Craig Lowndes recently took to the track at Queensland Raceway for a test session in preparation for the upcoming TA2 Tag Team Enduro.
Testing Experience
[IMAGE0CONTEXT:bmw_unknown] The renowned driver, Lowndes, will team up with series regular Jarrod Hughes during the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series event at the Ipswich venue from August 15-17. This opportunity, orchestrated by GM, marks a rare appearance for the 51-year-old racing legend outside of the Supercars endurance events and the annual Bathurst 12 Hour race for GT3 cars.
Lowndes described his initial TA2 test at Queensland Raceway as “really enjoyable,” noting it felt like a nostalgic return to the vehicles that launched his touring car career. “The car moves around,” he remarked to Speedcafe regarding the TA2 series machine, which this year utilizes a Goodyear tyre instead of the Hoosier tyre used in Trans Am events.
Learning the New Dynamics
Lowndes expressed that a significant aspect of the experience is understanding the new tyre dynamics. “I think the good thing about it is the Goodyear tyre; everyone’s still learning about it. We’re doing a lot of things just trying to understand it, where’s the window, where it works best,” he explained. He also emphasized the importance of learning the braking capabilities of the car.
“I’ve got to say that the braking is probably better than what I was told. I felt like after three laps, the pedal would be at the floor, but it’s not,” he added. He likened the experience to racing in the 90s, noting the significant movement of the tyre’s sidewall and how the car settles into a rhythm. “Once it does take a set, you can drive it off the corner. And that’s where I think, for me, it’s more the old school days of Supercars,” he stated.
Technical Specifications
The TA2/Trans Am vehicles are built with a control tube space-frame chassis, powered by a 6.2-litre GM V8 crate engine that produces around 525bhp, and they feature a four-speed H-pattern gearbox, weighing in at 1250kg. A notable technical aspect of the category is the use of 15-inch wheels fitted with cross-ply construction tyres, deviating from the radials that have dominated touring car racing for decades.
Competitive Spirit
Looking ahead to the Tag Team Enduro, Lowndes anticipates an enjoyable yet competitive weekend as he supports Hughes’ title aspirations. “People always ask me, do you miss the driving?” he reflected. “Yeah, you always miss the driving sense, and to get an opportunity to do it with TA2, it’s still in a competitive role, but obviously the tension is not as high as, say, Supercars.”
He added, “But at the end of the day, you still want to win races, you still want to be competitive, so that doesn’t change. I think that through this program, you can still get that buzz and that fun, and then you get to drive with some young guys that hopefully have got a great opportunity to go forward.”
Lowndes will utilize the TA2 event as a warm-up for his Supercars Endurance Cup responsibilities alongside Zach Bates in Triple Eight’s Supercheap Auto-backed wildcard.