The sons of Jason Bargwanna and Steven Richards, Ben and Clay, will join forces for the upcoming TA2 Tag Team Enduro round at Queensland Raceway August 14-17 which is the first time since 1998 the famous families have shared a car when Jason Bargawanna combined with the great Jim Richards in a GRM Commodore to take third place at the Bathurst 1000. 

Ben Bargwanna joined the Trico Trans Am Series at the beginning of the 2025 season while Clay recently made his series debut at Sandown in the ex Mark Crutcher Mustang with the families pitting beside each other for the round. 

With names such as Lowndes and Miedecki already confirmed, adding Richards and Bargwanna gives the event a distinct 90’s V8 Supercars feel when the crowds at Queensland Raceway where enormous. 

The TA2 Tag Team Enduro will feature 2 fifteen-minute sprint races for both drivers in addition to two 45 minute mini enduro races which will include pit stops and driver changes on Saturday and Sunday. 

The event also doubles as round five of the TFH TA2 Muscle Car Series Presented by Maritimo Luxury Yachts currently being led by Jarrod Hughes who is to be partnered with Craig Lowndes. 

QUOTES

Ben Bargwanna

"I’m really excited for the TA2 co-driver event, it’ll be my first endurance race in one of these cars, so it’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m also teaming up with Clay Richards, which makes it even more special.”

“We’ve raced against each other plenty over the years and grew up competing together, so sharing a car this time is going to be a cool experience. The tyre is a bit different from what I’m used to in Trans Am, but I’m looking forward to getting out there and giving it a solid crack.”

Clay Richards 

"I’m really excited to be teaming up with the Bargwanna family for the TA2 two-driver event at Queensland Raceway. Benny and I have grown up racing alongside each other, so it’s pretty special that this will be our first time sharing a car.”

“I just had my first taste of Trans Am at Sandown over the weekend,  it was a really positive debut and a great opportunity to start learning the car. I’m looking forward to building on that experience and seeing what we can achieve together in this event.”

Former TA2 and Trans Am front-runner George Miedecke will reunite with Marcos Ambrose Motorsport, teaming up with Josh Webster for next month’s TA2 Tag Team Enduro at Queensland Raceway, set for August 15-17.

In 2010, Marcos Ambrose played a pivotal role in securing a drive for George Miedecke with JTG Daugherty, while in 2011 Marcos Ambrose Motorsport was established and Miedecke became a key part of the team’s Junior Development Program.

Miedecke says that being able to rekindle his relationship with Marcos Ambrose Motorsport is pretty special. 

“I’ve had a long-standing connection with Marcos Ambrose, dating back to when he first spotted me racing in the V8 Utes back in 2009. I had a really successful year driving for him in the U.S, so it’s pretty special to be rekindling that relationship now and continuing our journey together.”

“I was at the Bathurst 6 Hour earlier this year catching up with Marcos, and he floated the idea. He then introduced me to the Webster's, who are all great people, and it all came together from there.”

Tasmanian racer Josh Webster has made a strong impression in the 2025 season, making his debut with Marcos Ambrose Motorsport and currently sitting fifth in the championship standings. 

Webster see’s partnering with Miedecke as a good learning opportunity and say’s he’s looking to lean on him.

"I’m really looking forward to the weekend. George is an incredibly capable driver, you only have to look at what he’s achieved in the GT4 Mustang. I’m keen to learn from his experience and work closely with both he and Marcos as a team.”

"We’ve had a tough run over the past few rounds with a bit of bad luck, so we’re hoping to turn things around at Queensland Raceway. The goal is to get back on track, move forward to where we know we can be, and bank some much-needed points."

Round five of the TFH Hire TA2 Muscle Car Series presented by Maritimo Luxury Yachts is the headline act for the Hi-Tec Super Series and kicks off August 15-17 at Queensland Raceway. Saturday and Sunday’s action can be watched live and free to air on SBS Free to Air, SBS On Demand and simulcast to Fox Sports and Kayo Sports. 

Seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner Craig Lowndes has been confirmed as the first co-driver for next month’s TA2 Tag Team Enduro at Queensland Raceway August 15-17, where he will partner with current championship leader Jarrod Hughes.

Hughes, who has claimed multiple wins this season in his Chevrolet Camaro, said partnering with someone like Craig Lowndes is unbelievable. 

"To have a legend like Craig Lowndes join me for the TA2 two-driver event is a dream come true” he said. 

