AUSSIE RACING CARS CHAMPION SET FOR TA2 DEBUT IN 2026

MEDIA RELEASE/Kody Garland – Photos: supplied & Velocity Magazine

2025 Aussie Racing Cars Champion Kody Garland has purchased a brand-new Ford Mustang TA2, ahead of a maiden season in the TA2 Muscle Cars Series.

Garland claimed the 2025 ARC title in one of the most dramatic endings the series has ever seen, passing his title rival for the victory in the final corner of the season finale on the streets of Adelaide.

The Taree local took delivery of his brand-new Ford Mustang TA2 on Saturday, shaking it down for the first time at Queensland Raceway the next day. The TA2 formula has exploded in popularity in recent years, with cars also eligible to race in the Trans Am Series.

Garland will shoulder the responsibility of preparing and running his car in a fully privateer effort, which he successfully guided to the Aussie Racing Cars title in 2025. Representatives from TA2 owners HCC Distributions were on hand at delivery and at the track to support Garland as he cut his first laps in the Mustang.

A successful shakedown transformed into a positive test day for Garland who enjoyed extensive time behind the wheel of his new Mustang, which performed faultlessly.

“I want to continue challenging myself, and TA2 is a whole new level of competition in which I can go and do that,” said Garland.

“It’s a bucket list category and something we’ve wanted to do for a while now, it was just a matter of getting the timing right. On first impressions I felt really comfortable and at home in the car, certainly a bit more intuitive to me than a TCR for example. It was great to have some of the guys from HCC there to make sure it all ran smoothly for us.

“Doing it ourselves and having the full privateer operation is a great point of pride for my Dad and I, we’ll need a few more hands on deck to run the TA2 but we’ll certainly be doing it on our own again this year.

“Starting out in TA2, as opposed to Trans Am, allows us to learn the intricacies of running these cars in a slightly lower pressure environment. With that said, the entry list is looking extremely competitive so I’m really looking forward to getting ourselves up the front and some big battles.”

The TA2 Muscle Cars Series kicks off from March 13-15 at The Bend Motorsport Park, as part of the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series.

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