MotorSport New Zealand has announced TA2 New Zealand has officially been granted Championship status for the 2025/26 season.
Now formally recognised as the TA2 NZ Championship, the category becomes the country’s newest national motorsport championship, marking a major milestone in the resurgence of cost-effective, competitive V8 touring car racing.
These modern-day muscle cars, based on the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Dodge Challenger, are built for performance and parity. As a Controlled Category, all cars run the same engines, gearboxes, drivetrains, and suspension, ensuring racing is tight, fair, and focused on driver talent.
With a thunderous soundtrack and eye-catching style, TA2 has quickly earned a reputation as one of the fastest-growing motorsport classes across Australasia, with over 150 cars already competing in Australia.
The category is championed and backed in New Zealand by touring car veteran Paul Manuell alongside Andrew and Alison Turner.
“Since our first attempt to launch TA2 and being stopped in our tracks in 2020 due to Covid, we have progressed steadily,” says Manuell.
“This season and particularly over the past six months, we’ve held seminar-style test drive days, allowing teams to experience the cars and see the global vision of TA2. Some true talent has and will arise from our category moving forward.
“We’ve built a second-to-none support network, with spare parts, technical backup, and years of racing experience, and we’re ready to hit the ground running in October.”
TA2 have already got their eyes on growth guided by a strong trans-Tasman partnership.
“When we set up TA2 in New Zealand with Peter Robinson from PBR Australia, it was vital we kept the cars identical to the Australian spec,” adds Manuell.
“That consistency opens doors for our drivers to compete in Australia and even the USA. Last year’s inaugural Trans-Tasman Challenge at Ruapuna and Highlands proved the concept, with 8 Aussie cars battling 8 Kiwis. This is just the beginning.”
Experienced category managers Gary Lathrope and Rachael Murray have been appointed by the series owners to manage the sporting side of the championship. Their appointment brings instant knowledge and experience in the operations of a national motorsport championship.
“After Meeting with Peter Robinson, the founder of TA2 in Australasia at the Bathurst 12 Hour over seven years ago we just fell in love with the concept of these cars,” said Lathrope.
“It’s been a dream of ours ever since to build and develop the TA2 class as New Zealand’s premier V8 category. It’s been a long time coming and finally with the help of Paul and Andrew we have finally got there.
“We all know how much kiwi motorsport fans love V8s and we have now finally got what they have been looking for. All the TA2 NZ teams are pumped to bring this incredible show to the fans.”
MotorSport New Zealand President Deborah Day commended the category’s development and future potential.
“TA2 embodies many of the values we look for in motorsport today; close racing, accessibility, and a clear pathway for talent development,” said Day.
“We’re proud to recognise TA2 NZ as a Championship category and look forward to seeing it flourish on circuits around the country. The foundation laid by Paul, Gary, and the wider team is impressive, and we believe TA2 will play a significant role in the future of New Zealand motorsport.”
The first round of the TA2 NZ Championship kicks off this October, bringing world-class muscle car racing to Kiwi fans.
Header Image: Tayler Burke
