Classic Trans-Am Grid for Lakeside Opener
The return of a few familiar faces and classic American muscle machinery highlights a 12-car grid for the opening round of the Performance Wheels Australian Trans-Am Series, as part of the Lakeside Tribute meeting at the historic Lakeside Park circuit on March 17 and 18.
The Outright Trophy class will feature the return of Brett Curran in his fast Angliss Meats Mustang, John English in his new-look Pontiac Firebird, Russell Wright (Ford Mustang) and Anthony Tenkate (Ford Mustang) in his green machine who showed that he is more than capable to run up the front.
Inaugural Sportsman Series champion Alwyn Bishop (Ford Mustang) returns to the Trans-Am grid, as well as seasoned Trans-Am competitors Martin O’Kane (Chev Camaro), Shane Wilson (Ford Mustang) and crowd-favourite Harry Charalambous (Ford Mustang).
The Five Litre class will be bolstered by the returning Mark Bowtell (Pontiac Firebird), Len Balme (Mercury Cougar) as well as former champion Mike Collins (Ford Mustang) and Tricia Chant (Ford Mustang).
Missing from the grid will be defending outright series champion Shannon O’Brien who is taking some time out from competition, reigning runner-up Ian Palmer, defending Sportsman Series champion Tony Rutherford, Steve Scales’ five-litre Falcon Sprint, reigning five-litre champion Ron Prefontaine and Gareth Jones’ Hertz tribute Ford Mustang.
Series organisers have confirmed an additional four cars returning for the following round at Queensland Raceway, taking the grid to over 15 cars for the remainder of the year.
The Australian Trans-Am cars will hit the tarmac for the first time this year on Friday for private practice, before the competitive program commences on Saturday.