QUOTES Nathan HerneDriver, American Trans Am Championship “It doesn’t feel real to be honest, I don’t know how to feel right now. Joe Stevens and Howe Racing are really putting all their eggs in my basket to try and win the 2023 title, so it’s daunting, but also pretty cool,” said Herne. “They want to get the championship. It is very competitive over there, and there are a bunch of NASCAR teams now putting their junior drivers and main game drivers in the category to groom them for NASCAR. NASCAR is going more towards the road course route and TA2 over there is the biggest road racing series they have, so it’s a bit of a pinch yourself moment to think I’ll be in the category in just under 2 months time. “I’ve had a taste of the racing and the class at COTA, and it was very eye-opening. It was the first time in my racing career that I’d thought “gee, I could be out of my depth a bit here,” but I went well in my first race. I proved that I was one of the fastest drivers there, and I want to put in a good fight for the championship. “I don’t want to set any expectations. I know I’m going to give it everything I have, and if worse comes to worse, I’ll come back to Australia with a years bucket list ticked off, but best case, I stay in the states and build on a great year and make the most of the opportunity. “There’s some huge names coming next year. Richard Petty’s grandson is driving. Being in Australia, you look at the Americas and you think that racing there is unattainable. Now to have the chance to be racing against some bloody good drivers is a pinch yourself moment. “we’ve worked hard to make it happen. Stevens-Miller and Howe have moved heaven and earth for me to be there, so I want to reward them with results. “Trans Am in Australia has been big for me. I started in TA2 in 2019, when the series itself was starting to gain momentum and then I cut my teeth in the ARG Trans Am series, and it was a lifesaver. I couldn’t afford to go to Supercars - I never had the finances, so Trans Am was a lifesaver. The series has grown in Australia and you can see that it is making big strides. Personally, it is the category that has given me a shot at a career in the sport, where otherwise I would be out. “I can’t thank GRM and Valvoline enough for giving me a shot and keeping me racing. I don’t know how to pay everyone back who has helped me get this far in Australia, I don’t think I will be able to. I just appreciate everyone’s help, and hopefully Trans Am becomes a pathway for young guys coming out of Formula Ford, not everyone can afford the big-budget categories, and I guess you can say I’m being a guinea pig for the guys like myself to push and break through the hurdles here in Australia. I think what I am doing proves that this is a genuine pathway for young drivers, the worlds a big place and we do forget that, I never thought America was an option, and I was bloody stressed midway through the year about how I sat in the Australian Motorsports landscape, although the Trans Am series has put me on this pathway, so I just have to sit down and strap in and see where this leads to.” Joe StevensOwner, Stevens-Miller Racing “I am excited to announce that Stevens-Miller Racing (SMR) has partnered with the talented professional driver Nathan Herne for the upcoming 2023 TA2 season,” said Stevens. “Nathan brings a wealth of racing experience and impressive accomplishments to our team, and we are confident that his skills behind the wheel will propel us back to winning championships. “Additionally, we are thrilled to expand our partnership with CUBE 3 as our newly appointed title team sponsor. With their innovative designs and our dedication to pushing the limits of what is possible in motorsports, I believe that our collaboration will be nothing short of exceptional. I look forward to seeing the results of our team's efforts and can't wait for the season to begin. Barry RogersGarry Rogers Motorsport “We are tremendously proud of what Nathan has achieved during his time with GRM which all began back in 2020 when we tested him in a Supercar,” said Rogers. “Nathan had just turned 18 years old, and Garry was so impressed with Nathan that it motivated him to enter a Bathurst Wildcard. “Unfortunately, Nathan was not given an exemption for a Superlicence although only 1-point short of automatically qualifying for one and the opportunity to race at Bathurst was gone. Subsequent rule changes to the Superlicence system that required drivers to compete in Super2 saw Nathan’s opportunity to race at Bathurst dissipate as the funding for such a program was not available. “Nathan put his head down and bum up and showed immediately his driving talents in Australia’s fastest race cars, the S5000’s and dominated the past two Trans Am seasons. We are so happy that Nathan has been given an opportunity in the US and it illustrates to young drivers there are many opportunities out there for those who have the talent and not necessarily the budget. “Nathan joins a long list of ex-GRM personnel to head overseas to further their Motorsport careers including James Small (Nascar Crew Chief), Ian Studley (F3 and GT lead mechanic), Pierre Luigi Orsi (Mercedes F1 engineer), Dexter Chiew (Alpine F1), Chris Harris (Renault F1) and Scotty McLaughlin (INDYCAR driver).”

