Lowndes to take on TA2 with Hughes

Supercars star Craig Lowndes will take on the TA2 Muscle Car Series alongside championship leader Jarrod Hughes at next month’s Queensland Raceway enduro.

Lowndes and Hughes will race the Chevrolet Performance #118 Camaro in the TA2 Racing Series Endurance Round at Queensland Raceway on August 15-17.

It is a significant boost for Hughes, who already leads the TA2 Muscle Car Series title race by a comfortable margin of 210 points despite missing a round.

It is also massive for the category to attract a driver of the calibre of three-time Supercars champion Lowndes.

He remains one of the most recognisable faces in Australian motorsport and is an endurance racing expert with seven Bathurst 1000 wins and 11 other ATCC enduro wins.

The TA2 drive is possible through his connection with General Motors as a key figure of the Chevrolet Racing Program.

Craig Lowndes is ready for his first crack at TA2 in Chevrolet colours. Image: Supplied

Lowndes has been around the car already at the launch of Hughes’ teammate, Alice Buckley, who won at Queensland Raceway recently.

But Lowndes has never raced the Camaro Trans Am and cannot wait to get behind the wheel and help rising star Hughes, who is also set for his Supercars debut in September.

“I cannot wait to get behind the wheel of the TA2 Camaro with Jarrod,” said Lowndes. 

“I was lucky enough to be involved with the launch of Alice Buckley’s Camaro a few weeks ago.

“From everything I’ve heard, the TA2 is like a Supercar of old, you really need to muscle it to get the best out of it. 

“It’s a driving style that I love, and hopefully I can share a few insights with the young guns.

“It’s fantastic that GM continues supporting the next generation of motorsport talent. 

“I’ve learned from some of the greats I’ve grown up with, so for me it’s almost gone full circle to help transfer this knowledge and advice as best as I can to Jarrod and Alice.” 

It is fitting Hughes and Lowndes will join forces for the first time together at the “Paperclip” given that a then 11-year-old first met the seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner at the circuit back in 2016.

A young Jarrod Hughes with Craig Lowndes in 2016. Image: Supplied

Since then, Hughes has risen to become one of the leading young talents by racing a large number of categories from Excels, Toyotas, TA2s, Trans Am, GT4 and Super2.

TA2 is where is currently shining bright, having won six races from 10 starts in 2025.

To race alongside Lowndes will be a dream come true for Hughes.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Craig a few times for various events and activities with GM, but to now have the opportunity to co-drive with him is an opportunity I’ve had to really work hard for,” said Hughes.

“I met Craig about 12 years ago at Queensland Raceway, so for my first race with him to be at this track is a pretty cool opportunity and a moment I won’t forget.”

The drive is the latest sign of GM backing, given the manufacturer backs both the TA2 and Trans Am categories under the Chevrolet Performance brand with the supply of genuine LS3 crate engines to power both race series.

The Queensland enduro will be the fifth round of the seven-round TA2 Muscle Car Series season.

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