![The Collins Mustang collects the wall on the front straight](https://speedcafe.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/collins-1-344x229.png)
Australian Trans-Am Series driver Mike Collins has walked away from a spectacular crash on the opening day of practice at Sydney Motorsport Park’s Muscle Car Masters.
Collins was pitched into the right-side concrete wall when his Ford Mustang suffered a gearbox failure at the end of the front straight during the first session of the weekend.
The 67-year-old Queenslander managed to walk away from the wreck before being cleared of any injury at the infield medical centre.
This weekend marks the fifth round of the Australian Trans-Am Series, which has attracted 21 entries for its second year at the annual MCM meeting.
![The new John English Firebird](https://speedcafe.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/english-firebird-344x228.png)
The line-up is headed by series leader Charlie O’Brien (1970 Pontiac Firebird), John English (who is debuting a 1970 Pontiac Firebird of his own) and Craig Harris (Ford Mustang).
A new addition to the field in Sydney is Royston Evans, who is debuting a 1966 Pontiac GTO once raced in NASCAR.
The GTO was originally built by Bobby Allison, who ran it on the Grand National circuit for three years.
Further bolstering the field is Porsche Carrera Cup regular Shane Smollen, who has taken over English’s previous mount, a 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28.
![collins-4](https://speedcafe.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/collins-4-e1441341314676.png)
![collins-1](https://speedcafe.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/collins-11-e1441341545746.png)
![collins-2](https://speedcafe.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/collins-2-e1441341211616.png)
![collins-3](https://speedcafe.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/collins-3-e1441341288541.png)