Ward crowned TA2 Muscle Car New Zealand Champion
 "Ward crowned TA2 Muscle Car New Zealand Champion")
Veteran racer Peter “Kaos” Ward wrapped up the NZ TA2 Muscle Car title with a solid performance during last weekends final round at Hampton Downs. Driving the Ward Demolition Camaro, the former NZ V8 Ute champ qualified on pole position and secured enough points over the weekend to edge out last years Champ Andrew Turner for the series win.
Brett Rudd having his last TA2 drive before hanging up the helmet was a surprise winner in the final race, coming from the back of the grid over the weekend after missing the earlier sessions due to the sudden death of his father. Ward, Turner and Rudd all finished the season on the podium.
Ward is no stranger to the sport, having a raced in a variety of classes and been a keen supporter of drivers such as Shane Van Gisbergen over the years. He recently Captained the NZ TA2 team against the Australian representatives during the recent TA2 Trans-Tasman Challenge at Ruapuna Christchurch and Highlands Park in February. He won the 2022 NZ V8 Ute series then moved into NZ Muscle Cars before purchasing the PBR Spec TA2 Muscle Car.
Turner’s Nautech Mustang qualified 2nd to Ward, and after an incident in Race 1 finished 6th, 5th in Race 2 and 4th in Race 3 to be declared runner up to Ward at the final round for the season.
Rudd is also a former V8 Ute competitor, having raced in Australia at Mt Panorama representing New Zealand during the V8 Ute years, finishing second overall in the NZ V8 Ute series in 2013/2014 before graduating to the TA2 NZ series last year.
Interest in TA2 New Zealand has been growing steadily, with more cars now available for sale already in the country at Paul Manuell’s Eastern Automotive Performance Centre.
Plans are underway for a return NZ vs AUS TA2 Trans-Tasman Challenge as part of future event planning on both sides of the ditch.
QUOTES
NZ TA2 Category Manager Gary Lathrope
“Each year, the TA2 series steps up a level and Wardy is a worthy champion in a very competitive field which included Brent Collins, Ben Stewart, Steve Ros, Brianna and John Roberts plus others. He is a great ambassador for motorsport in New Zealand and with Jake Stoneman engineering the Camaro, a very competitive force on track. Congratulations to Andrew Turner and Brett Rudd, again solid performances to end up on the podium. We are in the process of planning the 24/25 calendar and expect our TA2 numbers to continue to grow in the off season as the series continues to impress fans and teams alike as a real V8 crowd pleasing category.”
