SPORTS SEDANS TO HIT THE STRAIT

In both sight and sound, the Precision National Sports Sedan Series spent 2023 as somewhat of fan favourite on the Supercars bill at both the Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast 500.

Now 2024 kicks off at Symmons Plains on March 15-17 at the SpeedSeries Round 2.

Whilst Tasmania has proved logistically difficult for some regulars, the series will arrive with 18 cars to start its five round season.

A couple of big names that will unfortunately miss likely includes the record breaking Alfa Romeo GTV of Tony Ricciardello, as well as John Gourlay’s Jordan Caruso-driven Audi A4, which is still awaiting engine parts from abroad, whilst Kiwi Angus Fogg’s 1970 Fastback will also be missing.

The likes of Ashley Jarvis (Monaro) and Steve Tamasi (Calibra) have stamped their tickets though, as has the MARC GT Mustang that swept the Gold Coast 500, which will be steered by Jeff Taunton.

Some further good news is the addition of NSW brothers Matt and Peter Ingram in their respective Mazda RX machines to give the front of the field a shake.

The 1984 Ford XE Falcon of Ryan Humfrey will come from WA, whilst from NSW, Steve Lacey will comes in a new MARC car, as will Mark Duggan in the Aston Martin DB and Scott Cameron in the 2006 VS Commodore.

National Sports Sedans’ last race of 2023 was on the streets of the Gold Coast. Image: John Morris-MPIX

Some locals include Steve Gangell, Kim Barwick, and Alex Williams – whose Mazda RX8 will look the part alongside the Ingram machines.

The quality of the field will also build as the season progresses, with the returning Caruso and Ricciardello for Round 2, as well as some new cars that are coming; one of which may be steered by GT3 racer Ricky Capo, as well as a new Gourlay Audi A4 and the long anticipated appearance of Daniel Tamasi’s Nissan 300 ZX.

Category manager and racer Micheal Robinson says he’s excited for the series to back-up a scintillating 2023.

“Last year really set the expectations, and it’s encouraged a number of competitors to both join and return. It also an important thing to get back to Tassie  after more than 20 years away.

“And the new cars that we’ll see entering over the course of the year will really spice up the season as it progresses. We may even see some at The Bend in Round 2, where there will be lots talented drivers coming together.”

Symmons Plains Raceway will come alive with all the action of the AWC Race Tasmania meet in two weeks’ time, where the National Sports Sedan Series will kick off.

It’s the second round of the 2024 Shannons SpeedSeries which will see five categories on the track just south of Launceston from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 March.

The Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, Trico Trans Am Series, ACL Race Series Hyundai Excels, Sparco Tassie Tin Tops, and Drift League Tasmania are also on the bill.

The Hyundai Excel drivers are competing for $10,000; the biggest Hyundai racing prize ever in Australia.

A free grid walk will allow spectators on track before race two of TCR and Trans Am.

The AWC Race Tasmania track program and 7mate free-to-air telecast schedule, alongside more information and ticketing details, can be found at racetasmania.com.au.

There’s lots more loaded into a bumper edition of AUTO ACTION magazine, on sale at newsagents and available digitally here.

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