Less than 24 hours after the TA2 Muscle Car Series parted ways with the Australian Racing Group (ARG), a national championship calendar has been announced.
Named the National Trans Am Series, the confirmed calendar comprises of six rounds. ARG currently hold the commercial, promotional and marketing rights for Trans Am racing in Australia and New Zealand. Earlier this month ARG acquired the rights from the Trans Am Race Company in the USA.
The TA2 Muscle Car Series run by PBR and National Trans Am Series by ARG will run independently of each other. Cars that have run in the TA2 Muscle Car Series will also be eligible for the National Trans Am Series.
The National Trans Am Series will replace the TA2 Muscle Car Series at the Adelaide 500. Races will also take place at Sydney Motorsport Park, Winton Motor Raceway, The Bend Motorsport Park, Phillip Island Circuit and Mount Panorama.
“ARG is extremely excited to launch the National Trans Am Series for 2020,” Australian Racing Group CEO Matt Braid said.
“Without doubt, the original aim was to have an integrated approach between ARG and PBR that would have seen a two-tier series – one for national competitors and one at a state level, providing choice for competitors.
“While we were close to finalising this arrangement, we eventually agreed that the best way forward was to operate independently.
“Trans Am cars are some of the most exciting race cars that are currently in Australia. They look and sound spectacular, create great racing and they are built with cost in mind.
“It is our goal to give these iconic brands like Mustang, Camaro and the Dodge Challengers the national footprint they deserves, and what better way to kick it off than at the Superloop Adelaide 500.
“Grid sizes will be capped to 32 cars. This is largely dictated by circuit densities, so this will strictly be on a ‘first in, first served’ basis.
“There are already close to 40 eligible cars in the country, and while we understand that there has been a level of uncertainty regarding the category, we firmly believe that a national-level series will be a great step forward for Trans Am competitors.”
Every race will be broadcast live via Network Seven in Australia, except for the season opener that runs in support of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.