TA2 Muscles Up for Lakeside Debut

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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.