Australian Trans-Am Association

[Steve Holmes]

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The original Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans-Am series first began in 1966, and although discontinued briefly in 2006, was reinstated three years later. For much of its history the Trans-Am has catered to space-frame race cars with replica fibreglass or carbon-fibre bodies mounted on top, but in its formative years, it was actually based on factory production cars.

Even to this day, the Trans-Am's most famous era was that of 1966 - 1972, when it was bolstered by heavy factory involvement, big-name drivers, and when the cars were actually closely related to what could be bought off the showroom floor. Many of the cars from this era still exist, and although they demand a premium, their enthusiastic owners are happy to get them out and exercise them on a regular basis. More info on Historic Trans-Am can be found at: http://www.historictransam.com

However, on the other side of the world, in Queensland, Australia, in more recent years another series that celebrates that period of the Trans-Am has also been created; the Australian Trans-Am Association (ATA). The ATA is open to 2-door, 4-seat, rear wheel drive, V8 powered American production vehicles built from 1963 - 1974. ATA rules are based on those of the original SCCA Trans-Am, though with some tweaks to help retain costs, such as a Hoosier cross-ply control tyre, and several engine restrictions to keep horsepower levels down, and preserve the life of drivelines and other components. Wheel size limits are 15" x 8.5". Just as in the SCCA Trans-Am, all ATA races have a rolling start.

With several people from the ATA either members or regular visitors to The Roaring Season, I felt it time we created a dedicated thread for this fast growing category, for anyone interested in the class. So here it is guys.

In the meantime, check out the ATA website: http://www.transamracing.com.au/

[DewiAusTransAm]

MOTOR sport enthusiasts will be treated to thrilling, high speed action when the Tenkate Plant Hire Australian Trans Am Championship roars into action for round four of their series at the Queensland Racing Drivers Championship (QRDC) meeting at Queensland Raceway (QR) this weekend. Although there will be a limited number of competitors on track compared to preceding rounds, spectators should still expect to see plenty of exciting racing coupled with sideways action, smoke and fire.

Current series leader and president of the Australian Trans Am Association, John English attributed a packed calendar as the reason why some competitors are sitting out this weekend. ‘There will be limited numbers at QR this weekend as we have had 3 race meetings in 6 weeks with many cars suffering mechanical and panel damage. Therefore a number of guys have had to park their cars until the next race meeting.’ said English.

Australian Trans Am driver and engine builder, Ian ‘Woody’ Woodward commented that although some drivers will be missing, this round will see some drivers returning to the fold. ‘The 3rd race meet in 6 weeks with a quality field to entertain this weekend at QR. This meeting will see the debut of John Samios’ Ford Mustang which will be another strong runner in the Australian Trans Am series. Martin O’Kane is back with his Chevrolet Camaro along with Terry Carter in the AMC Javelin. In all there are 5 Mustangs, 3 Camaros, a Javelin and a Firebird taking part this weekend. This is still quite a healthy field after all the racing of late,’ said Woodward.

Australian Trans Am regular John Lord is letting his son, Tobias take the wheel this weekend in the ‘Channel Nine’ Camaro. Lord is confident that Tobias can match his performance from his previous outing. ‘The Channel 9 tribute Chevrolet Camaro is back at QR this weekend with Tobias behind the wheel. He’ll be pressing the front runners again, having made 5th overall for the whole weekend at the Lakeside outing. He’s also keen to push up in the standings of the Fataz [Sportsman Series] Competition Trophy too, having won the Lakeside round and now running 4th overall. Tobias is doing well despite this being his fourth race meeting ever,’ said Lord.

The Tenkate Plant Hire Australian Trans Am Championship aspires to celebrate the rich history and tradition of the 1960′s – 1970′s style U.S Trans Am Racing Series, while providing motorsport fans with exciting door-to-door racing action. The Australian Trans Am is one of the more exciting motor racing categories in Australia and is a crowd favourite among spectators. For more information on the Tenkate Plant Hire Australian Trans Am Championship, head to their website at http://www.transamracing.com.au/ or the Australian Trans Am Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SELECTFAB for all updates. If you are interested in seeing photographs from the Tenkate Plant Hire Australian Trans Am Championship head to the Dewi Jones Photography Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/DewiJonesPhotography

Written by: Iwan Jones

[John McKechnie]

I never realized that the Australian Trans-Am was for American production vehicles only

[Steve Holmes]

Yes thats right John, even though the Under 2 litre class cars (which included Porsche's, Lotus Cortina's, Alfa's etc) ran with the Over 2 litre cars up until and including the 1969 season, the ATA was created as a tribute to the O2 class.

[Steve Holmes]

MOTOR sport enthusiasts will be treated to thrilling, high speed action when the Tenkate Plant Hire Australian Trans Am Championship roars into action for round four of their series at the Queensland Racing Drivers Championship (QRDC) meeting at Queensland Raceway (QR) this weekend. Although there will be a limited number of competitors on track compared to preceding rounds, spectators should still expect to see plenty of exciting racing coupled with sideways action, smoke and fire.

Current series leader and president of the Australian Trans Am Association, John English attributed a packed calendar as the reason why some competitors are sitting out this weekend. ‘There will be limited numbers at QR this weekend as we have had 3 race meetings in 6 weeks with many cars suffering mechanical and panel damage. Therefore a number of guys have had to park their cars until the next race meeting.’ said English.