2023 TA2 Muscle Car Series Calendar

Round 1 - Winton Motor Raceway (VIC), March 17-19 (Southern Series)Round 2 - Hidden Valley Raceway (NT), April 29-May 1 (Northern Series), Two-Driver EventRound 3 - Queensland Raceway (QLD), June 2-4 (Northern Series)Round 4 - Morgan Park Raceway (QLD), July 8-9 (Northern Series)Round 5 - Sydney Motorsport Park (NSW), October 13-14 (Southern & Northern Series)TBC - The Bend Motorsport Park (SA), October 27-29 (Southern Series)Round 6 - Calder Park Raceway (VIC), November 24-26 (Southern Series)

Two brand-new circuits and a marquee series of races in the top end highlight the 2023 TA2 Muscle Car Series calendar announced today, which will include a new free-to-air television deal with SBS, plus live coverage on Fox Sports.

The series will headline all six rounds of the newly-announced Hi-Tec Oils Super Series calendar in 2023 as well as a standalone southern region round in the planning stages at The Bend Motorsport Park. 

The six Super Series rounds will boast live free-to-air television coverage on SBS on the Sunday of each race weekend and simulcast on Fox Sports, extended coverage on weekly motorsport show Speedweek and a magazine-style show in between events as well as an expanded live streaming package.

The season will commence where it concluded a sensational 2022 series at Winton Motor Raceway. Victorian circuits will bookend the calendar with the grand finale at the revived Calder Park Raceway.

Calder Park has been a dormant circuit racing venue since 2008, with the Super Series finale to mark the circuit's return as a host of national-level motorsport.

The TA2 Muscle Car Series will make a highly anticipated racing debut in the Northern Territory, with Hidden Valley Raceway set to headline the first Australian TA2 two-driver series of races.

South-East Queensland will take in Rounds 3 and 4 in Winter, with Queensland Raceway hosting Round 3 in June followed by Morgan Park in July.

The fifth round will be a Friday/Saturday day/night fixture at Sydney Motorsport Park on October 13-14 which will combine rounds for both the Northern and Southern regional Series.

South Australia will host the penultimate round of the TA2 Southern Series at The Bend Motorsport Park on October 27-29, before the Calder Park finale in late November.

The popular Northern and Southern regional point score concept will return in 2023, with all rounds except The Bend featured as part of the new Hi-Tec Oils Super Series. Hidden Valley, Queensland Raceway, Morgan Park and Sydney Motorsport Park will double as Northern Series point scoring rounds, while Winton, Sydney, The Bend and Calder will be included as Southern Series rounds.

The overall winner of the TA2 Muscle Car Series will receive the TA2 Championship ring valued at over $5000, plus a fully refreshed exchange race engine valued at $22,000 subject to terms and conditions. Second and Third in the series will also receive gearbox and rear end exchange units respectively as part of the series prizes.

17-year old third-generation sensation Jett Johnson won the TA2 Muscle Car Series this year, and is working towards the Supercars ladder in 2023, while the Northern and Southern Series were claimed by Graham Cheney and Zach Loscialpo respectively, while Brett Niall won the inaugural TA2 King of the West title.

The TA2 Western Region point score will also commence in early March and feature events at both Wanneroo Raceway and the Collie Motorplex throughout the year.

Further event details and formats for 2023 rounds will be confirmed in the new year.

QUOTES

Craig Denyer, TA2 Muscle Car Series National Category Manager

“Our plan has always been to give drivers the opportunity to race at as many different tracks as possible, so to include Hidden Valley and Calder Park is awesome.

“We are looking at doing something quite special for Hidden Valley, working with the event promoters and the Hi-Tech Super Series team to come up with a concept where both drivers can earn championship points and have a two-driver finale with a compulsory driver change.  It’s early days and work in progress at the moment, however it should be exciting and a great point of difference.”

Josh Haynes, driver #37 Ford Mustang

“My first thoughts when I saw the calendar was wow! 

“To be racing down in Victoria at historic tracks such as Calder Park as well as taking on the very loved Hidden Valley Raceway in the Northern Territory is an absolute privilege. 

“Next year is going to be such an exciting year full of new tracks, drivers and battles, and I am more pumped than ever.

“The Team and I are working hard to prepare our new mustang for 2023. With the first round fast approaching already we are looking forward to showing everyone what we have in store.”

