HERNE OFF TO AMERICA FOR ‘DREAM” GLOBAL TRANS AM DEBUT

Having dominated the Turtle Wax Trans Am Series in Australia, Nathan Herne will be off to America to make his international debut next month.

The two-time reigning Turtle Wax Trans Am Series winner will be flying the Australian flag when he contests the final round of the National Trans Am Championship at Circuit of The Americas in Texas.

Herne will make a cameo as part of the Stevens-Miller Racing squad where he will Evan Slater, Tyler Kicera and Rhett Barkau in driving a Ford Mustang as part of the factory Howe Racing Enterprises squad at COTA.

It will be the first foray overseas for the young driver from Lismore, who labelled the trip to race in the US as a dream come true after his previous attempts were aborted.

“I’m more than keen for it,” said Herne.

“To go over to the US is something I’ve always dreamed about since I was about 12-years-old, but I quickly wrote that off as soon as I found out how much it cost to go over there. 

“To finally get the opportunity to go over there, I’m keen as mustard and hopefully it’s not the last chance to go.

“After 2019, we were even trying to get over there and test the waters. Back then it was a different proposition because I was unproven and a young bloke who just wanted to get over there to race as a bucket list item, but now it’s turned into something different.

“It’s great that COVID is somewhat behind us as I can go over there to do this and fingers crossed it all goes well. We’ll see what happens.”

Nathan Herne will head to America in hot form having won the Turtle Wax Trans Am title at Sandown recently. Image: Jack Martin Photography
Captured at 2022 Speed Series – Round 6 – Sandown on 20220918 by Jack Martin Photography.

Australia’s only national Trans Am champion will arrive in America in hot form having won 10 races in 2022 to secure back-to-back titles at Sandown after a tight fight with team-mate Owen Kelly.

It adds to a packed conclusion to 2022 for Herne as he will also contest the S5000 Tasman Series for Garry Rogers Motorsport in addition to racing the Turtle Wax Trans Am 100 at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International.

Despite saying Australia is still his top priority, he said he is going to and maximise this unexpected trip to the best of his ability.

“This year was a weird one. I thought to myself the last few years I’ve had in Australia hopefully something was going to happen, but it went into a quiet phase where I just settled and thought this was going to be the end of my racing until next season,” Herne said.

“All of a sudden this popped up and a few other things are starting to emerge, so it’s pretty cool.

“I’ve just got to take the pressure off and enjoy it because this is just a bucket list item for me, I’m not really expecting anything to come out of this, but never say never and maybe something will.

“For now, I’m still 100 per cent committed to Australia to see what I can do locally, I have S5000 a week before and the Bathurst International after. I’m keen to put my name on the Bathurst 100 trophy.”

Herne is aware of the challenge ahead, with only two sessions allowed to get up to speed to the bigger cars, tougher competition and Formula 1 circuit.

Australia’s Nathan Herne will drive for Stevens-Miller Racing in his international debut at the Circuit of The Americas this year. Image: Chris Clark

“Stevens-Miller Racing is the Howe factory team and in Australia we race the same brand chassis., (but) in America, it’s a bit different with bigger engines, different chassis manufacturers, more aero and a half radial tyre,” he said.

“The American Trans Am cars are much more like a Supercar than the Australian version, so it will be exciting and fingers crossed it all goes well.

“I’ve got two sessions to get my eye in around the track before official practice starts through Trans Am and Stevens-Miller Racing, which have put that together for me. 

“I’m racing at the Circuit of The Americas, which is a big facility with a lot of blind apexes, so it’s going to be hard to learn.”

But Stevens-Miller racing team owner Joe Stevens said Herne has what it takes to compete in America.

“Nathan is a rising talent in many forms of motor racing and undoubtedly a future racing star,” said Stevens.

“The challenges for Nathan at COTA will be many as he joins this series at the season finale.

“This group of TA2 racers in the United States can be, at times, rough. First, he will have to be fast in all 20 turns here at COTA – that in itself is no small measure. Next, he will have to battle to and for the front of this pack. 

“All of these things together amount to a big challenge including having to deal with serious jet lag.

“But we believe Nathan will excel at all the challenges presented to him. If he can bond with the team, our cars, and this track, he will continue to shine as he does in Australia.”

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