A stout field of 20 TA2 cars will take to Sydney Motorsport Park under lights this weekend for Round 1 of the 2024 TFH Hire Muscle Car Series - framed by HYTEK Steel Framing. 

Supercar driver Todd Hazelwood is a last-minute addition to the entry list to back up Joshua Thomas in a two car TFH attack, with Hazelwood coming off a fine second place at last weekend’s Phillip Island National Trans AM round. While at this stage, it’s a one-off appearance for Hazelwood, Thomas will be doing the full 2024 TA2 Series, after competing in a few TA2 rounds last year and is set to be competitive in his #169 TFH Hire Ford Mustang that is prepped out of the Queensland team factory. 

The series will welcome a number of new drivers to the field for 2024, including speedway convert Domain Ramsay in the #71 C & H Trucking Chevrolet Camaro. Ramsay has never driven on a circuit before and drove the car for the first time at the Winton Launch Day. Queensland based speedway driver Danny Reidy will also make his TA2 debut this weekend in a Chev Camaro.

Former Toyota 86 runner Connor Roberts will join the field as a rookie in his #19 Arrow Transport Repairs Dodge Challenger. 

The competition this year is set to be fierce yet again with Josh Haynes, Hayden Jackson, reigning Northern Series champ Graham Cheney and Lee Stibbs all returning for this year. Stibbs and Jackson have joined Dream Racing for this year’s title attack.

After a tough 2023 season, South Australian farmer Brad Gartner will be driving a brand-new Chevrolet Camaro for Hi-Tec Super Series promoter George Gambino. The #22 Camaro will be backed by the Oil Company for the year and will be maintained by Ben Leeds at PBR Distributions in Queensland. 

Last year’s series runner up Josh Haynes will join Waltec Motorsport alongside Kyle Gurton for 2024.  Haynes showed off a fresh new livery at the 2024 Winton Launch Day with a new major partner Herzog Steel backing Haynes for the season. After the recent sale of Gurton’s Mustang, Aaron Tebb from Waltec Motorsport is yet to announce which car the former series race winner will hop into this weekend.

Newcastle’s Tom Hayman will also join TA2 for the full series assault in the Ford Mustang he drove to second outright behind Jordan Cox during the TA2 Muscle Car round at Sydney Motorsport Park last year. The 19 year old has shown great class behind the wheel and will be a real serious threat for the title this year.

Western Sydney’s Michael Coulter has recently purchased the ex-Hugh McAllister Ford Mustang and revealed a brand-new pink and black livery with Turps Tippers backing the team for the 2024 season, replacing the Camaro he raced to second outright in the 20 lap Darwin King of the North feature race last year with father Steve.

Speedway veteran, 76 year old Barry Kelleher, Anthony Tenkate, Paul Hadley, Mark Crutcher, and Greg Keam will all return under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park, while newly crowned series champ Dylan Thomas will also be back in the CXC Mustang carrying the Number One on the side.

The TFH Hire Muscle Car Series - framed by HYTEK Steel Framing will have four races across the weekend. Friday evening  will see qualifying live on SBS Free to Air under lights followed by Race On,  while Saturday will feature races under lights and televised live on free to air on SBS Viceland, Fox Sports and Kayo Sports. 

QUOTES

Todd Hazelwood, #111 TFH Hire Ford Mustang 

"It was a golden opportunity for me to do some extra race laps and obviously being committed to Erebus Motorsport at the beginning of the year I had originally planed to go to Taupo this weekend, so going to Sydney wasn’t originally on my radar but its been a quick change of events and I am really keen to get stuck into it with the TFH Racing Team, as well as supporting Josh Thomas who will also be racing there this weekend. 

It has been a real fun and exciting category to be apart of, I have been enjoying it. It has been a while since I have driven a different style of race car outside of Supercars for some years now so it has definitely been a new challenge and the team at TFH Racing have been super welcoming and inviting.

