The spectacular Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst played host to Round 5 of the 2025 Australian Touring Car Masters (TCM) series, and the Multispares Racing team, led by Ryan Hansford, delivered a roller-coaster of a weekend. The debut of their long- awaited, new engine, built over 12 months due to lengthy 9-12 month lead times on critical USA-sourced parts like pistons, heads, and cranks, added an extra layer of anticipation!
New Engine Shines Despite Early Drama
The excitement of debuting the new power plant was quickly tempered during Thursday morning practice. Ryan managed just 3 laps before the Multispares Torana was sidelined by a gearbox issue, allowing it to select reverse without the usual required lifting of the gear lever. Crucially, though, Ryan reported that the Torana felt “fabulous”—a huge relief following the damage sustained at Tailem Bend. The team swiftly swapped in a brand new spare gearbox and turned their attention to the looming qualifying session.
The Slick Tyre Gamble Pays Off for Pole Position!
With a still-damp track greeting the teams for qualifying, everyone started on grooved wet-weather tyres. However, just 10 minutes into the 20 minute session, a dry line began to appear. Ryan called for a gamble: slicks for the final 5 minutes! Two sharp crew members quickly prepped the tyres, and the pit crew executed a brilliant, rapid change.
Ryan had one lap to warm the slicks and two flying laps to make it count. At least 5 other cars made the same risky call, setting the stage for a tense finale. Showing phenomenal skill and bravery, Ryan Hansford secured pole position at Mt Panorama for the second time in his career! His blistering final lap was a staggering 1.2 seconds faster than second-placed Andrew Fisher—a truly amazing feat!
Ups and Downs in Racing Trophy Race (Reverse Grid)
Starting from the back, the reverse grid “Trophy Race” immediately brought drama. While attempting a pass on Andrew Fisher on the still-damp track, Ryan and Fisher made contact. The Multispares Torana was sent spinning off the track and into the concrete wall at Murray’s Corner. A disappointing end to a promising start.
Race 1: Controlled Victory
Starting from pole, Ryan held the lead into Turn 1 and maintained his advantage up Mountain Straight, though several of the powerful 6-litre engined cars were close behind.
Ryan gapped the field across the top, but the race was neutralised by a Safety Car due to a crash further down the field. After numerous laps circulating, the race was red-flagged, but with the Safety Car laps counted, Ryan was awarded the win!
Race 2: Battle with the Kiwis
Ryan once again nailed the start and opened up a gap across the top of the mountain, leading for 6 of the 7 laps. The NZ contingent’s relaxed rules, which allow some cars
like Angus Fogg’s Mustang to run with significantly bigger engines, better brakes, and better tyres, meant a relentless pursuit. Fogg, after starting at the back, was lapping an incredible 2 seconds faster than any other car and eventually caught and passed Ryan. However, Fogg then appeared to slow down (presumably for television coverage), which bunched the field and allowed three other Australian TCM cars to pass Ryan. Ryan was left frustrated, finishing 4th, disappointed not to have maintained his pace after the pass.
Race 4: Tricky Finish
Starting from the middle of the pack proved challenging. Without the ability to gap the more powerful straight-line cars on the first lap, Ryan found himself in traffic. A small error—his foot slipping off a “long brake pedal” caused by overheating due to sticking behind other cars—saw him finish 7th.
Looking Ahead
Despite the up-and-down nature of the weekend, the new engine showed tremendous promise, and the entire TCM field delivered a truly fabulous spectacle that had the crowd on its feet! The final round of the 2025 Australian Touring Car Masters series will be held at Sandown Raceway on November 14, 15, & 16. Be sure to tune in and support the team, with all the action once again shown live on Foxsports and Kayo!
2025 Confirmed Rounds
- Thrifty Sydney 500
21–23 Feb Sydney Motorsport Park, Australia - Tasmania Super 440
9–11 May Buckby Motors Symmons Plains Raceway, Australia - Betr Darwin Triple Crown
20–22 Jun Hidden Valley Raceway, Australia - Race Winton
22–24 Aug Winton Motor Raceway, Australia - The Bend 500
12–14 Sep Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, Australia - Repco Bathurst 1000
9–12 Oct Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit Bathurst, Australia - Penrite Oil Sandown 500
- 14–16 Nov Sandown Raceway, Australia
