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September 15, 2019 | General

TRANS TASMAN TCM CHALLENGE TO MAKE BATHURST RETURN

A SECOND Paynter Dixon Touring Car Masters Trans-Tasman epic is in store for the 2019 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 event this October.

An early entry list featuring 52 cars has been confirmed for the sixth round of the series that will culminate in an Australia-versus-New Zealand feature race on Sunday morning prior to the Great Race.

16 entries from across the Tasman to run under the banner of ‘Touring Car Masters New Zealand’ will join series regulars at Mount Panorama this year.

It will mark the second time the Kiwi contingent will have joined forces with their Australian cousins on the Mountain having first made an appearance in 2016.

That weekend the top New Zealand-fielded cars raced within the top-10 of the Aussie field with Dean Perkins finishing a stout fourth outright in the Sunday Trans-Tasman finale.

While Perkins is not scheduled to return several who competed in 2016 will compete once again this year alongside several fresh faces making their Bathurst TCM debut.  

This year’s kiwi brigade is headed by champion New Zealand racer Angus Fogg who has a pair of Bathurst 1000 starts to his credit amidst an extensive racing CV that includes winning the 2011-12 NZ V8 Championship.

Fogg’s 1970 Ford Mustang is one of the fastest of its type in New Zealand and should pose a strong challenge to the Australian brigade on the Mountain.

Former Bathurst 1000 privateer Bruce Anderson will return with his Pinepac Mustang while NZ V8 front runner Nick Ross will field a 1971 Dodge Challenger.

The New Zealand contingent includes 16 cars including several Holden models – Commodore Monaro and Torana included – a Chevrolet Monza Valliant Charger and Ford Falcons and Mustangs.

The early entry list features a 36-strong Paynter Dixon Touring Car Masters grid that includes double champion Gavin Bullas targeting a return in his 1970 Ford Mustang.

A second entry from the Hillier Motorsport / THD team will see Leo Tobin debut a 1967 Mustang Coupe alongside his existing car now raced successfully by Aaron Seton.

The ever-popular Bathurst veteran Brett Youlden and one of TCM’s most experienced drivers Wayne Mercer are also entered in their Monaro and Falcon GTHOs respectively.

The event doubles as the penultimate round of the 2019 TCM title battle which is proving to be one of the most competitive on record.

Just 67 points split leader Steven Johnson John Bowe and Ryal Harris at the pointy-end of the standings with six championship races remaining.

A final entry list will be revealed closer to the October 10-13 event as will the unique race schedule that will culminate in the second Trans-Tasman challenge race on Sunday morning prior to the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 event.

ENTRY LIST – BATHURST (PRELIMINARY)

