EXPANDED GRID FOR TA2 FINALE

Miedecke Motorsport joins TA2 for Sydney finale – Photo: Supplied

Performax TA2 Muscle Car Series will feature an expanded grid for the final round on the inaugural national series at Sydney Motorsport Park.

18 cars will be on the grid in Sydney this weekend with the series welcoming new additions, George Miedecke, Simon Tabinor and Drew Ridge who will make their debut the event.

Former V8 Utes and Australian GT competitor, Miedecke, joins the series this weekend as part of his family teams switch to TA2. The Port Macquarie racer will drive the No. 95 Dodge Challenger supported by the Miedecke Motor Group’s Ram Trucks franchise.

Miedecke Motorsport has also purchased a second car, a Ford Mustang, which is due to join the series in 2019.

“I’ve been convinced these cars were a great concept for a while,” said Andrew Miedecke, owner of Miedecke Motorsport and the Miedecke Motor Group.

“Given the departure of the GT cars we were always going to be looking for something. The more we looked at TA2, the more we liked the whole situation – the cars, the calendar, the way it’s being run, and given the planned expansion of the calendar next year, we are certain it’s the next big thing.”

Simon Tabinor also joins TA2 this weekend – Photo: Supplied

Tabinor, a two-time Australian Saloon Car Champion who has also competed in the Kumho V8 Touring Car Series, also joins the series for the first time, behind the wheel of the race the No. 45 Ford Mustang supported by South Eastern European – Prestige Vehicle Specialists and EPD – Exclusive Plumbing and Drainage.

“I saw the series at their first round at Winton and what impressed me most was how the cars are so well built, they’re proper race cars and everyone has the same equipment,” said Tabinor.

“I’ve won a couple of nationals championships, Victorian titles and races in England but after a while, all you want to do is go to the track, race your car and enjoy yourself without requiring a rocket scientist to set it up.

“The cars are awesome, the parity is ace and the people are fantastic. They could not have been more welcoming and everyone is so enthusiastic about the series.”

Drew Ridge will make his TA2 debut – Photo: Supplied

Central Coast teenager, Ridge, who previously raced in the Australian Formula 4 Championship and Toyota 86 Racing Series before heading over to Europe to race in the Audi TT Cup Series, is another driver sample the series this weekend ahead of a potential championship bid in 2019. The youngster joins the series in the No. 3 ikon Signs Ford Mustang prepared by Citroen Rally veteran Ron Cremen.

It’ll be the first appearance for Cremen’s newly-launched TA2 arrive-and-drive race team, with plans already in place to expand in 2019.

“We were up at Queensland Raceway to shake down Ron [Cremen]’s new car and to get a feel for the series. We decided together after that to do the final round of this year’s championship and look into doing the full season next year,” said Ridge.

“The car itself has a lot of mechanical grip, being a Hoosier rag tyre it likes to slide around on top of the surface but it’s still pretty stable.

“It naturally has a lot of oversteer but at the same time, it’s very controllable. It’s a weird sensation to get used to because it’s not as sharp and pointy, not as direct as some of the other cars I’ve driven especially coming from the front-wheel drive Audi TT last year.”

Lighthouse Electrical Chevrolet Camaro driver Ashley Jarvis holds a 16-point lead in the Performax Cup standings from the RoadBees Transport Mustang of Russell Wright, with the McAlister Motors/Performax Mustang of Hugh McAlister a further 19 points heading into the final round at Sydney.

For more of the latest national motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of Auto Action, on sale now. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.