Tom Hayman, #30 Di Prinzio Concreting Ford Mustang

“I’m really excited to be jumping back in our TA2 car at Sydney, we had a really good round there last year and i’m really excited to able to race in the TA2 series again. It’s going to be an awesome couple of days with the night racing returning again, these cars are awesome to watch under lights and i can’t wait to be racing against some fast guys coming into the series” 

Connor Roberts, #19 Arrow Transport Repairs

“These TA2 cars are completely different then what I have driven in the past. We have had our eyes on the TA2 Muscle Car Series for a while, the close competition and family was what drew us to buying a car. 

I have only had 5 test days in the Dodge Challenger, and I have been learning heaps about the car every time. I am keen for Round 1 at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend, the competition will be fierce." 

ENTRY LIST

#1 Dylan Thomas, CXC Racing, Ford Mustang

#2 Kyle Gurton, Nuveau Group, Ford Mustang

#4 Mark Crutcher, Crutcher Developments, Ford Mustang

#5 Danny Reidy, Reidy Racing, Chevrolet Camaro 

#10 Peter Robinson, B-Styled, Dodge Challenger

#11 Michael Coulter, Turps Tippers, AIM Motorsport, Ford Mustang

#19 Connor Roberts, Arrow Transport Repairs, Dodge Challenger 

#22 Brad Gartner, Hi-Tec Oils, Chevrolet Camaro

#30 Tom Hayman, Di Prinzio Concreting Ford Mustang

#31 Barry Kelleher, Ford Mustang, Kelleher Motorsport 

#37 Josh Haynes, Herzog Steel, Ford Mustang

#50 Paul Hadley, IES Motorsport, Chevrolet Camaro

#51 Graham Cheney, IES Motorsport, Chevrolet Camaro

#66 Lee Stibbs, Arrow Financial Services, Chevrolet Camaro

#69 Anthony Tenkate, Tenkate Plant Hire, Ford Mustang

#71 Domain Ramsay, C&H Trucking, Chevrolet Camaro

#73 Steve Wilson, Wilson Auto Racing, Chevrolet Camaro 

#81 Hayden Jackson, Maitland Glass and Windscreen Services, Dodge Challenger 

#111 Todd Hazelwood, TFH Hire Services, Ford Mustang

#169 Josh Thomas, TFH Hire Services, Ford Mustang 

SCHEDULE 

Friday

Practice 1 - 1:15pm (20 mins)

Practice 2 - 3:33pm (20 mins)

Qualifying - 6:10pm (20 mins)

Race 1 - 9:00pm (12 laps)

Saturday

Race 2 - 3:38pm (15 laps)

Race 3 - 6:19pm (8 laps)

Race 4 - 8:54pm (12 laps)

BROADCAST DETAILS

Friday 

Live stream: Hi-Tec Oils, TA2 Racing Australia and Speedcafe Facebook Pages: 3pm-5:30pm

Live TV: SBS, Fox Sports, Kayo Sports: 6pm - 9:30pm 

Saturday 

Live stream: Hi-Tec Oils, TA2 Racing Australia and Speedcafe Facebook Pages: 1pm-5:30pm

Live TV: SBS Viceland, Fox Sports, Kayo Sports: 6pm - 9:30pm

The South Aussie will enjoy significant support from Hi-Tec not only as the backer of the Camaro but ownership of the car as well through Hi-Tec owner and founder George Gambino.

Tim Brook, who engineered Dylan Thomas to the title last season, will run Gartner's car this year.

“The TA2 series is going from strength to strength, and it just works for our brand and our commitment to motorsport to further invest in the Camaro,” said Gambino.

“Brad is a talented young guy that fits our brand. The opportunity to link with Brad and with support from TA2 Australia makes a great addition to our Hi-Tec Oils team that already includes our Hi-Tec Oils drift team.

“I can't wait to see the Camaro in action under lights at Sydney!”

Series manager Stephen Whyte added: “In another show of commitment to our series, George has made further investment.

“It will be impressive to see the Hi-Tec Oils car out there on track at Round 1 of the 2024 Hi-Tec Oils Super Series.

“This is the first of many rounds incorporating the Hi-Tec Oils Drift Allstars. The Super Series Team just can't thank George and the Hi-Tec Oils team enough for their ongoing support.”

