Brock Paine takes the opening win for D class in the Australian Production Car Series (APC) at Bathurst. Despite the 2024 TFH Hire Formula RX8 being run and done with Paine claiming the title at One Raceway a couple weeks ago, the series has joined the APC as part of an exhibition round for the Formula RX8 series. The D class consists of RX8s and Toyota 86s.
A total of 14 Formula RX8s made an appearance including the likes of Brock Paine, Justin Lewis and Thomas Derwent.
Brock Paine was able to continue his RX8 success by taking the D class win and ending up an impressive 14th overall. Young gun Thomas Derwent, who had been impressive during the season, finished second ahead of Justin Lewis in third.
In terms of the battle for the overall win, it was a battle between Campbell and Sherrin in the BMWs. After a small Safety car interruption due to a Toyota 86 being parked along condrod straight, Campbell was quickly able to take the lead from Sherrin to take the win.
Riding the momentum of a career built on championships and elite performances across multiple disciplines, Steven Devjak is set to take another major step forward with his upcoming Mustang Cup Australia test day.
Mustang Cup Australia Director Liam Curkpatrickhas confirmed Devjak as part of the driver line-up for the inaugural Mustang Cup Australia test day on December 19 at Sydney Motorsport Park, marking an exciting first look at what promises to be one of Australia’s most anticipated new racing categories. With the Mustang Dark Horse R primed and ready, Devjak will be among the drivers delivering an early taste of the speed, aggression and spectacle the Mustang Cup will unleash in 2026.
Devjak arrives as a genuine front-running prospect from the opening round, bringing with him a rare blend of raw speed, adaptability and championship-winning experience across multiple forms of motorsport. His career trajectory reflects a driver who not only rises quickly through the ranks, but consistently delivers results under pressure.
He announced his arrival on the national stage in 2012, earning CAMS Rookie of the Year while simultaneously claiming the NSW State Hillclimb Championship. It was an early indication of both his natural car control and his ability to extract performance from high-powered machinery in demanding, high-risk environments.
Devjak continued to build momentum in circuit racing, securing the 2014 Improved Production Championship, where race craft, consistency and mechanical sympathy are just as critical as outright pace. That same disciplined approach translated seamlessly into endurance racing, highlighted by a Class D victory at the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour — one of Australia’s most unforgiving events, where strategy, teamwork and precision execution define success.
In 2015, Devjak further proved his versatility in the Kumho V8 Touring Cars Championship, finishing 3rd overall against a highly competitive field. His rapid progression and technical feedback did not go unnoticed, earning him the V8 Touring Cars Most Improved Driver Award, recognition reserved for drivers who demonstrate exceptional development and professionalism throughout the season.
Crowning his résumé, Devjak claimed the 2016 Australian Hillclimb Championship, cementing his reputation as one of the country’s most complete drivers. The title underscored his ability to operate at the limit, adapt instantly to varying conditions, and deliver under intense pressure — traits that translate directly to modern one-make racing.
With proven success in sprint racing, endurance formats and outright championship battles, Devjak’s depth of experience positions him as an immediate benchmark within the Mustang Cup Australia field. His background not only signals outright competitiveness, but also the technical understanding and composure required to extract maximum performance from the Mustang Dark Horse R from day one.
Curkpatrick says he’s looking forward to working with Devjak and gaining his feedback on the Mustang Dark Horse R, noting that Steven’s experience across high-powered touring cars and precision-based categories makes him an ideal benchmark driver for the new series.
Already a proven success across America and Europe, the Mustang Cup arrives in Australia ahead of its 2026 debut season. The Sydney test day will feature the latest series developments, technical briefings from Michelin, and exclusive insights from Brendan McGinniskin, Ford Racing’s Australian Motorsport Program Manager, on the formidable Mustang Dark Horse R.
Purpose-built for the Mustang Challenge, the Ford Mustang Dark Horse R is a track-focused weapon: a 5.0L Coyote V8 producing over 500 horsepower, DSSV dampers, Brembo racing brakes, Sparco race controls and Michelin slicks a no-compromise machine engineered for the next evolution of one-make Mustang racing.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to get behind the wheel of a factory-built Mustang like this,” Devjak said. “I’m really looking forward to understanding the car, working through the data and seeing how it performs in a proper race environment.”