“He’s one of the most respected and successful drivers in Australian motorsport history, and a driver I’ve looked up too since I was a little boy so to be sharing a car with him is something really special.”

“It’s a huge opportunity for me, both personally and professionally, and I’m looking forward to learning from someone with so much experience and success at the highest level."

Lowndes brings decades of experience to the driver line up and is looking forward to continuing his role as a mentor to younger drivers making their way into the sport, a role which also sees him pair up with stars of the future in the Supercheap Auto Wildcard program each enduro season in the Supercars Championship

While he’s never driven a TA2 car before, Lowndes said he’s received feedback from some of his colleagues and believes it may behave a bit like an older supercar with the way the car moves around under the driver.

“I spoke with a few of the guys that have driven these cars and the first thing they say is they’re a huge amount of fun and reminds them of an older supercar with the lack of aero and a tyre that gradually loses its grip so while it be a challenge, I can’t wait to get in and have a crack with Jarrod, “ he said. 

“I’ve seen the proposed entry list and it’s a pretty hot field so I hope the fans get down to Queensland Raceway and support the event because they sound awesome and the racing is tight which is what people want to see.” 

Hughes paired up with Tyler Cheney for last year’s TA2 Racing enduro at The Bend with the two young guns taking home the big prize, but Hughes said this year’s event is a whole other ball game with the momentum the series now has. 

“Winning last year with Tyler was super cool but this year anyone who gets on the top step will have done a mighty job as the talent in the 2025 Championship and in the Co Drivers ranks is next level.”

Round five of the TFH Hire TA2 Muscle Car Series presented by Maritimo Luxury Yachts is the headline act for the Hi-Tec Super Series and kicks off August 15-17 at Queensland Raceway. Saturday and Sunday’s action can be watched live and free to air on SBS Free to Air, SBS On Demand and simulcast to Fox Sports and Kayo Sports. 

Seventeen-year-old Alice Buckley not only claimed pole position and two race wins during RD 4 of the TFH Hire Muscle Car Series - presented by Maritimo Luxury Yachts at Queensland Raceway, but she also became the first female driver in Australia, and possibly the world to score pole position and race wins on debut in the TA2 category. Records show only Michelle Abbate scored a podium racing TA2 in the USA in 2020, but no outright race wins.

Team mate Jarrod Hughes wrapped up the round win for GM Performance but couldn’t catch Buckley today after she claimed the Roadactive Suspension pole award, and dominated both races in a classy, flawless performance - despite coming under pressure from 16-year-old Diesel Thomas in the last few laps due to the front left tyre deflating.

Josh Thomas finished 3rd for the round in the TFH Hire Mustang, 19 points behind Buckley.

Race 1 today saw Josh Webster off at the first corner, with Tyler Everett and Ben Gomersall also coming together out of Turn 6, dropping the Unit Mustang well back.

Josh Thomas and NZ’s Aryton Hobson ran side by side in Turn 3 with Hobson also going off at Turn 4 after a touch from Thomas while challenging for 3rd outright.

Hi-Tec Oils Brad Gartner ended up in the sand at Turn 6 calling for the second safety car, however on both re-starts, Alice Buckley, with Tim Slade on the radio, had team mate and series leader Hughes covered off to take the win. Mark Crutcher had a solid run into 7th outright taking 10 spots along the way.

In the 25-minute finale, Buckley again fired to lead the field, while Diesel Thomas jumped brother Josh at the start. Lachlan Evennett was running in P7 behind Hodson and Tyler Cheney while Tom Davies retired the Camaro early in the race. Gomersall was up to 12th by lap 4 from the back of the grid after taking the penalty for a new tyre, while Crutcher’s good run came to an end with tyre failure at Turn 3.

Diesel Thomas made the move on Hughes into Turn 3 for 2nd outright, with brother Josh following a lap later, then Gomersall also made the move on his charge to 4th outright and Hyperco Hard Charger Award for the round.

In the closing laps, Diesel Thomas closed quickly on the race lead, however with her front tyre deflating, Buckley held on to win by less than 3/10ths of a second, with Josh Thomas 3rd.

Graham Cheney won the Circo Master Class from Crutcher and Hi-Tec Oils Robbie Farr.

Evennnett won the Wilwood Big Braker Award for doing both TA2 and Formula Ford this weekend, while Des Collier claimed the AC Delco Power of Love Award after a massive crash in Darwin’s Trans AM event last weekend and backing up again this weekend.

