TFH Hire Services extends partnership with TA2 Racing Australia for the 2024 Season

Posted on 11 April 2024
TFH Hire Services extends partnership with TA2 Racing Australia for the 2024 Season

TFH Hire Services is proud to announce it has joined forces with the TA2 Muscle Car Series - framed by HYTEK Steel Framing for the 2024 Season, not only backing Josh Thomas in the TFH Ford Mustang, but stepping up as co-naming rights partner for all series rounds.

TFH is an Australian family owned and operated business that has been running for over 30 years with 38 branches across Australia. They specialise in the supply of quality temporary fence hire and other hire products for the construction, civil and event industries. TFH Hire is one of Australia’s most successful privately owned temporary fencing companies manufacturing majority of their fencing and hire products at their head office site located in Kingston, Brisbane.

The TA2 Muscle Car Series is one of the fastest growing motorsport categories in Australia, with an action-packed grid of Ford Mustang’s, Chevrolet Camaro’s and Dodge Challenger’s, and recently launched into New Zealand with a two round Trans-Tasman series.

After stepping up from a Toyota 86 programme, Josh Thomas raced the TFH Hire Services Ford Mustang in the last few TA2 rounds last year, however, is set for a full season this year and is expected to be competitive with the Mustang prepared out of the TFH Racing Team factory in Queensland.

TA2 National Category Manager Craig Denyer says the growth of TA2 and the expanded media platform for 2024 offers all partners a great way to profile their product on the national stage at a fraction of the cost normally associated with mainstream motor racing.

Round One of the 2024 TFH Hire Muscle Car Series -   framed by HYTEK Steel Framing kicks off at Sydney Motorsport Park under lights April 19/20. Catch all of Saturday’s action live on SBS, Fox Sports/Kayo as well as Speedcafe.

QUOTES

Brett Thomas, Owner of TFH Hire

“We decided to become a major sponsor with the TA2 Muscle Car Series as it is a well-controlled category where you get your value for money and there is always very competitive racing. There is a parts truck on site so we don’t have to carry inventory on parts. It is a real family vibe and thats what we love. 

As a national class I see the industry really growing over the next couple of years, especially this year with the introduction of televised broadcasts. There is a lack of financial backing in the racing industry for both the drivers and categories, so TFH Hire are thrilled to be supporting the TA2 Muscle Car Series.”

Josh Thomas, #169 TFH Hire Ford Mustang

“I am really looking forward to competing in the TA2 Muscle Car Series for the full season, and I think that with the couple of races I had last year with the series I can really make a push and start putting the pieces together to have a competitive run this year.” 

Craig Denyer, National Category Manager

“The Hi-Tec Oils Super Series has one of the most extensive domestic free to air television and media packages available in Australian motor sport and its great we can offer our partners the chance to promote their brand on the national stage over our six round series that covers 5 states of Australia. TFH Hire have been active in many areas of the sport for many years and know the benefits the sport can offer in building brand awareness and customer loyalty.  Along with our long-time partner HYTEK Steel Framing, who has  also extended their commitment for this year, we are set for one of the most strongest and competitive seasons yet.”

 

Hayden Jackson enters into technical alliance with Dream Racing Australia

Posted on 8 April 2024
Hayden Jackson enters into technical alliance with Dream Racing Australia

Young Newcastle-based driver Hayden Jackson has formed an official technical alliance with Dream Racing Australia for the 2024 TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series.

Jackson was a multiple pole position winner in the highly competitive Toyota GAZOO Racing Australia 86 Series in what was a five year stint, before making the step up to the TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series last season.

Running as a privateer family squad for most of the season, a link up with Dream Racing Australia occurred during his campaign and ended up becoming a technical alliance by the year’s finale at Calder Park.

The technical alliance bore fruit straight away when Jackson scored his TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series podium in the final race of the season.

A driver to watch in the TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series this season, Jackson is eager to continue his rapid development in the category using Dream Racing Australia’s large pool of experience to aid in his aim to become a consistent frontrunner.

