This weekend’s final round of the NZ TA2 Series will see not only the Champion crowned, but that driver will also be awarded a seat beside 2025 Australian TA2 Champion Jarrod Hughes in the up coming TA2 Tag Team Enduro event at Queensland Raceway 1^st - 3^rd of May. 

Three drivers will be in contention for the seat, each representing a Camaro, Dodge and Mustang body shape which TA2 Australia Category Manager Matt MacKelden said was a brilliant end to the inaugural season of a stand alone TA2 Championship in NZ.  

“The category has enjoyed a strong first year as a Championship and is also now recognised as the New Zealand Touring Car Championship, so it’s only fitting that the New Zealand Touring Car Champion and our series Champion take on the best of TA2 in Australia,” said MacKelden. 

“Its really exciting that three drivers, Caleb Byers in a Camaro, Dylan Grant in a Dodge and Toby Elmiger in a Mustang will be in contention and who ever takes out the crown will be a worthy addition to what has become TA2’s signature event in Australia every year.”

“We’ll be releasing the entry list in the next week or so, but you can expect some Supercars drivers, some super 2 drivers, GT drivers, and former and current TA2 Champions so whoever wins in NZ this weekend will be fighting it out with some heavy hitters come May.” 

The NZ drivers won’t have all their own way this weekend with two Australian regulars in Nathan Herne who dominated the Trans Am Cup Series at Bathurst last weekend and 2026 Round 1 TA2 podium placer Tyler Cheney each making their way across the ditch for the final round.

Prolific car builder and US motorsport legend Chas Howe, builder of the Howe Chassis used in Australian and NZ TA2 Competition has also made his way across to the North Island circuit after visiting Mount Panorama last weekend. 

Catch all of this weekend’s action live on Fox Sports, Kayo Sports and Sky Sports NZ. 

The 2026 TA2 Muscle Car Series has kicked off with two action packed races which has seen two first time winners climb to the top step with Tyler Cheney and Tommy Smith taking the honours in race one and race 2 at Shell V Power Motorsport Park Saturday March 14^th.

Cheney and Smith swapped the lead on multiple occasions while also fending off challenges from Joel Heinrich and returning driver Jackson Rice however it was Cheney that took advantage of a mistake by Smith to take the win from Rice, Heinrich and Super 2 driver Alice Buckley.

Race two proved to be an action packed affair as Smith, Cheney, Heinrich, and Buckley once again battled for supremacy with Smith eventually taking the honours ahead of a fast-finishing Heinrich and Cheney. After a close fought start, Smith, who has returned to Australia from racing in Europe and the USA got the jump into turn one as Cheney hung around the outside and the two went side by side through the sweeper with Smith eventually coming out on top.

Jackson Rice once again featured heavily in the Hi-Tec Oils Camaro but couldn’t quite close the gap despite multiple passing attempts.

Race two proved to be a bruising affair for multiple drivers with the TFH backed Thomas brothers, Clinton Rayner, Kiara Zabetakis and Ben Gomersall all suffering race ending damage.

All competitors get the opportunity for a re set Sunday morning with qualifying and another two races to finish off round one.

QUOTES

Tyler Cheney, Carlton Dry #38 Chev Camaro 
“It’s been a fantastic start to the weekend for me in the TA2 series. To secure my first pole position in qualifying this morning and then follow it up with my first race win was a great result. Race two was a tough one, but I was able to hold on for third.”

“As it’s my first full season in the series, I’m really excited to have a strong crack at the championship. Hopefully we can carry this momentum into tomorrow and deliver another strong result.”

Joel Heinrich, Osborne Transport #16 Ford Mustang 
“I’m super stoked to be racing in the TA2 Series this year, and it’s pretty special to have round one at my home track here at The Bend Motorsport Park. It’s exciting to step into a new series with new challenges, and I’ve really been enjoying the experience so far.” 

“I’ve learnt a lot already and it’s been a solid start to the weekend. Our qualifying pace wasn’t quite where we wanted it to be, but our race pace was strong, which helped us secure a podium in the second race today. A huge thanks to the team for their hard work, I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do tomorrow.”

Tommy Smith, SCT Logistics #116 Chev Camaro 
“Day one here at The Bend is done and it’s been a really good day for me. I finished second in race one and then was able to take my first win in race two. To be honest, it was a little unexpected, especially after practice where we were eighth, but we managed to put together a really strong lap in qualifying and built momentum from there. A huge thank you to the guys at Matt Stone Racing for all their hard work. Hopefully we can keep it up tomorrow.”

The 2026 TA2 Muscle Car Series gets underway this weekend, with Round One at Shell V Power Motorsport Park on March 14-15 as part of the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series featuring solid 21 car grid which includes a mix of rookies and experienced drivers. 

Super 2 drivers Alice Buckley, Ben Gomersall and Tommy Smith join the field for the opening round, while Patrick Neville and Chris Smerdon are set to make their TA2 series debut with Matt Stone Racing.

Aussie Racing Car standouts Kody Garland and Joel Heinrich step into the TA2 Muscle Car Series for their first full season, both taking the wheel of Ford Mustangs, the duo famous for their Aussie Racing Car rivalry.

Kiara Zabetakis will also return this weekend for the first time since Sydney last year meaning two female drivers will take to the grid for the entirety of the TA2 Season. 