The TA2 season kicks off at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend.

The TFH Hire Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek has welcomed Kubota Australia as the new partner for the Pole Position Award in 2024, with each winner to receive an increased financial reward.

At each of the six rounds this season, the fastest driver from qualifying will now earn the Kubota Pole Award, with an $1000 cash prize, doubled from the previous $500 figure.

The Kubota Pole Award will first be awarded at the series’ season opener under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park, headlining the first round of the 2024 Hi-Tec Oils Super Series.

Kubota Australia were previously the major backer of Matt MacKelden’s Kubota Racing Ford Mustang, and with MacKelden moving on from the class this year, he facilitated to ensure Kubota maintained a presence in the series and supported the drivers who give it their all out on track.

The TFH Hire Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek kicks off this Friday at Sydney Motorsport Park, with live primetime coverage on SBS on Friday and Saturday Night, April 19-20, simulcast on Fox Sports and Kayo.

QUOTES

Malcolm Owens, Kubota Australia General Manager - Sales

"Kubota Australia is proud to continue our involvement in the Muscle Car Series as the partner of the Kubota Pole Award in 2024. 

“We loved supporting Matt MacKelden in the series the past few years, and this opportunity to remain involved in this way is an honour to support the talented drivers who work so hard behind the scenes to put their best foot forward on track. 

“Not only that, the expanded free-to-air television deal featuring both days of action on SBS as well as Fox and Kayo is outstanding and we’re excited to be involved in the growth of the series.

“The Kubota Pole Award represents our dedication to the series and we look forward to celebrating the series’ fastest qualifiers throughout the season.”

Craig Denyer, TA2 Muscle Car Series Manager

"We are thrilled to welcome Kubota Australia as the partner for the Pole Position Award in 2024. 

“This increased financial reward adds an extra layer of excitement to our qualifying sessions, and we're confident it will further elevate the competition within the series.”

“We can’t wait to hit the track this weekend with a talented field of drivers gridding up for the season opener, with the Kubota Pole Award sure to be hotly contested this year.

TFH Hire Services is proud to announce it has joined forces with the TA2 Muscle Car Series - framed by HYTEK Steel Framing for the 2024 Season, not only backing Josh Thomas in the TFH Ford Mustang, but stepping up as co-naming rights partner for all series rounds.

TFH is an Australian family owned and operated business that has been running for over 30 years with 38 branches across Australia. They specialise in the supply of quality temporary fence hire and other hire products for the construction, civil and event industries. TFH Hire is one of Australia’s most successful privately owned temporary fencing companies manufacturing majority of their fencing and hire products at their head office site located in Kingston, Brisbane.

The TA2 Muscle Car Series is one of the fastest growing motorsport categories in Australia, with an action-packed grid of Ford Mustang’s, Chevrolet Camaro’s and Dodge Challenger’s, and recently launched into New Zealand with a two round Trans-Tasman series.

After stepping up from a Toyota 86 programme, Josh Thomas raced the TFH Hire Services Ford Mustang in the last few TA2 rounds last year, however, is set for a full season this year and is expected to be competitive with the Mustang prepared out of the TFH Racing Team factory in Queensland.

TA2 National Category Manager Craig Denyer says the growth of TA2 and the expanded media platform for 2024 offers all partners a great way to profile their product on the national stage at a fraction of the cost normally associated with mainstream motor racing.

Round One of the 2024 TFH Hire Muscle Car Series -   framed by HYTEK Steel Framing kicks off at Sydney Motorsport Park under lights April 19/20. Catch all of Saturday’s action live on SBS, Fox Sports/Kayo as well as Speedcafe.

QUOTES

Brett Thomas, Owner of TFH Hire

“We decided to become a major sponsor with the TA2 Muscle Car Series as it is a well-controlled category where you get your value for money and there is always very competitive racing. There is a parts truck on site so we don’t have to carry inventory on parts. It is a real family vibe and thats what we love. 

As a national class I see the industry really growing over the next couple of years, especially this year with the introduction of televised broadcasts. There is a lack of financial backing in the racing industry for both the drivers and categories, so TFH Hire are thrilled to be supporting the TA2 Muscle Car Series.”