Jackson will join Dream Racing Australia’s full-time driver Lee Stibbs in forming the squad’s TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series line-up in 2024.

The season starts as part of the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series at Sydney Motorsport Park on April 19-20.

QUOTES:

Hayden Jackson, #81 Maitland Glass and Windscreens, Dodge Challenger

“Last year we ran with Dream Racing Australia at Calder Park and we got a podium in the final race, so we were trending in the right direction,” Jackson explained.

“We not so much ran with Dream Racing Australia throughout last year, but we did have a little bit of technical support, while we were learning last year. 

“We got along with Frank (Mezzatezza) so well at Calder Park last year that we needed to have him with us. All the guys that are part of the team such as Craig, Cam and Ben are all awesome people, so the alliance has been bloody awesome.

“It’s just a completely different beast compared to what I have driven before, so it’s just about learning how to trust a slick tyre and how to drive the car without using too much rubber. I’ve learnt in the TA2 car patience is key in regard to stepping on the power.

“Aligned with Dream Racing Australia now, we’ll find a lot more pace and we’ve gained the step we were missing previously. Dream brings the expertise and guidance to take me to the next level that we know we can race at. We’ve proven in other categories we’re competitive with the right knowhow and that’s what Dream brings.

“Racing at what is our closest circuit to start the season has its advantages as I’ve got plenty of laps under my belt at Sydney Motorsport Park, but there is an added pressure to make sure we perform.

Craig Scutella, Team Owner, Dream Racing Australia

“We spotted Hayden last year whilst running Jackson Rice (now Trans Am) to a successful campaign in TA2,” explained Scutella. 

“On occasions Hayden had raw pace but inconsistency was the greatest issue. From the outside it looked like the driver was better than the car.

“After a discussion with Colin (Hayden’s father and mechanic), DRA (Frank Mezzatezza) engineered the car at Calder Park in the last event of the TA2 season and Hayden achieved a podium against very strong competition in testing track conditions.

“Colin and mother Lurrene are turbocharged to ensure that Hayden has a successful 2024 in TA2 and DRA (Cameron Fisher, Kim Jane and the crew) are planning a strategic approach to synchronise the race car to better Hayden’s special talents.

“TA2 (founded by Peter Robinson and now navigated by Craig Denyer) competition has risen every year and 2024 will be super competitive, indeed TA2 and Trans Am arguably is as/more competitive as other feeder categories into Supercars.

“DRA are proud to be running Hayden and Lee in 2024, both prodigious talents and both capable of giving the TA2 Championship a huge shake.”

 

2024 TA2 Muscle Cars Series Season Launch

Posted on 5 March 2024
2024 TA2 Muscle Cars Series Season Launch

With the 2024 TA2 Muscle Car Series Season approaching fast, this weekend the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series is giving drivers, categories and commercial partners an opportunity to not only test before the racing season kicks off, but also to show the media what the series is all about. This event will be held at Winton Motor Raceway March this Friday and Saturday and is a free family friendly event that is open to the public. 

The Hi-Tec Oils Super Series 2024 Season launch will give drivers and categories an opportunity to gain media exposure to be used throughout the 2024 racing season coverage on SBS, Fox Sports and Kayo Sports. Over the two days, local and motorsport media will be on track, series and team’s partners, and if fans book their  ticket in by the 6th March through the Hi-Tec Super Series web site, they can be in the draw to win 1 of 5 hot laps in a Hi-Tec Oils Race Car, Drift Car and V8 Race car. 

TA2 Muscle Car series regulars Nicholas Bates, Josh Haynes, and Hayden Jackson will be there this weekend showing off new liveries and testing the cars, plus TA2 series rookie Domain Ramsay will hit the track this weekend for the first time in his #71 Chevrolet Camaro. Ramsay comes from a speedway background and has never done any circuit racing on bitumen. 

The 2024 TA2 Muscle Cars Series season framed by HYTEK Steel Framing, kicks off at Sydney Motorsport Park under lights, April 19-20. You will be able to catch all of the weekend’s action live on SBS, Fox Sports Channel 506 and Kayo Sports. More details on schedule and broadcast times are to come closer to Round 1. 

