About
Parnelli Jones – 1x Indy 500 Winner, International Motorsport Hall of Fame Inductee
America’s Greatest Road Racing Series
“The Trans-Am [Series] was a no-holds-barred, highly competitive series. We had the best American drivers, we ran on the best North American circuits, and we drove cars that were spectacular to watch and that the fans could easily identify with. The Trans-Am [Series] was the greatest road-racing series that has ever been run over here…”
Dan Gurney – Multiple Race Winner in Formula 1, Indycar, NASCAR, Can-Am and Trans-Am
“The potential of the Trans-Am Series was fabulous, in my opinion. It was the very best kind of road-racing that I can remember. All of the factories were behind us and we had the best drivers in the country competing. We also raced on all the best natural road circuits in North America and unlike today, we had great fans who could really identify with the cars that were on the track. It’s too bad that it all had to go away.”
The original Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans-Am series first began in 1966 and still continues to this day. In its formative years, Trans-Am cars were modified from the factory production cars of the era, as opposed to the purpose built space-frame or carbon fibre bodied race cars that the series now permits. During Trans-Am’s golden era between 1966 and 1972, the series was bolstered by heavy factory involvement, big-name drivers, and cars that were closely related to what could be bought off the showroom floor. Detroit powerhouses Ford and Chevrolet continued their famous showroom rivalry on the race track, as the factory-supported Mustang took on the Camaro with fights put up by the AMC Javelin, Plymouth Cuda, Dodge Challenger and Mercury Cougar.
Trans-Am Heads Down Under
On the other side of the world, Australian Trans-Am was established to celebrate that great period of Trans-Am racing. Australian Trans-Am is open to 2-door, 4-seat, rear wheel drive, V8 powered American production vehicles built from 1963 to 1974.
Like the SCCA Trans-Am Series, all Australian Trans-Am races have a rolling start. Australian Trans-Am is based in South-East Queensland, with annual appearances at the popular Australian Muscle Car Masters at Sydney Motorsport Park. The series also visits New Zealand biannually thanks to a flourishing partnership with New Zealand’s Historic Muscle Cars and the New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing held at Hampton Downs.
About Trans-Am
Harking back to the glory days of Australian and American Touring Car racing, Australian Trans-Am has refined their technical regulations with the aim to improve safety and reliability, decrease build and running costs while providing close competition. The Trans-Am formula struck a chord with fans and competitors alike, as the visual appeal of the cars and the style of racing on display kept fans rushing to the fence.
The Australian Trans-Am Series has grown from strength-to-strength, becoming the most popular state-based racing series in Queensland, with a growing national and international fan base gained from a popular online following.