Josh Thomas, #169 TFH Hire Ford Mustang

“I am really looking forward to competing in the TA2 Muscle Car Series for the full season, and I think that with the couple of races I had last year with the series I can really make a push and start putting the pieces together to have a competitive run this year.” 

Craig Denyer, National Category Manager

“The Hi-Tec Oils Super Series has one of the most extensive domestic free to air television and media packages available in Australian motor sport and its great we can offer our partners the chance to promote their brand on the national stage over our six round series that covers 5 states of Australia. TFH Hire have been active in many areas of the sport for many years and know the benefits the sport can offer in building brand awareness and customer loyalty.  Along with our long-time partner HYTEK Steel Framing, who has  also extended their commitment for this year, we are set for one of the most strongest and competitive seasons yet.”

Young Newcastle-based driver Hayden Jackson has formed an official technical alliance with Dream Racing Australia for the 2024 TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series.

Jackson was a multiple pole position winner in the highly competitive Toyota GAZOO Racing Australia 86 Series in what was a five year stint, before making the step up to the TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series last season.

Running as a privateer family squad for most of the season, a link up with Dream Racing Australia occurred during his campaign and ended up becoming a technical alliance by the year’s finale at Calder Park.

The technical alliance bore fruit straight away when Jackson scored his TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series podium in the final race of the season.

A driver to watch in the TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series this season, Jackson is eager to continue his rapid development in the category using Dream Racing Australia’s large pool of experience to aid in his aim to become a consistent frontrunner.

Jackson will join Dream Racing Australia’s full-time driver Lee Stibbs in forming the squad’s TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series line-up in 2024.

The season starts as part of the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series at Sydney Motorsport Park on April 19-20.

QUOTES:

Hayden Jackson, #81 Maitland Glass and Windscreens, Dodge Challenger

“Last year we ran with Dream Racing Australia at Calder Park and we got a podium in the final race, so we were trending in the right direction,” Jackson explained.

“We not so much ran with Dream Racing Australia throughout last year, but we did have a little bit of technical support, while we were learning last year. 

“We got along with Frank (Mezzatezza) so well at Calder Park last year that we needed to have him with us. All the guys that are part of the team such as Craig, Cam and Ben are all awesome people, so the alliance has been bloody awesome.

“It’s just a completely different beast compared to what I have driven before, so it’s just about learning how to trust a slick tyre and how to drive the car without using too much rubber. I’ve learnt in the TA2 car patience is key in regard to stepping on the power.

“Aligned with Dream Racing Australia now, we’ll find a lot more pace and we’ve gained the step we were missing previously. Dream brings the expertise and guidance to take me to the next level that we know we can race at. We’ve proven in other categories we’re competitive with the right knowhow and that’s what Dream brings.

“Racing at what is our closest circuit to start the season has its advantages as I’ve got plenty of laps under my belt at Sydney Motorsport Park, but there is an added pressure to make sure we perform.

Craig Scutella, Team Owner, Dream Racing Australia

“We spotted Hayden last year whilst running Jackson Rice (now Trans Am) to a successful campaign in TA2,” explained Scutella. 

“On occasions Hayden had raw pace but inconsistency was the greatest issue. From the outside it looked like the driver was better than the car.

“After a discussion with Colin (Hayden’s father and mechanic), DRA (Frank Mezzatezza) engineered the car at Calder Park in the last event of the TA2 season and Hayden achieved a podium against very strong competition in testing track conditions.

“Colin and mother Lurrene are turbocharged to ensure that Hayden has a successful 2024 in TA2 and DRA (Cameron Fisher, Kim Jane and the crew) are planning a strategic approach to synchronise the race car to better Hayden’s special talents.

“TA2 (founded by Peter Robinson and now navigated by Craig Denyer) competition has risen every year and 2024 will be super competitive, indeed TA2 and Trans Am arguably is as/more competitive as other feeder categories into Supercars.

“DRA are proud to be running Hayden and Lee in 2024, both prodigious talents and both capable of giving the TA2 Championship a huge shake.”