QUOTES
Domain Ramsay, #71 C & H Trucking Chevrolet Camaro

“All of my motorsport history comes from speedway and I have never done any bitumen racing. I am very excited to test my brand new Chevrolet Camaro at Winton Motor Raceway this weekend. It is going to be a very steep learning curve for us. 

For the upcoming season all we want to do is obviously finish all the races, without being an issue to anyone else, as well as progressing and moving up each round. I have spent a few days up at Norwell Motorplex with Paul Morris doing some driver training to learn the techniques we will need for circuit racing. I still have a long way to go but it is a step in the right direction.” 

 

Herne last to first win to claim first TA2 Trans Tasman Title

Posted on 18 February 2024
Herne last to first win to claim first TA2 Trans Tasman Title

(Photo: Joel Hanks) 

Round two of the FN Roading TA2 Trans-Tasman Challenge this weekend  at Highlands Park saw an epic last to first drive from Australia’s Nathan Herne to win the inaugural TA2 Trans-Tasman title in what was the first inter country TA2 competition staged worldwide.

Herne dominated both the first round in Christchurch, and all sessions at Highlands Park to claim the Howe Motorsport Enterprises Trans-Tasman trophy. 

After winning this morning’s race comfortably and all but unbeatable in the point score after local gun Ben Stewart had a clutch issue, Herne accepted the $1000 bonus put up by SP Tools to start from the rear of the grid for the final race.

NZ’s Brent Collins and Australia’s Graham Cheney started on the front row with Brad Gartner and Mark Crutcher sitting in behind, followed by Greg Keam and Michael Coulter.

Conditions were hot for the 20-lap feature race and on lights out, it was a clean start with Herne picking off three in the first lap. He continued to push forward lap after lap, delivering a lesson to all in tyre management and car control.

Collins put in a good stint at the front after changes to ride height and suspension between races, before Cheney’s IES Camaro made the move stick under brakes to take the lead.

NZ Team Captain Peter Ward made it hard for Herne initially however the cool 21-year-old backed the Dodge into the hairpin then switched back and drove up the inside of Ward to take the spot.

A mid race safety car was called after Sydney’s Michael Coulter had an electrical issue causing the fuel pump to stop in the Turps Tippers Camaro.

On the re-start Herne again was relentless in his pursuit of the $1000 bonus, taking the lead with ease setting fastest laps along the way.

Ward and Crutcher had a good dice, before Ward got up the inside of the Aussie Team Captain through Turn 14 running side by side down the Main Straight before Crutcher backed out at the bus stop, a slowly deflating tyre dropping him back through the field.

Showing much improved form this weekend, Paul Hadley made a move on Andrew Turner at the Turn 9 hairpin, turning the Kiwi around with Maurice Shapley also involved, the IES Camaro being parked up behind the barriers with damage. Anthony Tenkate read the situation well to miss all three cars and move into 10th.

Gunnedah’s Greg Keam had a solid run in the Debeer Refinish Mustang to finish 6th behind Brad Gartner with Crutcher, Steve Ross, Brett Rudd and Anthony Tenkate rounding out the top 10.

Herne was presented with the Tran Tasman Trophy on the podium, along Cheney and Brent Collins from NZ, while Team Captain Mark Crutcher had the honour of accepting the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy on behalf of the Australian Team.

The Trans-Tasman Challenge proved a great platform for the launch of TA2 as a standalone V8 Series in New Zealand and all teams are keen for a rematch in Australia in the seasons to come.

 

QUOTES

Nathan Herne

“This was an awesome experience and I have to thank Chas Howe, Peter Robinson and Cam Sendall for making this happen.

“To be working again with Dad takes us back to the way we did it years ago and I was really happy how its all worked out.”

