Stunning Pole Time sets up TA2/Trans AM Blockbuster at Mt Panorama

A lap time of 2.09.16 by GRM driver James Golding delivered the Mustang driver a front row start by 4/10ths of a second over former TA2 rookie Nathan Herne and National Trans Am reigning champ Todd Hazelwood in qualifying for todays combined TA2 Muscle Car Series and National Trans AM round at Mt Panorama Bathurst. Jarrod Hughes was the best of the regular TA2 point scorers qualifying 6^th outright, just ahead of Tom Davies Mustang.

Qualifying caught out 17-year-old Kiara Zabetakis in the Cutting, forcing the rookie to miss race 1, while reigning TA2 Champ Josh Haynes also hit the wall hard and was forced to start from the rear of the grid. IES Camaro driver Graham Cheney was the fastest of the Circo Master Class from Mark Crutcher and Aaron Prosser.

The record 41 car TA2/Trans AM grid rolled out for a 45-minute race with Golding covering off Herne into Turn 1 to lead up Mountain Straight for the first time, with Hazelwood, Nash Morris and James Moffat line astern.

Sixteen-year-old Diesel Thomas in the TFH Mustang was first into pit lane with a loose plug lead, then Herne came under pressure with a very loose Blue and Gold Industries Mustang allowing Moffat and Morris to move by. On Lap 7, Moffat made a lunge on Morris at Forest Elbow, causing both to spin before Morris was again clouted hard by Charlie Nash and forced to retire. Moffat was given a drive through penalty as a result.

TA2 Muscle Car Master Warren Wadley had a massive moment at the Chase, running deep then spinning and hitting the inside wall in the 88 Mustang with significant damage, while Hayden Jackson’s Dodge retired in the Turn 1 run off early in the race with drive shaft bolt failure. Aaron Prosser having his first Bathurst race also retired the Security of Supply Mustang early in the race.

2024 TA2 Champ Josh Haynes was up 20 spots by Lap 9 in the Herzog Steel Mustang before speedway legend Robbie Farr in the Hi-Tec Oils Camaro backed it in hard at the Cutting while C and H Trucking’s Domain Ramsay and Mark Crutcher came together on the entry to Forest Elbow with damage to both setting up a safety car 1 lap dash to the end. Ramsay copped a post-race 30 second penalty while Crutcher’s Mustang has significant damage.

On the green, Golding under pressure kept his cool to go on and win by just 2/10ths of a second from Hazelwood, Herne, Elliot Barbour and Jordan Cox. Jarrod Hughes was the first of the TA2 point scorers from Ben Gomersall and Tom Davies, while Josh Thomas had a solid run in the TFH Mustang to edge out NZ rookie Ayrton Hodson having his first Bathurst run ahead of Castle Railings Cameron Laws.

Despite a spin mid race in Turn 1, Bathurst local Graham Cheney extended his lead in the Circo Master Class from IES team mate Paul Hadley.

TFH Racing’s Des Collier, Ambrose Racing’s Josh Webster and Turps Tippers Mustang driver Michael Coulter wrapped up the TA2 Top Ten points earners.

Race Two of the TFH Hire Muscle Car Series - presented by Maritimo Luxury Yachts will be on track tomorrow morning from 9.55, and broadcast live on Fox Sports/Kayo.
 

QUOTES

Jarrod Hughes, #118 Road Active Suspension Chevrolet Camaro
It was a bit of an up and down race for me, I started off Race 1 really well, kept onto sixth place until we got to Conrod Straight but unfortunately, I didn’t have the top end speed. The whole race we were pretty strong everywhere around the track except the straights but all in all I am pretty happy with how today has gone, looking forward to Race 2 tomorrow. 

Graham Cheney, #51 IES Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro
I had a  good start in Race 1, got through a few people, but it was really fantastic  to see some clean racing. I made a stuff up coming into Turn 1 spinning the car, but managed to get it back on track. I was catching up to everyone until the safety car came out, which was a bit of a bummer as I definitely had pace over the guys in front, but overall I  am really happy with today and looking forward to tomorrow’s race. 

Mark Crutcher, #4 Crutcher Developments Ford Mustang
Race 1 for me was a bugger, I enjoyed the race a lot but I got tangled up with one of my great mate’s Domain Ramsay at the top of the mountain which ruined both our races. No hard feelings between us two, but it was a disappointing end for the both of us. Onwards and upwards and we will see if we can get it fixed for tomorrow.