TA2 IN ADELAIDE 500 SUPPORT STORM

TA2 in Adelaide 500 support storm – Photo: InSyde Media

SUPERCARS is reportedly trying to block the inclusion of TA2 on the Adelaide 500 support race program.

By MARK FOGARTY & BRUCE NEWTON

It is the latest shot in the escalating war with Australian Racing Group, which has taken over category management of TA2 in addition to Touring Car Masters.

While Supercars wants the popular classic-look TCMs on the Adelaide undercard and some of its other events, it is believed to be objecting to TA2 – which features V8-powered Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro “silhouette” racers.

While the Adelaide 500 is one of only two championship events not promoted and run by Supercars, it has some veto rights over so-called rival categories.

It exercised that right in blocking ARG from staging the opening round of the TCR Australia Series at the Adelaide Parklands circuit in what would have been a double touring car season-opener.

And in an added twist, Supercars is playing the Intellectual Property (IP) card as its main objection to TA2, claiming the cars’ body shapes and branding are not approved by Ford Australia and GM Holden.

There have been suggestions that Broadmeadows supports Supercars’ opposition to TA2s running at the Adelaide 500.

However, Auto Action’s enquiries have revealed that neither Ford nor Holden are concerned about the TA2 Mustang and Camaro lookalikes.

Without specifically referencing Adelaide support races, Supercars supremo Sean Seamer admitted that there were IP concerns about TA2.

“We are in discussions with ARG about all their support categories and we are in discussions with them about the IP of their TA2 cars,” Seamer said. “Obviously, we have very strong and important relations with GM and Ford in the main series, so we have to be protective of that.

“But we are talking to ARG about TA2 and all of their categories, and those conversations have not finished.”
In the Adelaide 500 contract, Supercars is the exclusive touring car category allowed on the program. Supercars then extends an invitation to Super2 to compete, as it is allowed to invite a couple of categories on to the program.

Asked if the exclusivity clause had been invoked in relation to TA2, Seamer hedged: “No, it’s an IP discussion.”

He agreed the issue was about TA2 racers being identified as Ford Mustangs and Chev Camaros, and claimed Ford and Holden shared the concern.

“We all do,” Seamer said. He added: “It’s a bit hard to talk about IP and commercial discussions with manufacturers. I am not stonewalling you. There is a category that runs Mustangs and Camaros that needs to get their IP approvals.”

Seamer also denied there were frictions with ARG, which has expressed an interest in buying Supercars.

“[The relationship is] not difficult at all,” he said. “Everyone here is friends with those guys. I still catch up with James (Warburton, ARG non-executive director and Seamer’s predecessor as Supercars CEO) and have a beer with him.

“We are not treating them any different to anyone else. James is still a mate.”

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