THE popular Valiant Pacer driven by Cameron Tilley in Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters is due to celebrate a major milestone tomorrow.
The Friday afternoon Trophy Race in Newcastle will mark the car’s 200th TCM start, making it just the fourth in category history to reach a double century of races.
Already in the exclusive club is Whiteline Racing’s 1969 Camaro SS (279 races) and 1970 Camaro RS (220), plus the iconic Mustang ‘Sally’ (233).
The Pacer debuted in 2008 in the hands of Tilley.
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He continued driving it until 2011 before spending a stint in a Ford Mustang TransAm.
The Pacer was wheeled back out for two rounds in 2014 and returned to full-time competition the following season, Tilley taking the car to its maiden top-three race result at the 2015 Adelaide 500.
Upgrades including the installation of a 358ci Chrysler V8 engine preceded a Trophy Race win at Bathurst in 2021 and a long-awaited maiden championship race (and non-reverse grid) win last year at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Repaired after a brutal collision in Townsville, the Pacer took part in the recent 2023 season-opener at Symmons Plains and will be part of a 15-car field in Newcastle.
Steven Johnson leads the standings, 20 points clear of Ryan Hansford.