Peter Robinson

“I think this has been one of the best weekend’s ever for TA2. Gary Lathrope, Rachael Murray and Paul Manuell have worked tirelessly to get this across the line,  thanks to Tony Quin, Josie and all at this world class facility plus  Brendon White from Super Sprint NZ and his team for backing us and giving the opportunity to showcase what a great category this really is.”

 

 

Herne dominates Race 1 in TA2 Aus vs NZ Trans-Tasman Challenge at Highlands Park

Posted on 17 February 2024
Herne dominates Race 1 in TA2 Aus vs NZ Trans-Tasman Challenge at Highlands Park

(Photo: Joel Hanks) Clearly with a point to prove in an effort to secure another full-time drive in the USA for this season, Lismore’s Nathan Herne made it four wins in a row after dominating todays FN Roading TA2 Trans-Tasman Challenge Race 1 at Highlands Park. 

Herne won by just over six seconds from New Zealander Ben Stewart’s Camaro and Brad Gartner in the second of the PBR Dodge Challengers 3rd outright.

Herne also dominated this morning’s qualifying session by almost 2 seconds although Ben Stewart’s camber shims fell out on the out lap, leaving the eighteen-year-old with a loose upper control arm for the session.  Herne picked up the SP Tools $500 Pole Award.

An Aussie tri-fecta of Gartner, Crutcher and Cheney locked out the next 3 grid positions, all within a second, from Brent Collins and NZ Team Captain Peter Ward.

Under perfect weather and with a high track temperature, Herne jumped well on the green for the first 10 lap sprint race to lead Stewart into the bus stop and the long Southern Loop.

Crutcher came under pressure from NZ’s Brent Collins Camaro mid race with the Kiwi making a beautiful move under brakes off the Highlands Park overpass, then two running side by side until Collins pulled ahead on the Main straight.

Graham Cheney then attacked Crutcher for fifth outright when the number #4 Mustang developed selector issues and he was forced to hold it in second on certain parts of the track.

Current NZ TA2 Champion Andrew Turner had a lose at Turn 9 when he locked the rear brakes and again tagged the wall when running off line at the Southern Loop. Maurice Shapley also had a moment coming on the straight and tagged the wall with the rear off the Dodge causing no damage.

Michael Coulter in the Turps Tippers Camaro finished 8th, from Keam, Ross and Hadley, with Anthony Tenkates Mustang in 13th.

With only 2 races to go, another 10 lap sprint race and a 20 lap final, Australia leads the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy by 245 points to 175 with Herne dominating the Howe Motorsport Enterprises Trans-Tasman Championship and promising something special tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s races from Highlands Park will be televised by Sky Sports New Zealand and Fox Sports/Kayo in Australia.

 

QUOTES

Nathan Herne

“The car's in a happy spot. With these cars, you can definitely find a window with them and when they're in that window, they're very easy to work on and drive. It’s a credit to everyone who's helped me out over the years, to develop this setup and it works.

“I've had a few hiccups in the off season. Unfortunately, so that has held the plans. Originally I was going back to America to do the full season and had a few things lined up with Chev and a lot of things like that. Right now I'm on the back foot, we're just working that all out now.

“These two weeks have been a bit of a test for me to see how I can do this and see how I can run the car myself which opens the door for a few more opportunities so maybe I might have to do a privateer effort in a few different series, but we'll just wait and see.”

Ben Stewart

“I struggled to hold on the tyres and also caught some lapped traffic around the loop which hurt me a bit, but  there's no way I was going to really get to Nathan and towards the end I decided to bring it back and save the tyres because I've got a lot of racing to do tomorrow and no need to really wear out the tyres for no reason.

“I've only come here once in a Mazda, and then in a TA2 it's just feels like you're constantly turning the wheel the whole time and changing gears. You don't really get a break around here, but it's probably one of my favourite tracks in New Zealand.”

Brad Gartner

“It was a good run. Nathan's unreal, Ben's good, but no one's got much for Nathan, so if I can finish off in the top three this weekend, I'll be pretty happy.

“Just like to say massive thanks to everyone back home. Pa, I know you're watching, so thanks for everything and it's been a tough week back home for everyone,and thanks to my whole team.