With a career defined by adaptability, consistency and outright speed, Devjak’s inclusion further strengthens the Mustang Cup Australia grid as it builds toward its highly anticipated 2026 launch.
Ford’s Mustang Cup Director Liam Curkpatrick also confirmed a major incentive for competitors, announcing that Triple Eight Race Engineering, Ford Racing’s Supercars homologation partner, will award a Supercar test drive to the winner of the 2026 Mustang Cup Australia Series a prize that firmly positions the category as a serious pathway within Australian motorsport.
We can’t wait to share Devjak’s result and first impressions of the Mustang Cup Car.
Riding the momentum of a standout season, recently crowned 2025 Rotary Masters Champion Ross Forbes has been handed another major career milestone.
Mustang Cup Australia Director Liam Curkpatrick has confirmed Ross Forbes as part of the driver line-up for the inaugural Mustang Cup Australia test day on December 19 at Sydney Motorsport Park; setting the scene for a full-throttle, tyre-shredding preview of one of the nation’s most anticipated new racing categories. With engines primed and the Mustang Dark Horse “R” ready to roar, Forbes is set to deliver an early taste of the speed, style, and pure adrenaline the Mustang Cup is gearing up to unleash in 2026.
Curkpatrick says he’s looking forward to meeting Ross and hearing his feedback on the Mustang
Already a proven success across America and Europe, the Mustang Cup arrives in Australia ahead of its 2026 debut season. The Sydney test will showcase the latest series developments, technical briefings from Michelin, and exclusive insights from Brendan McGinniskin, Ford Racing’s Australian Motorsport Program Manager, on the formidable Mustang Dark Horse R.
Purpose-built for the Mustang Challenge, the Ford Mustang Dark Horse R is a track-focused brute: a 5.0L Coyote V8 producing 500+ hp, DSSV dampers, Brembo racing brakes, Sparco controls and Michelin slicks; a no-compromise machine engineered for the next evolution of Mustang racing.
“It’s an amazing privilege to drive these factory-built thoroughbred Mustangs on the race track. I can’t wait to start collecting data and get a proper feel for the car.” Explained Forbes
Ross Forbes has had a memorable 2025 season, not only did he celebrate 500 races at Sandown in August, he also crowned the Rotary Masters Champion in the Formula RX8 Series after finishing 1st in class as well as an impressive 4th overall.
Before he tests the brand new machine however, on the 18th Forbes will be getting the opportunity to cut some early laps under the lights at SMP with Michael Starr’s Vodafone Subaru which is set to be an intense pre-season shakedown that adds even more momentum to his charge toward a huge 2026 endurance program. Throughout 2025, Starr has competed in the Motor Events Racing series with his Subaru under the name Slipstream Racing.
Ford’s Mustang Cup Director Liam Curkpatrick says in a major coup for the new category, Ford Racing’s Supercars homologation outfit Triple Eight Race Engineering will offer a coveted test drive in their Supercar for the winner of the 2026 Mustang Cup Australia series, a prize that firmly cements the series as a serious new force in Australian motorsport.
Ross Forbes has capped off a standout 2025 campaign by clinching the Rotary Masters Championship in the Formula RX8 Series and finishing an impressive 4th overall in the national standings.
The final round at Phillip Island saw the Odin Motorsport Australia not only finish inside the top 10 in one of the four races, but also delivered one of his fastest performances ever at the famous circuit. It was a fitting conclusion to a season built on consistency, precision, and determination.
Across the year, Forbes recorded seven top-10 finishes, highlighted by a Pro-Am class win at Sandown and a runner-up result at Queensland Raceway. Driving the Gloria Jean’s–backed RX-8, prepared by McLaine Motorsport, Forbes combined his trademark racecraft with unwavering reliability to stay in contention all season long.
“This season in Formula RX8 has been incredible,” said Forbes.
“Winning the Rotary Masters Championship and coming home 4th outright in such a competitive National field is the perfect way to cap it off.”
The 2025 season also marked Forbes’ 500th career race milestone at Sandown, a testament to his longevity and passion for the sport. With another title now added to his impressive motorsport résumé, Ross Forbes continues to prove why he remains one of Australian motorsport’s most respected and enduring privateers.