Australian Trans Am driver and engine builder, Ian ‘Woody’ Woodward commented that although some drivers will be missing, this round will see some drivers returning to the fold. ‘The 3rd race meet in 6 weeks with a quality field to entertain this weekend at QR. This meeting will see the debut of John Samios’ Ford Mustang which will be another strong runner in the Australian Trans Am series. Martin O’Kane is back with his Chevrolet Camaro along with Terry Carter in the AMC Javelin. In all there are 5 Mustangs, 3 Camaros, a Javelin and a Firebird taking part this weekend. This is still quite a healthy field after all the racing of late,’ said Woodward.

Australian Trans Am regular John Lord is letting his son, Tobias take the wheel this weekend in the ‘Channel Nine’ Camaro. Lord is confident that Tobias can match his performance from his previous outing. ‘The Channel 9 tribute Chevrolet Camaro is back at QR this weekend with Tobias behind the wheel. He’ll be pressing the front runners again, having made 5th overall for the whole weekend at the Lakeside outing. He’s also keen to push up in the standings of the Fataz [Sportsman Series] Competition Trophy too, having won the Lakeside round and now running 4th overall. Tobias is doing well despite this being his fourth race meeting ever,’ said Lord.

The Tenkate Plant Hire Australian Trans Am Championship aspires to celebrate the rich history and tradition of the 1960′s – 1970′s style U.S Trans Am Racing Series, while providing motorsport fans with exciting door-to-door racing action. The Australian Trans Am is one of the more exciting motor racing categories in Australia and is a crowd favourite among spectators. For more information on the Tenkate Plant Hire Australian Trans Am Championship, head to their website at http://www.transamracing.com.au/ or the Australian Trans Am Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SELECTFAB for all updates. If you are interested in seeing photographs from the Tenkate Plant Hire Australian Trans Am Championship head to the Dewi Jones Photography Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/DewiJonesPhotography

Written by: Iwan Jones

Wow, busy schedule guys! Still a good field though.

[DewiAusTransAm]

4th round of the Tenkate Plant Hire Australian Trans-Am Championship at QR this weekend, a depleted field of 10 cars.. due to the kiwi's trip over, and being the third race meet in six weeks... great day's racing none the less... Tobias Lord, driving his father's Channel 9 Chevrolet Camaro, in his fourth ever race meeting, got pole and two wins today... not a good day for toploaders, with two cars sidelined due to gearbox problems... photos will be posted below

[Steve Holmes]

Here are Dewi's photos from the Saturday ATA action:

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[DewiAusTransAm]

Great weekend of racing for Round 4 of the 2013 Tenkate Plant Hire Australian Trans-Am Championship at Queensland Raceway.. great racing, with drivers giving racing room to each other, with no major incidents! Also, there was a 100% finishing rate this weekend.. everyone who started the weekend finished it! apart from John English, however he still crossed the finish line in the last race despite gearbox problems.. today's photos will be posted below.. followed by a video later in the week

[Kiwiboss]

Great weekend of racing for Round 4 of the 2013 Tenkate Plant Hire Australian Trans-Am Championship at Queensland Raceway.. great racing, with drivers giving racing room to each other, with no major incidents! Also, there was a 100% finishing rate this weekend.. everyone who started the weekend finished it! apart from John English, however he still crossed the finish line in the last race despite gearbox problems.. today's photos will be posted below.. followed by a video later in the week

Well done Dewi, and thanks for keeping us updated over yonder!!!

Dale M

[DewiAusTransAm]

Photos from today:
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[DewiAusTransAm]

And More:
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[DewiAusTransAm]

And More:
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[DewiAusTransAm]

More photos at 'Dewi Jones Photography' on Facebook.. video coming soon!!

[Steve Holmes]

Photos from today:
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Great work Dewi, these photos are awesome! I like this Mustang, is this new to the series?

[DewiAusTransAm]

Great work Dewi, these photos are awesome! I like this Mustang, is this new to the series?

Yep Steve, John Samios' mustang debuted his stang this weekend, had some toploader problems, but so did many other cars, including john english.. and JE said he needs to get it fixed up by this weekend coming, he is off to the leyburn sprints!!

I think he got down to a 1.23.05 at QR.. but it was his first weekend, still getting used to the car etc.. will be very quick in the future!

[DewiAusTransAm]

Well done Dewi, and thanks for keeping us updated over yonder!!!

Dale M

Thanks Dale.. ready to send off CD's now, just waiting for stickers from woody! sorry to keep you waiting!

[Murray Maunder]

Wow, Dewi is still in final year at school and he's the photography and report guy for ATA. Better make sure he can get over to HD next year for the Ferrari celebration with the Aussie competitors. Let's hope there's still money in people's pockets to do this great reciprocal support deal. Or is it going to be a biannual thing?

[Ellis]

Waiting with bated breath to see if the Trans Am virus spreads down the East Coast of Oz and maybe across to Tassie....can only dream .
Might have to retire the old Humpy and get with the strength...we have a few Mustangs and the odd Camaro running in Tas so maybe should convert /divert them from Grp N to Trans Am spec.
Have a K Code and Boss 302 in shed...might have to go to work on one of them.......