• Chevrolet Camaro - car 22#, driver Ashley Jarvis
• Ford Mustang - car 69#, driver Anthony Tenkate
• Dodge Challenger - car 10#, driver Peter Robinson (Cameron Sendall in attendance)

Defending Trans-Am 2 Queensland champion Russell Wright has unveiled Roadbees Transport as his title sponsor for the 2018 Performax Cup Trans-Am 2 national series.

Roadbees Transport are a National logistics provider, warehouse storage and distribution specialists. Most renowned for their “first to building site” service, which enables the best logistical solution to help improve production on building sites.

Roadbees Transport branding will appear on both side doors of the #55 Ford Mustang, as Wright prepares himself for Trans-Am 2’s step up to national competition.

The 2017 champion welcomes his major sponsor as a reflection of the strong growth experienced by the category leading into the new national series.

“Trans-Am 2 is expanding rapidly and raising interest as not only a fantastic motorsport category, but as a genuine marketing platform for businesses of all sizes,” said Wright.

“In Roadbees Transport we have a business that sees the value of partnering with a team in Trans-Am 2, and this presents a new and exciting opportunity to grow the awareness of their business along the east coast of Australia.”

“I’m so excited to welcome aboard Roadbees Transport to the team and I can’t wait to get to Winton Motor Raceway to launch our partnership for the 2018 season.”

Wright also thanks the support of M1 Tyres & Service Arundel and Easy Mobile Auto Care as team partners.

The 2018 Performax Cup for Trans-Am 2 kicks off at Winton Motor Raceway on March 9-11 in support of the new Australian Motor Racing Series.

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.