QUOTESKyle Gurton, #2 Nuveau Constructions Ford Mustang "Those last two races Jackson got his stuff together. We really had to push and fight for it and tried for a mistake, but Jackson was flawless in that last race and managed to take the last race win. "This was just a bit of testing towards the end of the year. We were just testing some different things with the car, but it is always good to come out and have a crack at the same time, but maybe next year we will be in TA2 a bit more hopefully.” “Awesome round from TA2 and Hytek, awesome for AMRS for putting it together. Thanks to all the officials and sponsors who made this happen." Jett Johnson, #117 NAPA Auto Parts Ford Mustang “I want to firstly thank all the guys on the spanners for me and making all this happen without Benny, TG and Dad we would not be here. All the sacrifices Dad has made and Mum for everything they do for me. "I want to thank all my sponsors NAPA, Shell, Pirtek and everyone else for all the support they have given me and believing in me, it's just incredible.” Nicholas Bates, #24 Precious Metal Panel Beating Ford Mustang “Its nice to have some guys to race at the same pace, it is very competitive but a whole lot of fun. "I am very happy, I can’t thank my crew enough cause we finished every race and I have made a mess of it sometimes but they have cleaned it up so it is pretty much down to them.”

QUOTESKyle Gurton #2 Micale Cabinets/Nuveau Group Ford Mustang  “I spent those last ten or nine laps just sitting behind Jackson [Rice] working out where he is strong. “I had an opportunity coming down the main straight, Jackson went a bit wide on the wet stuff. “I put my stuff up on the dash and went around the outside of turn one, it was a bit hairy out of one and two but I got the move done and got the win.”

The 2022 TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek has come down to the wire, with five racers in with a chance of glory heading into the final round this weekend, 18-20 November, headlining the Australian Motor Racing Series at Winton Motor Raceway.

14 cars are set to hit the track for the TA2 season finale, with the regional Victorian circuit to host its second round of the season after an action-packed round in June.

Heading into the season finale, NAPA Auto Parts Mustang driver Jett Johnson holds a healthy 91-point lead over IES Motorsport’s Graham Cheney.

The third-generation racer will be gunning for his first national title with his family-run Team Johnson outfit, and will compete at Winton with the assistance and support of both his Supercars round-winning father Steve Johnson, and five-time Touring Car Championship winning grandfather Dick Johnson. 

The first of the remaining contenders is Graham Cheney. The Bathurst-based racer has had a remarkable rise in motorsport after a transition to four-wheels from a successful background in off-road motorcycle racing. 

Cheney heads to Winton after a challenging build-up which included a stint in hospital with a lung infection, but the IES Camaro driver is ready to put his best foot forward at Winton.

Cheney scored his first circuit racing title by claiming this year’s TA2 Northern Series, while fellow New South Welshman Zach Loscialpo wrapped up the Southern Series title at the last round at Sydney Motorsport Park and sits fourth in the points heading into the season finale.

The championship scenario currently sits if Cheney were to win all four races this weekend, Johnson would only have to finish each race in the 14-car grid to score enough points to secure the title. However, if Johnson were to DNF a single race, he would need to finish second in each subsequent race to ensure the title goes his way, providing Cheney wins all four races.

An additional consideration for the championship contenders will include the return to the grid of the two Dream Racing Australia Mustangs of Kyle Gurton and Jackson Rice. Gurton and Rice starred in the series’ last visit to Winton, as Gurton won Race 1 over Johnson and Rice threatened for podiums all weekend.

Nicholas Bates sits third in the points, and also leads the Circo Masters Class (for drivers over the age of 50) ahead of Mark Crutcher and Paul Hadley.

Bates, the younger-brother of Australian rally stars Neal and Rick, has been a shining star in his rookie motor racing season with no circuit racing experience this year outside of Time Attack events.

Bates is also in strong contention for the RaceTech Rookie of the Year Award, with the winner to take home a RaceTech Simulator Starter Pack valued at $1999.99. 

Fellow rookies Josh Haynes and Dylan Thomas are absent from the final round. After a sensational rookie year which netted one pole position and three race wins, Haynes is out of action for the final round after completing shoulder surgery following the last round in Sydney, however Haynes is primed for a series return in 2023.

A worthy return to the grid for the season finale will be Queenslander Matthew MacKelden. The Kubota Racing driver returns in a NASCAR-inspired livery on the #99 Mustang following a ground-up rebuild by Team Johnson after a high-impact accident at Mount Panorama almost 12 months ago at the Bathurst 1000, with a shakedown completed on Wednesday at Queensland Raceway before heading south to Winton.

The TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek will have four 12-lap races at Winton Motor Raceway. Track action kicks off on Friday for practice, before Qualifying on Saturday at 10:25am followed by a Top 10 Shootout and Race 1 in the afternoon.

The final three races on Sunday will be live-streamed on the TA2 Racing Australia and AMRS facebook pages, as well as the AMRS YouTube channel.

