TA2 ready for night racing in Sydney

The 2022 TA2 Muscle Car season kicks off this Friday at Sydney Motorsport Park with a unique two-day, four-race format featuring one twilight race and the finale on Saturday night.

The series returns this year with naming rights support from PROMAXX Performaxx Exhausts as well as increased backing from Hytek Steel Framing, with the competition to be known as the 2022 PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series - framed by Hytek.

The TA2 Muscle Cars will hit the track on Friday with two 20-minute practice sessions at 10:18am AEDT and 1:29pm. A 20-minute qualifying session will follow that afternoon at 4:23pm followed by a short turnaround for the first race of the season at 6:07pm, running over 12 laps.

A late start on Saturday will see the final three races held in the afternoon and into the night. Races 2 and 3 will be fought over 10 laps at 2:07pm and 4:23pm respectively, before an extended 15-lap finale at 9:25pm.

Series organisers, who recently celebrated the arrival of the 65th TA2 car in the country, are set to reveal a grid of over 20 cars for this week’s season opener.

Reigning Northern Champion Jett Johnson and Southern Champion Mark Crutcher are expected to join the grid alongside 2017 series champion Russell Wright and series regulars Chris Formosa, Zac Loscialpo, John McLaughlin, Michael Coulter and Murray Kent amongst others. A host of debutants are also set to join the grid for their first race in the TA2 category.

All of Saturday’s action can be watched live and free courtesy of a live stream hosted by the Australian Motor Racing Series, produced by Fuzzy Media.

The TA2 Muscle Car Series headlines the first round of the 2022 Australian Motor Racing Series, racing alongside the Australian Formula 3 Championship, the Super GT 4 Hour Enduro, the V8 Classic Series and other support categories.

Format/Schedule: 2022 PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series - framed by Hytek Round 1: Sydney Motorsport Park (AMRS Round 1) February 18/19, Local time: AEDT

Friday 18 February Practice 1 - 10:18am (20 minutes) Practice 2 - 1:29pm (20 minutes) Qualifying - 4:23pm (20 minutes) Race 1 - 6:07pm - 6:27pm (12 laps - time certain)

Saturday 19 February Race 2 - 2:07pm (10 laps) Race 3 - 4:23pm (10 laps) Race 4 - 9:25pm - 9:50pm (15 laps - Time Certain)

QUOTES

Scott Textor, CEO and Director - Hytek Steel Framing

“We are delighted at Hytek Steel Framing to become a co-naming rights partner for the 2022 PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series - framed by Hytek.

As one of the foundation drivers in the TA2 series back in 2016, it has been sensational to see the growth of the series to become one of the most exciting racing competitions in the country.

The growth in the popularity and attention towards the series is a real credit to Peter Robinson and the TA2 management group and we look forward to supporting the series on and off the track this year.”

Jett Johnson, #117 Full Throttle BBQ Ford Mustang, 2021 Northern Series Champion

“2021 was a really good year for my first time in the TA2 Series,” said Johnson.

“It was obviously a learning year for us, getting to know the car and the team around me, but the racing was really good and l learnt so much racing in the Northern Series.

“We’ll be attending as many TA2 and Trans-Am events as we can this year. At my age the more seat time I can get, the better. I’m looking forward to learning some new tracks outside of Queensland this year while continuing to develop my race craft and fast track my learning in these rear-wheel drive, high-powered muscle cars.

“I can’t wait to go racing at night in these cars. I haven’t done any night racing outside of go karts, so I expect it will be a great show in these cars and a great way to start the series.

“It will also be my first time driving at Sydney Motorsport Park, it looks like a real driver’s track so there are a couple of new challenges to come this week.

“We haven’t got any expectations yet, but we will get a couple of rounds under our belt and see what the competition is like and build some goals from there, but I hope to be there or thereabouts and see if we can continue our progress from last year.”

Mark Crutcher, #4 Crutcher Developments Ford Mustang, 2022 Southern Series Champion

“It was surreal to win the Southern Series last year. It was a COVID-affected year and there was a lot of drivers that missed out due to not being able to make it to each event, but the last races in Bathurst were outstanding and the most competitive I have driven, so it was a real thrill to win,” said Crutcher.

“Sydney Motorsport Park at night is awesome, you don’t see these cars any better. The conditions are great to drive in because the track is a little bit cooler, the cars look spectacular with the flames blowing out and the glowing brakes.

“We’re probably going into this year better than we ever have because we understand what we’re doing a bit more. I’m feeling a lot more confident but there’s so many quick drivers now, I might be quicker this year but I’ll probably be back in the pack!”

“I’ve been racing for four years now and the TA2 series has got stronger and stronger, there are so many cars in the country now and it’s just a pleasure to be involved in what really is the best bang-for-buck racing going around.

“You’re always racing someone no matter where you are, whether you are up the pointy-end, in the middle or at the back, there’s always someone to battle and it’s good, hard, honest racing and that’s what makes TA2 racing so good.”