Adelaide to host classic Ford vs Holden TCM title battle

South Australia will see a classic Ford vs Holden battle unfold as Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters heads for a series showdown this weekend.

Three-time Touring Car Masters champion, Steven Johnson will look to claim his fourth title aboard his 1969 Ford Mustang Trans Am, with his closest rival Ryan Hansford looking to secure back-to-back titles behind the wheel of the sleek Holden Torana A9X.

Only 75 points separate the duo ahead of the final round of the season, with Johnson in the box seat having taken multiple round wins thus far in 2023.

A bumper field of 27 competitors will take to the track this weekend for three competitive races, plus the traditional Trophy Race that will see an inverted starting grid.

There will be six Touring Car Masters New Zealand entries making the journey after a round at Supercheap Auto Bathurst International earlier this month, with plenty of Aussie star-power making up the rest of the field.

Marcus Zukanovic will return after taking out round honours at the world-famous Mount Panorama and finds himself in an almighty battle for third outright, with only 25 points between himself, Cameron Tilley, Andrew Fisher and John Bowe.

The round will mark a special occasion for Bowe, being the final round of his ‘ciao for now’ tour as he looks to cap off a glamourous TCM career.

The usual suspects will be greeted by sporadic, but familiar faces when Joel Heinrich and Geoff Fane join the field for the season finale, with the former having previously competed at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park round earlier this year.

The duo will each pilot a Whiteline Racing-backed Chevrolet Camaro and will look to continue their successful track record in their home state.

The popular category will see plenty of track time across the weekend, kicking off with practice bright and early on Thursday morning before jumping into qualifying just a couple of hours later.

The always-entertaining Trophy Race will be held on the Friday morning before competitors get their first taste of competitive action in the afternoon.

The final two races will then split across Saturday and Sunday, where the 2023 champion will be crowned.

The Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters Series will hold its final round as part of the VAILO Adelaide 500 event on 23-26 November.

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