Man of Steel reflects on TA2 title

In 2024 a new TA2 Muscle Car Series winner was crowned, Josh Haynes. The Ford Mustang driver won three of the six rounds and a staggering 14 races along the way.

Incredibly, he recorded only one DNF and finished all other races inside the top three places, it was this sublime consistency that was unmatched.

Haynes narrowly missed out on the 2023 title, but on reflection Haynes explained the disappointment felt last year made the 2024 success even sweeter.

“We've had a couple of tough moments in the past few years, an injury with me and couple of mechanicals that you can't control. But it definitely makes a year like this year so much more special,” Haynes said.

“It’s very special, after working three years towards this, it's been a very long build up to be able to win a championship, especially a national one.

“Not only for me, but my whole family, my sponsors and everyone that supports me, it's a big reward for us all, and I’m just so proud.

“This year we came in wanting to win as much as we could, but at the end of the day, it just comes down to finishing every race, staying out of trouble, and making sure you're there for the final round, which we were.”

Previously the man from the Australian Capital Territory had competed in the series as a privateer, however this year raced for Waltec Motorsport sponsored by Herzog Steel.

It was a partnership that yielded results immediately, with race wins and a round victory at Sydney Motorsport Park.

“The team at Waltec has done an amazing job, they are such a professional team” he stated. “From the moment we stepped foot into the garage there were no regrets.

“Dad's a concreter and I'm a plumber, previously to come home from work and then have to get back on the tools and work on the race car, it was pretty full on.

“To be able to have the opportunity to be in such a professional team, to turn up to the track and know the car was ready to rumble, it was pretty exciting.”

The opening round of the season at Sydney Motorsport Park saw Haynes get the better of 2024 Bathurst 1000 winner Todd Hazelwood, something he looks gleefully at.

“I'd say my biggest highlight would be beating Hazelwood at Round 1,” Haynes explained. “We started the weekend with pole, a couple hundredths over him, which was really exciting.

“Now that he's won Bathurst and won the Trans Am Series, that puts in the perspective that we had the pace, we knew we had a quick car, and we had a good start with the team. I think that started off a year in the right way.”

Throughout the season his main challenger was South Australian Brad Gartner in a Chevrolet Camaro.

Gartner took two rounds wins and seven race victories, and while they are good mates off the track, the rivalry on track was fierce all year long.

“Brad and I have always had very clean and hard racing, which is why, sometimes, yes, we have had some pretty heated moments, but look, that's motorsport, that's what people love to watch, and I've enjoyed every second of it,” he reflected.

“What makes it special is that no matter how hard we battle, we put it behind us, we can move on and continue to be good mates.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Brad, he pushed us this year, and I'm sure we pushed him, and that's, again, what made it such an awesome year.”

Heading into the final round at One Raceway, Haynes in the Herzog Steel Mustang held a comfortable buffer in the championship. But did he drive conservative and collect the points? No, he clean swept the round.

Not only that, but with the venue located only an hour from Canberra, he was able to celebrate with all of his friends and family in attendance.

“In the first two races I really just wanted to be safe, but being my home round, I really wanted to put on a show for everyone,” he chuckled.

“We got to those past those races and then I was able to enjoy it, which was which was cool.

“To set a race lap record on the second last lap of the last race of the weekend, was also really exciting. None of us could believe that, even I couldn’t, like that doesn't happen, the car was just fast!

“Having all my supporters, family and friends there puts into perspective for a lot of other people how hard everyone at the track works for things like this.

“To be able to show everyone what we've worked so hard for over the past few years, and actually bring home the trophy was special.

“It's sunk in, but it still never gets old that feeling, I’m really, really happy.”