QUOTES

Jett Johnson, #117 NAPA Auto Parts Ford Mustang

“I’m just going to cruise around and minimise our mistakes. I don’t need to win every race, just got to keep it on track and make sure we have the points in the bank to seal the championship.

“Dad and the team have just told me not to push it. We don’t need to race anyone or fight anyone, we just need to finish each race. We may end up being too conservative just to make sure we don’t make any silly mistakes and we can come away from the weekend with the championship.”

Graham Cheney, #51 IES Motorsport Chevrolet Camaro

“I’m a little bit nervous, there’s a bit of pressure to hold that second and try and keep as close as we can to Jett to help us out in the championship.

“We’ll be doing pretty much what we’ve done all season, try and be competitive and make sure we finish every race, as a DNF costs you so many points in this class, so we’ll try and stay out of trouble and stay up the pointy end.

“This year has been unreal. This is my first full season after the COVID years and I’m really enjoying it, I didn’t think we would be in this position going into it but it shows how important it is to be consistent and finish every race.

“After Sydney I got an infection in my kidneys and it jumped to pretty much every organ in my body including my spline which didn’t help. While I was in hospital I got pneumonia and spent a week in ICU. 

“Every day I’m getting better but still got a long way to get back to 100%. Last week I didn’t even think I’d been capable of driving a car, I struggled to walk 100 metres but we won’t know how I go until we start pushing and see how it goes. 

“The IES Motorsport team have been amazing, I wouldn’t be in the position we are without the team we’ve got. I haven’t had to touch anything, they’ve got it all under control as they always do so we’re looking forward to the weekend and we’ll give it our best shot.”

Matthew MacKelden, driver #99 Kubota Racing Ford Mustang

“The accident was by far the biggest of my career and its physically taken me 12 months to get my shoulder right.

“There wasn’t much left of the old car, maybe the steering wheel, the dash and some other bits and pieces so this is practically a totally brand-new car.”

“It’s been a complete rebuild which is why it’s taken so long. Steve [Johnson], Jett [Johnson and Ben Leeds have poured hours and hours into the project and the outcome is a work of art.”

“There is plenty of DNA from the US in these cars, so I wanted to make sure we paid homage to that by running something you’d see on a NASCAR.” said MacKelden.

“It’s simple and clean but it’s still clearly a Kubota sponsored car - I also reckons it looks bloody tough.”

SCHEDULE 2022 TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek Northern Series, Round 5 - Sydney Motorsport Park, Sept 30 - Oct 2 Local time: AEDT

Friday Practice 1 - 9:55am (20 minutes) Practice 2 - 11:35am (20 minutes) Practice 3 - 1:20pm (20 minutes) Practice 4 - 3:25pm (20 minutes)

Saturday Qualifying - 10:25am (20 minutes) Top 10 Shootout - 12:10pm Race 1 - 2:25pm (12 laps)

Sunday Race 2 - 9:25am (12 laps) Race 3 - 11:10am (12 laps) Race 4 - 1:05pm (12 laps)

ENTRY LIST 2022 TA2 Muscle Car Series framed by Hytek Round 5 - Sydney Motorsport Park, Sept 30 - Oct 2

PRO, #2 Kyle Gurton (QLD), Ford Mustang - Micale Cabinets/Nuveau Group MASTERS, #4 Mark Crutcher (NSW), Ford Mustang - Crutcher Developments MASTERS, #10 Peter Robinson (QLD), Dodge Challenger - Wagner Corporation PRO, #11 Michael Coulter (NSW), Ford Mustang - Kobelco/Sydney Truck & Machinery PRO, #21 Zach Loscialpo (NSW), Chevrolet Camaro - Tempest Solutions PRO, #22 Brad Gartner (SA), Ford Mustang - Castec Rural Supplies MASTERS, #23 John Holinger (VIC), Chevrolet Camaro - Holinger Racing MASTERS, #24 Nicholas Bates (NSW), Ford Mustang - Nicholas Bates Motorsport PRO, #28 Lee Stibbs (SA), Ford Mustang - MVA Racing/Arrow Car Sales PRO, #37 Jackson Rice (VIC), Ford Mustang - Immix MASTERS, #50 Paul Hadley (NSW), Chevrolet Camaro - Illawarra Engineering Services PRO, #51 Graham Cheney (NSW), Chevrolet Camaro - Illawarra Engineering Services PRO, #99 Matthew Mackelden (QLD), Ford Mustang - Kubota PRO, #117 Jett Johnson (QLD), Ford Mustang - NAPA Auto Parts