Australian racer Declan Fraser will join the New Zealand TA2 Championship at Taupō Motorsport Park next weekend, adding another accomplished international driver to the growing championship.
Fraser is no stranger to the Taupō circuit, having raced there during the Supercars Championship event in April. His return to New Zealand will see him take on the American V8 muscle cars of the TA2 Championship, joining a competitive field featuring Mustangs, Camaros and Challenger-bodied cars.
Having already experienced the fast and flowing Taupō circuit earlier this year, Fraser looks forward to returning to a venue he enjoys, though he hopes for more favourable weather this time around after April’s event was disrupted by Cyclone Vaianu.
“I really enjoyed racing at Taupō earlier this year. It’s a fantastic circuit with a great mix of corners, and I’m looking forward to getting back there. Hopefully the weather is a bit kinder to us this time around after the cyclone in April!”
The Australian brings an impressive racing résumé, highlighted by winning the 2022 Dunlop Super2 Series Championship with Triple Eight Race Engineering. Fraser claimed four race victories on his way to securing the title, establishing himself as one of Australia’s leading young touring car talents.
That same year, Fraser made his Bathurst 1000 debut alongside seven-time Bathurst winner Craig Lowndes in a Triple Eight wildcard entry, with the pair recording an impressive eighth-place finish.
While Fraser has experience in a variety of V8 racing machinery, the TA2 Championship presents a different challenge, and he is looking forward to getting amongst the New Zealand field.
“I’m really looking forward to jumping into a TA2 car and getting amongst the New Zealand field. The racing looks really competitive, and there are some quick drivers in the championship, so it should be a lot of fun.
“It’s always good to race something different, left-hand-drive, H-Pattern gearbox, new tyre. I’m keen to get out there, have a crack and see how we go.”
The SP Tools New Zealand TA2 Championship will contest three races at Taupō Motorsport Park, comprising two 10-lap races and a final 12-lap encounter, with Fraser joining the field for what promises to be another competitive weekend of V8 racing.
Header Photo: Supplied