No Sponsor Name Ch Name Surname State Year Make Model
2 MotorsportSales.com Karl Begg QLD 1974 Holden  Torana A9X
3 Western General Body Works Danny Buzadzic VIC 1978 Holden  Torana A9X Hatchback
4 Skye Sands Rusty French VIC 1970 Ford Mustang Fastback
5 ACDelco / Auto Action Magazine Bruce Williams VIC 1974 Holden  Torana SL/R 5000
6 Multispares Racing Ryan Hansford QLD 1974 Holden  Torana A9X
7 MOCOMM Motorsport Communications Jim Pollicina NSW 1974 Holden  Torana A9X
8 Bendigo Retro Muscle Cars Gary O’Brien VIC 1972 Holden  Monaro GTS
9 Jesus Racing Andrew Fisher NSW 1971 Ford Falcon XY GT HO
10 Belair Homes Bruce Oaklands NSW 1980 Holden  Commodore VB
11 J.A. Russell Ltd / Thorn Angus Fogg NZ 1970 Ford Mustang Fastback
12 The Lighthouse Hotel – Burnett Heads Peter Burnitt QLD 1974 Holden  Torana A9X
13 Dr. John Elliot Dr. John Elliot NZ 1974 Holden  Torana SL/R 5000
14 Paul Smith Earthmoving Bruce Tinnelly NZ 1970 Holden  Monaro HT GTS
15 Washdepot Racing Hugh Gardiner NZ 1970 Chevrolet Camaro
16 Rain City Industries Gavin Bullas VIC 1970 Ford Mustang Fastback
17 WM Waste / Kubota Steve Johnson QLD 1969 Ford Mustang Fastback
18 PAYNTER DIXON John Bowe VIC 1974 Holden  Torana SL/R 5000
20 Family Law Coach Guy Gibbons QLD 1973 Holden  Monaro GTS
24 Wellpro Racing Robert Hackwood QLD 1972 Pontiac Trans Am
25 Vawdrey Trailers Paul Freestone VIC 1968 Chevrolet Camaro
30 Hillier Brothers / THD Motorsport Aaron Seton QLD 1969 Ford Boss Mustang
33 Juice Plus Cameron  Mason NSW 1969 Ford Mustang Trans Am
35 iseek Racing Jason Gomersall QLD 1978 Holden  Torana A9X Hatchback
43 Fluidex Transport / Engine Dynamics Anthony Gailbraith NZ 1972 Valiant Charger
46 Hillier Brothers/THD Motorsport Leo Tobin VIC 1967 Ford Ford Mustang
50 13CABS Allan Hughes QLD 1974 Holden  Torana SL/R 5000
52 Timaru Metal Recyclers John Hepburn NZ 1972 Holden  Monaro
55 AV8 Motorsport Tony Anderson NZ 1975 Chevrolet Monza 2 + 2
56 Power Torque Finance Brett Youlden VIC 1972 Holden  Monaro GTS Coupe
58 EFS 4X4 Accessories Ryal Harris QLD 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS
60 ANGLOMOIL Lubricants/MD Steel Fabrications Cameron Tilley NSW 1969 Valiant Pacer
67 Bilstein/JMG Racing Jeremy Gray NSW 1972 Ford Capri Perana
71 Centec Security Industries Markus Zukanovic VIC 1980 Ford  Falcon XD
72 GFR Industries Geoff Fane QLD 1972 Chevrolet Camaro SS
74 Lyndways Builders Wayne Mercer VIC 1971 Ford Falcon XY GT HO
75 Ranger Lifting-Rigging-Safety Aaron  McGill NSW 1971 Ford Falcon XW GT
77 Red Rock Winery / Skunk Werks Rohan Little VIC 1974 Porsche 911 IROC
85 Whiteline Racing / Gawler Self Storage Bernie Stack SA 1970 Chevrolet Camaro RS
88 TIFS – Warehousing & Distribution Tony Karanfilovski NSW 1969 Ford Mustang Trans Am
90 Kalus Kenny Intelex. Lawyers-Advisors Sven Burchartz VIC 1974 Porsche 911 IROC
95 Whiteline Racing / VDC Adam Bressington NSW 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS
97 Century Batteries Allen Boughen QLD 1963 Mercury Comet
98 Ross Brothers Racing Nick Ross NZ 1971 Dodge Challenger
99 Clifford Constructions / BP Botany Ben Dunn NSW 1975 Chevrolet Monza 2 + 2
117 Chillex/Hermanses Contractting Greg Cuttance NZ 1983 Ford Falcon XE
135 Grant Dalton Grant Dalton NZ 1970 Chevrolet Camaro
146 Greg Donaldson Racing Greg Donaldson NZ 1982 Holden  Commodore
151 Pak-n-Save/Cooke Howilson/Busy Bees Michael Wallace NZ 1976 Chevrolet Monza 2 + 2
165 GDM Retail Systems Michael Eden NZ 1971 Ford Falcon XY
169 Pinepac Group Bruce Anderson NZ 1969 Ford Mustang Fastback
171 Pinepac Group Andrew Anderson NZ 1982 Ford Falcon XE
888 MWN Civil Janine Douglas NZ 1983 Holden  Commodore VH