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Slade, Morris and Jett Johnson get Trans Am laps at QR
Touring car aces Tim Slade and Paul Morris and third-generation racer Jett Johnson turned laps in Begg Motorsport’s Mustang Trans Am car at Queensland Raceway yesterday.
The team brought its Mustang to the Ipswich circuit as a shakedown ahead of its appearance in the Aussie Tin Tops powered by motorsportsales.com.au races at the Tailem Bend Supercars event next weekend.
It is expected that other National Trans Am Series entrants will also take the opportunity to compete in their Trans Am machines over the weekend.
It was the first ‘V8 powered’ racing car laps for Johnson, while Slade used the test to get some match fitness ahead of his co-drive role that he will play with current Supercars Championship leader Scott McLaughlin in the DJR Team Penske Mustang.
“It has definitely been beneficial doing some driving before Bathurst, to keep myself fresh and in the zone,” Slade said.
“I enjoyed the TA2 car, I found it very user-friendly and I can see why the category has become so popular. The cars are fast, fun and cost-effective.”
Karl Begg, owner and driver at Begg Motorsport, said the test day was a productive one.
“We didn’t have the TA2 car on track until the afternoon, but we still completed some useful laps in it,” he said.
“The Motorsportsales.com.au Aussie Tin Tops round will be the first time I’ve raced at The Bend. Our focus for the TA2 car was optimising the set up and fine-tuning my driving technique, so when I arrive at The Bend I can concentrate on learning the track.
“It was also great to give the third-generation racer from the Johnson dynasty the chance to drive his first laps in a V8 race car, following in the steps of his father and grandfather, and he did a great job.”