Why you need to watch the 2026 Hi-Tec Oils Super Series
TA2 Muscle Car Series grid
The TA2 Muscle Car Series returns in 2026 bigger and better than ever. There is no doubt that the quality of the grid has risen during the off-season.
In 2026 there are no less than three current Super2 drivers and many national series winners in the field.
After winning races in occasional appearances last year, Alice Buckley returns for the full campaign in 2026. Multiple-time TA2 race winner Ben Gomersall is back, while former FIA Formula 3 Championship driver Tommy Smith makes his debut.
Throw in Aussie Racing Car rivals Kody Garland and Joel Heinrich, along with ex-Formula RX8 Series winner Brock Paine and we have a very tasty season ahead of us.
Formula Ford returns as the national championship
Last year the Formula Ford category under the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series banner was known as the AASA Formula Ford Stars Series, this year it has been given the nod to be the official national championship.
Officially it is now known as the Yokohama Tyre AASA Australian Formula Ford Championship.
With the new status drivers have flocked to the series, with nearly 20 lining up for the opening round at the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park.
Formula RX8 back with the Super Series
The one-make Mazda RX8 series, Formula RX8 is back with the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series after a year away.
There is a great balance on the grid between established veterans and quick youngsters.
This year the Formula RX8 competitors will be competing for the Allan Moffat Cup – a prize that has received the full blessing of the Moffat family.
Moffat was the factory-backed Mazda Dealer Team’s Australian Touring Car Championship driver for many years and had great success which included a championship with the Japanese marque.
New IRC models to break cover
The Aussie built Innovation Race Cars proved popular throughout 2025 and this year will see another step for the series with new models to be launched.
The first model, the IRC Super Development (SD), has been designed to be driven by young up and up-and-coming pro drivers, this debuts on track this weekend.
The SD car has a lot of aids removed including ABS and traction control, drivers are also faced with less aerodynamic downforce.
Another new car, the awesome-looking IRC Model A, will also debut in the coming rounds.
So many races
The Hi-Tec Oils Super Series is all about value for money, at Round 1 there will be no less than 28 races spread across the six categories. It is non-stop action all round long.
In fact, racing kicks off today, with no less than four races on the opening day of the season.
Legend Cars will be the busiest category of all with seven races across the course of the three days.
Back to The Bend
The opening round of the 2026 Hi-Tec Oils Super Series takes place at the Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia this weekend.
The Super Series last visited the venue in 2024, however this time around they will use the popular 3.41km West layout. The shorter circuit is popular as it produces more overtakes and close combat racing.
This weekend’s action will be broadcast on Saturday and Sunday on Kayo and SBS from 1pm-5pm AEDT.
Additionally, the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series YouTube channel will showcase all the on-track action from 10.30am-12.30pm and 5.00pm-6.00pm AEDT on Saturday and 9.35am-12.30pm AEDT on Sunday.
Australian Drivers’ Championship
The Australian Drivers’ Championship returns in 2026, and the question on everyone’s lips is who can stop Damon Sterling?
Although a couple of notable names are missing for the opening round including Hayden Crossland and Dean Crooke, the drop a round format will keep them in contention.
New challengers include Harry Strik, Rocco Spinley and Aaron Imbach.
Enduro themed weekend at Queensland Raceway
If you like endurance racing, Round 2 is the event for you, with many categories running longer-distance races across the weekend.
The Australian IRC Series will be running the second round of its endurance championship in which second drivers are optional.
The Australian Production Car (APC) Endurance Championship, as the name would suggest, will also be competing over a long-distance race on Saturday evening.
Additionally, the TA2 Muscle Cars Series will run its traditional two-driver Tag Team Endurance format that weekend.
Calder to finish the year
The bullring that is Calder Park will conclude the year with a nail-biting finish to the series, many competitors have never raced at the venue.
Calder Park has a lot of character and always produces great door-to-door action, the series finale will be no different.
The unique format of the TA2 Muscle Car Series is still yet to be announced.
Night Racing
Watching cars compete under lights will not be a rarity in the 2026 Hi-Tec Oils Super Series, four of the six events boast night racing.
Both trips to Queensland Raceway, the visit to Sydney Motorsport Park and the series finale at Calder Park will all see cars battle under the floodlights.