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.

In their first appearance at the Lakeside Classic, Trans-Am 2 Australia turned up the action as Russell Wright claimed three out of four races to win round five of the 2017 Queensland Trans-Am 2 Racing Series.

Wright (Ford Mustang) set a blistering 54.7 second lap to claim pole position with the fastest recorded time of the entire race meeting. Wright would start on the front row alongside Chad Cotton (Ford Mustang), who bested Craig Harris (Ford Mustang) by 0.01 seconds to secure second spot.

It was a Wright vs Cotton showdown in race one, as Wright withstood a hard-charging Cotton to open his account in style. The pair took the chequered within one-tenth of a second, as Anthony Tenkate (Ford Mustang) rounded out the top three.

Wright cantered away to win race two comfortably, as Cotton, Tenkate and Craig Harris (Ford Mustang) staged a great battle in the closing stages. Harris recovered from a power steering issue in the opening race to charge back to second place from the rear of the grid, with Cotton two-tenths behind Harris in third at the chequered.

Wright fended off Harris in the early laps of race three, before Harris spun dramatically at the kink on lap three. Harris managed to stay off the wall, but pulled into the pit lane to record a DNF. A nail-biting finish saw Wright lose power due to an alternator issue, as Cotton passed Wright on the final corner on the final lap to take the win ahead of Tenkate.

Cotton and Wright engaged in a great battle in the final race as the pair were nose-to-tail for the opening seven laps. Cotton lead from the outset before Wright got through at the kink on lap six to take the race and round win.

With 21 Trans-Am 2 cars in Australia leading into the 2018 season and interstate expansion on the horizon, Wright is excited by the challenge that lies ahead.

“I love racing here at Lakeside. It’s such a challenging track and to drive a car like this around here is a real buzz,” said Wright.

“Chad [Cotton] kept me honest all weekend and I had to work very hard to stay in front.

“He’s definitely got the speed, but perhaps i’ve got more experience around the Lakeside track which has favoured me this weekend.”

The next event will see seven cars head to Sydney Motorsport Park to support the New South Wales Sports Sedans Series on September 16-17.

However, the Queensland Trans-Am 2 Racing Series returns to action for their final round at Lakeside Park in support or the Lakeside 300 endurance race on September 30-October 1.