Hughes still leads the series on 751 points from Gomersall on 541 with Josh Thomas in 3rd on 494 from Diesel Thomas and Josh Webster.

Round Five will be back at Queensland Raceway for a two driver feature event August 15/17.

QUOTES

Jarrod Hughes, #118 Road Active Suspension Chev Camaro
“It was a bit of an up-and-down weekend for us, but finishing first overall in the points was an awesome way to wrap it up. We tried a few setup changes in the last race and I was experimenting with some new lines myself."

"We’ll head back to the drawing board and put in a bit more prep before the next round, but I can’t thank my team enough. I love being around these guys, it’s always a good time, and every weekend like this means more valuable laps and experience for me.”

Diesel Thomas, #18 TFH Hire Ford Mustang
"P2 to finish the weekend, what a result! We’re really stoked with that. With a few more laps, I think we could’ve had a shot at Alice, but credit to her, she drove an awesome race. We went into the final knowing we had a strong tyre bank, and we expected the pace to be fast, and wow, it was quick. To come away with the fastest lap of the race and a podium, it’s honestly the best way I’ve ever finished a weekend.”

Series leader Jarrod Hughes and sensational teen rookie Alice Buckley made it an all Camaro front row for GM Performance at Round 4 of the TFH Hire Muscle Car Seres - presented by Maritimo Yachts during Queensland Raceway’s 2 Days of Thunder this afternoon.

Hughes won the $250 Roadactive Suspension Pole Award with a time of 1.1209, 4/10ths faster than Buckley in her TA2 racing debut. Unit Racing Mustang driver Ben Gomersall was a further 4/10ths back from Tom Davies and Josh Thomas.

With a change to the starting procedure to mirror that used in Nascar and Indycar Racing, Hughes led the field away while Buckley dropped back to position 5.

Josh Thomas in the TFH Hire Mustang dropped into 4th place, behind Camaro driver Tom Davies, being mentored by two-time Trans AM champ Nathan Herne.

Buckley regained 4th from Thomas into Turn 3 while Hayden Jackson bunkered the Dodge into Turn 6 after a driveline issue, and speedway legend Robbie Farr also went into the gravel at Turn 3 setting up a 2-lap safety car period.

Circo Master Class driver Mark Crutcher found some form and was pushing hard through the field passing Josh Webster, Graham Cheney and son Tyler before a universal joint let go in the #4 Mustang.

Gomersall finished second to Hughes with Davies, Buckley, Hodson, Josh and Diesel Thomas, Hayden Hume, Josh Wesbster and Lachlan Evennett rounding out the top ten.

Race Two in the late afternoon sun also saw a clean start for Hughes while team mate Buckley, in only her second rolling start in 5 years since her karting day, dropped back to position 9. Davies again put the pressure on Hughes, while Gomersall slotted into 3rd. Buckley started to hound Webster, the 17-year-old lining the Camaro up on Dick Johnson Straight and making the move stick between turns 1 and 2 in a classy move that would impress any veteran racer.

Davies closed on Hughes for the race lead into Turn 3 running side by side with Gomersall also in the tow and pushing hard. Lachlan Evennett pitted mid race after an off-track excursion but re-joined and Mustang driver Hayden Hume also had a strong race to split Josh and Diesel Thomas on the run to the flag.

Hughes extends his series lead with a flawless performance however with the potential for rain showers tomorrow at Queensland Raceway, rain masters Brad Gartner and Hayden Jackson are looking to the clouds to turn their weekend around.

Round Four of the TFH Hire TA2 Muscle Car Series - presented by Maritimo Luxury Yachts will be televised live during the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series on SBS, simulcast on Foxsport/Kayo from 1pm. 

QUOTES

Jarrod Hughes #118, Road Active Suspension, Chev Camaro 
“Race 2 was a bit tougher today. I had Tom Davies and Ben Gomersall right behind me for most of the race, which definitely kept things interesting. We’ll go back to the drawing board tonight and see where we can find those extra tenths to improve for tomorrow.”

Tom Davies, #42 Kilcoy Hotel Exchange, Ford Mustang 
“Race 1 was a great result with a P3 finish and a spot on the podium, which felt really good. Yesterday was tough, we were about two tenths off the pace, but we put on a new set of tyres and found the performance we were missing. We’ve got a clear idea of what needs improving, so we’ll regroup and go again tomorrow.”