commence with practice on Friday, followed by qualifying and four races across the weekend in support of the Lakeside 300 and Round 5 of the 2016 Australian Trans-Am Series.
