TA2 Ringmaster Announces Retirement at Gala Presentation Evening

Long time motorsport administrator Craig Denyer announced to a standing ovation at the 2024 TA2 Muscle Car Awards presentation over the weekend he will retire from the sport this year after helping build the TA2 brand from a nine-car series which commenced  in 2018 to over 100 cars now sold in the country. PBR spec TA2 cars race in both the National Trans AM and TA2 Muscle Car Series, the Western Australian series, plus launched in New Zealand with a two round Trans-Tasman series earlier this year, where TA2  continues to also grow as a domestic NZ category in its own right.

The father of television presenter and regular race driver Grant Denyer, Craig has had a long history in the sport conceiving and running the V8 Ute series for many years, worked for Ross Palmers PROCAR developing the GTP and Nations Cup Series in the late 90’s and was involved in administrating both  the Bathurst 12 and 24 Hour races.  He was heavily involved in the early Gold Coast Indycar events, commentated on motorsport for most television networks over the years, including the F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne, and has been planning to step down for some time announcing that Matt MacKelden will take on the role of TA2 Muscle Car series category manager. Denyer will continue to be involved in the short term as a part of the handover to the new entity.

The Gala presentation evening last Friday at the Sofitel Broadbeach on the Gold Coast crowned the 2024 TA2 champion, Josh Haynes with the presentation of the $10,000 Wallace Bishop Championship ring, from Brad Gartner and Mark Crutcher. 

Mark Crutcher scored the Circo Master Class title from Paul Hadley and Domain Ramsay. 

#169 TFH Racing Ford Mustang Driver Josh Thomas scored the Wilwood Most Improved award, as he was the most improved driver this year compared to last year on series points. This prize included a full set of Wilwood Calipers and Rotors supplied by Wilwood Brakes. 

The TA2 Geoff Leeds Memorial Trophy is for the driver that does not necessarily win races or run at the front, but contributes in many ways to the success of the series. This award presented by Ben Leeds went to #81 MGW/Team RSG Dodge Challenger driver Hayden Jackson. Jackson also took home the Race Products Never Give Up Award, which included a pair of Race Products 300M TA2 Australia spec floater axles valued at $786. 

The Racetech Rookie of the Year was awarded to the highest point scoring first year TA2 Muscle Car Series driver. This was awarded to Danny Reidy in the #7 Desert Palms Alice Springs Chevrolet Camaro. 

TA2 Muscle Car Series is expected to formally announce the 2025 calendar later this week.

QUOTES

Craig Denyer, TA2 Category Manager 
“This has been somewhat of a 20-year apprenticeship for Matt, who has worked with us in the V8 Ute days as well as Mini Challenge and Australian GT, plus has also been a competitor in TA2.  He has great knowledge across many areas of the sport and has the passion to continue to keep the faith on what we have achieved as a category so far.” Denyer said.

“I cant thank Peter and Mo Robinson, Dayna Bullock and Cam Sendall enough for making this the most enjoyable time I’ve ever  had in the sport and bringing me into their family. When I first sat down with Pete 8 years ago and he explained his vision for TA2, I couldn’t believe that someone so new to the industry had such great foresight and could see so clearly what others with years in the sport had failed to see and where the gap was for a low cost, big bang for buck V8 alternative. That’s the reason the TA2 “Family”  is so successful today and will continue to grow under the new ownership group led by TA2 competitors Mark Crutcher, Graham Cheney and Paul Hadley.”

Matt MacKelden, 2025 TA2 Category Manager 
"I can’t thank The Robinsons, Craig and the new ownership group enough for tapping me on the shoulder given Craigs well deserved retirement.”

“Having worked with Craig and the Series previously the opportunity to continue on his great work and build on the foundation he set is truly an honour, I certainly have very big shoes to fill.”