The thunder of V8s echoed through Mount Panorama today as the TA2 Australia Racing Series hit the track for qualifying and Race 1, which is a support category for the Bathurst 6 Hour.
Sharing the grid with the Trans Am Series, a massive 41-car field took to the mountain, with 17 entries flying the flag for TA2 in Round 2 of the 2025 TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series.
Among them was Kiwi rising star Ayrton Hodson, who only turned his first laps around the legendary Bathurst circuit on Friday. With just a single practice session under his belt, Hodson came out swinging—finishing seventh fastest among the TA2 runners and 24th overall in his maiden outing at the mountain.
It was an impressive feat for the Super2 driver, who is using the weekend as a vital learning experience ahead of a return to Bathurst later in the year.
In qualifying, Hodson turned heads. He slashed five seconds off his practice time in Q1, putting his No. 32 Ford Mustang—a former race car of TA2 Category Manager Matt MacKelden, now prepared by Ashley Jarvis Racing—into P2 in the TA2 class before red flags interrupted his flyer in sector 3.
Despite the setback, he backed it up in Q2 to lock in P4 for the TA2 field and 19th overall.
Had he completed that final lap in Q1, there’s every chance the 20-year-old would have been nudging the top 12 overall.
Fellow Kiwi Aaron Prosser also showed improvement, qualifying 11th in TA2 and 30th overall after running 33rd in Friday’s practice. Both drivers are piloting Ford Mustangs in the fiercely competitive field.
Race 1 delivered drama and pace in equal measure. Hodson stayed out of trouble and found his rhythm, starting with a 2:17.810 and steadily improving to a 2:14.768 by the chequered flag.
Hodson crossed the line 19th overall and fifth in the TA2 field—an exceptional result on debut at one of the most demanding circuits in the world.
Prosser, unfortunately, retired after six laps with mechanical issues.
The race saw a late shake-up when Robbie Farr [Trans Am Series] made contact with the wall at Turn 2, prompting a safety car with 10 minutes remaining. That set up a one-lap shootout to the flag, with only 33 cars left running after a series of incidents and retirements.
At the front, Jarrod Hughes made the most of his TA2 pole position, converting it into a commanding race win ahead of Ben Gomersall and Ben Davies.
Speaking to Velocity News post-race, Hodson was upbeat:
“I’m really happy with how today went. Every minute I’ve been able to spend going around here is a chance to learn and prepare for October when I’m back.”
Asked which part of the track posed the biggest challenge, the rookie didn’t hesitate:
“From Skyline to Forest Elbow—the sheer speed you carry heading down the mountain, throwing in the bends,” he said.
Hodson will return to the grid for Race 2 tomorrow at 11:55 am NZT, aiming to build on his stellar Bathurst debut and continue climbing the TA2 ranks.
Header Image: Speed Shots Photography
Saw Hodson racing for the first time at Taupo last Sunday where he won the TA2 class race at his first race weekend. Great follow up drive yesterday at Bathurst and good luck for today’s race!