Race Tasmania 2022: are you ready for Aussie motorsport’s unbelievable season opener?

There’s a lot going on down in Tassie, with the Apple Isle gearing up to host Race Tasmania, the much anticipated 2022 Australian motorsport season opener. And in true Tassie motorsport style, this year’s looking to be an absolute showstopper.

As well as welcoming back three of Australia’s favourite racing categories, there’s plenty of local talent on display, with support categories showcasing some of the best Tasmanian racing pedigree and some truly incredible cars. It’s an event designed to appeal to any racing enthusiast, no matter their favourite category or racing style.

We can’t wait to get a huge year of motorsport underway. So let’s have a look at what’s in store for this year’s unbelievable season opener—the action packed Race Tasmania 2022.

Race Tasmania 2022 dates

Race Tasmania 2022 has been locked in at Symmons Plains Raceway from February 11-13, making the start dates for Australia’s motorsport season slightly later than previous years. If you’re a Tassie local or keen to extend your trip from the mainland, Race Tasmania is a great preamble to the Supercars Tasmanian SuperSprint which is being held March 26-27 and our incredible Fastrack V8 driving experience event that’s running Feb 26-27.

Race Tasmania 2022 categories

The Apple Isle packs a big punch this year, with Race Tasmania’s 2022 categories bringing something to the table for any motorsport fan. Whether you’re into the theatrics of the TCR Australia Series, love the glamour of open wheel racing or prefer the grunt of American muscle cars in the Turtle Wax Trans Am Series.

Whatever your flavour, Race Tasmania 2022 is your chance to see our very own local talent take on some fiery internationals at a world-class race venue. Ready to get started? Here’s the categories to look out for as you pencil in your calendar for Race Tasmania 2022.

Race Tasmania 2022 main events

• The Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series
• S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship
• Turtle Wax Trans Am National Series

Race Tasmania 2022 support categories

• Hyundai Excels
• Tassie Tin Tops
• HQ Holdens.

Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series

The Supercheap Auto TCR Series is one of the most popular motorsport categories in Australia. Reigning champ Chaz Mostert will be back at Symmons Plains to defend his superstar status, but there’s plenty up in the air for TCR fans, with the next crop of fresh blood starting to make a name for themselves.

Keep your eyes peeled for #18 Aaron Cameron who’s driving for Team Valvoline GRM, #71 Ben Bargwanna for Burson Auto Parts Racing and #30 Josh Buchan for HMO Customer Racing. These guys are hungry and ready to make a big statement coming into the season opener.

Along with the always formidable James Moffat, Michael Caruso and Tony D’Alberto, there’s big hype around young Queensland talent Liam McAdam. At 24 years old, Mc Adams is joining a strong Audi contingent, having secured sponsorship for 2022, and ensuring his place on the competitive TCR Australia grid.

Throw in the upheavals and distractions of COVID-19 and this title is well and truly anyone’s game.

S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship

Open wheel racing in Australia is taking off, and it’s bringing class international acts such as Spaniard Roberto Mehri and Japanese superstar Yoshiaki Katayama to our shores, ready to battle it out with our local guns. If you’re a fan of Formula One, this is the event for you. These cars are the fastest in Australian circuit racing, with the drivers contesting the Australian Drivers’ Championship – the oldest and most prestigious drivers’ title in the nation.

Aussie Aaron Cameron is currently leading the standings as we head into the 2022 opener, with 165 points. A solid 22 point lead over second place standing, Mehri. Fans are excited by the likelihood of these speed machines setting a new outright lap record at Baskerville Raceway at Race Tasmania 2022.

Turtle Wax Trans Am Series

Who doesn’t love some American muscle? Launceston is ready to showcase some exceptional cars and even brighter local talent, including Tasmanian rising star Lochie Dalton who is making his Trans Am debut. Dalton has recently been taken on as a mentee by fellow Tasmanian and multiple Supercars champion and NASCAR Cup race winner Marcos Ambrose. Of his upcoming appearance at Race Tasmania, Dalton says:

“I’m glad I’m debuting at my home track. I’ll have all my family, friends and supporters there because they are all from Tasmania, and it will be my first time racing on the national stage at home so it will be cool.”

Dalton isn’t the only local driver taking on the American muscle series. Owen Kelly and Tim Shaw are both ready to take the crown from reigning series Nathan Herne in what’s gearing up to be a wild ride.

Hyundai Excels

The Hyundai Excels always make for entertaining racing, with this year’s little cars ready to make a big splash at Race Tasmania. This year’s title is being defended by Tasmanian Charlie Parker, who’s ready to give his home state fans something to cheer about. All three local support cards will showcase the best of Tasmania’s state racers in what are expected to be close contests.

HQ Holdens

Classic Aussie car lovers rejoice! The HQ Holdens have been called on as a Race Tasmania support category. As far as support categories go, it’s hard to go past an event that brings the grunt and power of Holden from the golden era of racing to a world class track like Symmons Plains. These HQ Holdens adhere to strict regulations that ensure that maintenance and modifications to the 3.3litre 6 cylinder 3 speed manual engines are kept to a minimum.

Tassie Tin Tops

The popular Tin Tops category will return to Symmons Plains for Race Tasmania 2022, with local entrants from across Tassie showcasing their driving and engineering skills in a variety of cars that span almost all classes of racing. Encompassing cars from Porsches to Super3 to GT, the excitement of the Tin Tops is enjoying the unique experience of seeing how these incredible beasts fare against each other. This will not be an event to miss.

Camping at Symmons Plains

As well as boasting world class facilities, Symmons Plains has powered sites available for on-site camping. There’s also plenty of accommodation in and around Symmons Plains whether you’re after 5-star Launceston luxury, budget hotels or powered and unpowered campsites.

Will Race Tasmania be televised?

If you can’t make it down to Launceston for all the Race Tasmania action, it will be broadcast free-to-air on Channel 7 and 7Mate. You can also stream racing live through the 7Plus App. However, there’s no feeling like getting down trackside to see the action live. With domestic flights cheap and Tassie still holding onto the last warm days of summer, now’s the time to book your Tassie escape and take in some of the best motorsport racing Australia has to offer.

Race Tasmania 2022 tickets

There’s still a chance to score either single day or weekend passes for Race Tasmania at Symmons Plains Raceway. You can book tickets here.

Drive a race car at Symmons Plains

Discover the thrill and exhilaration that your favourite motor racing drivers experience when they take on Symmons Plains for Race Tasmania. For two days only on February 26 & 27, 2022, you can join Fastrack V8 at the track to drive your own purpose-built V8 race car. Hosted by Australian motorsport legend John Bowe, a Tasmanian from Devonport, places for drives and hot laps with “JB” are certain to book out fast, so you’ll have to get in quick.

If you’ve ever dreamed of getting behind the wheel of your own purpose-built V8 Supercar as it drives at top speed around the legendary Symmons Plains Raceway, then book an experience for you or a mate, today.

We can’t wait to see you trackside for some incredible Race Tasmania action!