Walkinshaw TWG Racing Jnr Driver racer Pip Casabene swaps his Toyota GR Cup and will make his TA2 debut this weekend with Waltec Motorsport in the ex-Jordan Cox Mustang , joining teammate Tyler Cheney, who is set to contest his first full season behind the wheel of a Camaro.

Jackson Rice makes his return to the category this weekend, while Western Australia driver Clint Rayner will join the field full time with Ashley Jarvis Racing. 

Familiar names will again feature on the grid in 2026, with Brock Paine, Cam Laws, Josh Thomas, Diesel Thomas and Des Collier confirmed to return, alongside the speedway gang of Robbie Farr and Danny Reidy.

The opening round of the 2026 TA2 Muscle Car Series features four thrilling races over the weekend, taking place from March 14-15. Fans can catch all the action live on SBS, Fox Sports and Kayo Sports. 

QUOTES

Matt MacKelden, TA2 National Category Manager 

“This has to be the most hotly contested year in TA2’s history and we’re super pleased to welcome so many new names plus welcome back plenty of drivers from the 2025 season”. 

“The Bend is a great place to kick off the season with the open flowing corners and super long straight and with the Super Series running on the shorter West Circuit I’d expect there to be plenty of action all weekend.” 

Freem Racewear distributed by Rear Wing have announced today that not only they’ve extended their relationship with the TA2 Muscle Car Series but also expanded their partnership to include the Trans Am Cup Series, now enjoying “Official Racewear Partner” position for both series in Australia.

Having enjoyed a stellar first year with TA2, Freem Racewear Director Richard Murrell said adding the Trans Am Cup Series was a natural addition to the partnership and he couldn’t be more pleased to confirm the brands on ongoing support.

“It’s clear that TA2 and Trans Am are two of the fastest growing categories in Australia and I’m looking forward to seeing many of the suits that Freem Racewear has already designed and delivered into the market make their debuts for the 2026 season starting next week at The Bend Motorsport Park.” Said Murrell

TA2 and Trans Am Cup Series Category Manager Matty MacKelden welcomed back Richard and Freem to the family saying that having corporate partners that deliver a quality product was a defining reason why TA2 and Trans Am was pleased the relationship was continuing.

“I’ve known Richard for 15 years and I’ve never heard any negative feedback about the product and I know from personal experience as a Freem suit owner that the quality is top shelf.” Said MacKelden. 

“I love the fact that the 2026 Series Champion from both TA2 and Trans Am, plus the Pro Am and Masters Champion and our Rookies of the Year will receive product from Freem as a reward for their efforts just as Jarrod Hughes has received for his 2025 TA2 title which will make it's debut at round one of the Trans Am Cup Series at the Bathurst 6 Hour.

The TA2 Muscle Car Series will kick off the 2026 season at Shell-V Power Motorsport Park next weekend on March 14 and 15 with free to air coverage on SBS plus Kayo and Fox Sports while the Trans Am Cup Series starts 2026 off at the Bathurst 6 Hour over the Easter weekend with bumper fields full of emerging and current talent plus high profile names like Farr, Hughes, Gomersall and Buckley lining up on the grids.

The 2026 TA2 Muscle Car and Trans Am Series calendars will see competitors fight for the titles across the country with an increase in Supercars appearances plus an exciting new event planned for the TA2 series.

TA2 will undertake a 6 round Championship as the Premier Category on the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series Season 4 beginning in March at Shell-V Power Motorsport Park, before heading to Queensland Raceway in April for the Tag Team Enduro event which last year attracted big industry names such as Kostecki, Lowndes, Slade and Morris. For round 3, the series heads to SMP and the traditional night racing round, followed by Queensland Raceway for the second time and one week before the Supercars event in August. The series will then head south for two Victorian rounds, one at Winton Motor Raceway in September followed by a very special event being curated by Marcos Ambrose at Calder Park on the “Traditional” layout. 

TA2 Competitors will also be invited to the Bathurst 6 Hour to compete within the Trans Am races but as a “Non Championship” affair. 

The Trans Am Series will kick off at the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour, then on to a 5 Supercars event swing with Darwin, Perth, Queensland Raceway, Shell-V Power Motorsport Park and Sandown with Phillip Island GP Circuit the scene for the final round with a date to be confirmed.

Five Supercars events is an increase over the 2024 calendar and will see the popular series compete in the west for the first time for a full championship round. 

QUOTES

Matt MacKelden - TA2 and Trans Am National Category Manager 

“To have both series calendars locked and loaded before Christmas is a big achievement and I can’t thank both the Super Series and Supercars enough for all their work in what was a busy end to the year.”

“Adding Shell-V Power Motorsport Park to the TA2 calendar is exciting, as is having Bathurst available to the teams and drivers again, and we know how big the Tag Team Enduro was this year, and we’re expecting the 2026 event to be even bigger again."

“Increasing from three to five Supercars events in 2026 is exciting for the Trans Am Championship and I can’t thank Tim Edwards and James Delzoppo enough in allowing our series to perform on the big stage all across the country.”

“We’re expecting a few more high profile drivers in the Championship in 2026 which I’m sure the Supercars fans will love to cheer on and support as the year goes on.” 

“The teams now know where they’re going and can begin to plan in earnest well ahead of the season which is pleasing for all, and I think both categories are set for their best seasons yet.”