ARG MAKES TRANS AM QR CALL

Teams that hope to be racing Trans Am on the streets of Adelaide this year must compete in the next two rounds at Queensland and Bathurst or they will fail to qualify.

This is the new directive from Australian Racing Group (ARG), which “requires prospective competitors to compete in at least two Trans Am rounds in 2024 before being considered for entry in the series’ grand finale at the VAILO Adelaide 500.”

It also that states an owner of a Trans Am car that has not yet raced in the ARG-run SpeedSeries, will need to enter next month’s fifth round at Queensland Raceway, plus the Bathurst International, to ensure a place in the Adelaide field.

The Queensland round has already been a big focus point following a schedule change.

The original SpeedSeries calendar had a first trip to the “Paperclip” on July 12-14 before a return trip with different categories three weeks later.

But with a lack of racing categories to cater for two events and financial concerns, everything was squeezed onto the one August weekend.

Dream Racing Australia Team Principal Craig Scutella has thrown his support behind the sudden directive, despite teams having only a fortnight to make a call with Adelaide in mind.

Dream Racing Australia Team Principal Craig Scutella.

“The new ruling from ARG is a great initiative from the category manager to entice competitors to enter the remaining rounds of Trans Am in addition to supporting the loyal, existing entrants.

“It is a credit to both PBR and ARG to have aligned their businesses to ensure the continued success of both TA2 and Trans Am through this tough economic period.”

Despite the situation, he also noted the quality of racing so far this season.

“Trans Am Series in 2024 has gone to a higher level,” Scutella said, in reference to the standard of racing.

“It has been spectacular – fast, tight and combative. The Seven Network’s TV ratings reflect this as the standards of the drivers and teams is ‘pound for pound’ the best on the Australian motorsport landscape.

“DRA is expected to have an expanded team at Bathurst and Adelaide in what will be the biggest fortnight of our year.”

There has however been one extra entry for Queensland announced with TCR star Jordan Cox to announcing he will be racing for Holinger Engineering – his first time racing in the Trans Am category.

The Queensland round will be held on August 2-4, while the Bathurst and Adelaide meetings are both in November.

Image: DANIEL KALISZ PHOTOGRAPHER

READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION DIGITAL HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.