Bathurst is set to host a packed opening round of the 2026 Trans Am Cup Series this weekend, with a 27-car field confirmed for Mount Panorama as part of the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour event from April 3 to 5.
The new season opens with no shortage of storylines. Defending champion Todd Hazelwood returns to the category under a fresh banner, launching his own Todd’s Garage team and unveiling a new Four’N Twenty-backed livery as he begins the defence of his crown. Hazelwood heads into the year facing what shapes as one of the strongest Trans Am fields in recent seasons.
Garry Rogers Motorsport will field four entries at Bathurst, with Jack Smith, Tom Davies, Lachlan Evennett and James Moffat all part of its line-up. Marcos Ambrose Motorsport will also be represented, with Elliot Barbour joined by Jordan Freestone, who steps up from Toyota 86 competition for his Trans Am debut.
There is further depth throughout the grid. TA2 Muscle Car Series champion Jarrod Hughes makes the move into the category full-time with Waltec Motorsport, while James Golding returns to the series with Maverick Performance. Nathan Herne Racing will run three cars, featuring Herne alongside Blake Tracey and Formula Ford graduate Harrison Sellars. Matt Stone Racing enters a two-car operation with Pat Neville and Tommy Smith, while V8 SuperUtes racer Cody Brewczynski also joins the Bathurst field.
The on-track schedule begins on Friday with a single 30-minute practice session at 11:00am, followed by qualifying at 3:20pm. Saturday features two races at 1:05pm and 3:55pm, before the weekend concludes with Race 3 on Sunday at 10:00am. Saturday and Sunday’s action will be broadcast live on SBS On Demand, Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.
Speaking ahead of the season opener, Hazelwood said 2026 represented a fresh challenge as he takes on the added responsibility of running his own team alongside his driving duties. He said the new project with Todd’s Garage and Four’N Twenty had come together quickly, but that he was looking forward to the challenge of maintaining the level of performance he and his team had shown in recent seasons.
Freestone, meanwhile, said he was approaching the weekend with realistic expectations as he adjusts to the jump from Toyota 86 racing into Trans Am machinery. He said the focus would be on improving through each session and finishing every race, while also highlighting the value of working alongside Barbour and under the guidance of Marcos Ambrose Motorsport.
ENTRY LIST
#1 Todd Hazelwood, Four’N Twenty Racing, Ford Mustang
#2 Adam Garwood, Giraffe Civil, Ford Mustang
#4 Clay Richards, Essential Caravans, Ford Mustang
#5 Blake Tracey, Auto Openers Garage Door Opener, Ford Mustang
#7 Robbie Farr, Sinopec, Chev Camaro
#8 Lachlan Evennett, CAMM Racing, Chev Camaro
#9 Cam Laws, Castle Railing, Ford Mustang
#10 James Golding, Cooldrive, Ford Mustang
#11 Jack Smith, SCT Logistics, Chev Camaro
#19 Pip Casabane, Casabene Group, Ford Mustang
#22 Cody Brewczynski, Custom Lithium, Ford Mustang
#30 Nathan Herne, BlueGold Industries, Chev Camaro
#32 Ben Gomersall, Unit Racing, Ford Mustang
#33 Brock Paine, Cure4CF Foundation, Chev Camaro
#34 James Moffat, AAT Racing, Chev Camaro
#35 Tyler Cheney, Carlton Zero, Chev Camaro
#42 Tom Davies, Ariat Racing, Chev Camaro
#45 Jordan Freestone Ice Break Racing MAM, Chev Camaro
#60 Harrison Sellars, ACL Race Series, Ford Mustang
#66 Des Collier, TFH Racing, Ford Mustang
#73 Domain Ramsay, C&H Trucking, Chev Camaro
#75 Elliot Barbour, AlphaTheta Racing MAM, Chev Camaro
#89 Pat Neville, Stroud Homes, Chev Camaro
#97 Ben Bargwanna, Hangcha Forklifts, Ford Mustang
#116 Tommy Smith, SCT Logistics, Chev Camaro
#118 Jarod Hughes, IES & Chevrolet Performance, Chev Camaro
#150 Alice Buckley, Chevrolet Racing, Chev Camaro
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
11:00am Practice (30 mins)
3:20pm Qualifying (30 mins)
SATURDAY
1:05pm Race 1
3:55pm Race 2
SUNDAY
10:00am Race 3
