Herne gutted after Road Atlanta slip 

Nathan Herne’s push for a debut American Trans Am TA2 win will have to wait until Lime Rock in late May after retiring at Road Atlanta.

The Aussie gun had to retire with front damage after being in a strong position and infront early in the third round TA2 clash.

Having topped practice before qualifying in P3, Herne’s obvious pace in the Stevens-Miller Racing #29 Cube3 Mustang was always going to have him challenging in the 34 lap race in Georgia.

That pace was evident early when he took the lead on lap 1, jumping out to a decent gap early.

On a wet track and a comfortable lead, the Lismore bullet then hit some watery trouble at the Bennett/BridgeHaul esses, dropping back in P4 after three laps, taking on damage to the front of the Mustang.

Already proving popular with the commentators for his entertaining style of attacking driving, when Herne had gone off-track the caller said…”Well, he’s entertaing, and that’s for Sure!”

In the end it was another youngster in 16-year-old American Connor Zilisch who took his maiden victory over 2022 champion Thomas Merrill and former IndyCar driver Rafa Matos.

After a P2 at NOLA and having the early lead at Road Atlanta, the evidently fast Aussie will have to wait till Lime Rock in May to fight for his debut win

Herne was hard on himself for the slip up when a win beckoned, explaining the damage that he took on through the Road Atlanta esses.

“Gutted for the team. We finally had everything lined up well, and I let them down. It’s a mistake I hopefully won’t make again,” Herne said on his socials.

“I wasn’t trying to push, I knew I was fast and I knew I had no pressure. It was simply just a fact of hitting the water at the wrong angle and a chain of bad events. 

“I went off the track and the front end and dug up some mud that pushed the grille into the radiator. That normally doesn’t happen without tearing the splitter off so I thought I actually got away with it. 

“It’s one of those things, not much I can do about it now, just have to move on. 7 weeks now for a reset at Lime Rock. 

Herne’s style of racing has proved popular with the race callers so far in the 2023 TA2 America season.

Herne also gave his well wished to Scott Borchetta, who was taken to and remains in hospital in a stable condition following a lap 23 crash in his #48 Mustang. 

“I also want to send my wishes to Scott Borchetta after a nasty crash. I hope you’re okay mate!”

It’s a seven week break until the next TA2 outing, where Herne will take to the scenic Lime Rock Park for the first time on May 26-29.

To watch a replay of the race, go to the GoTransAm YouTube channel, or to see more information about Nathan efforts and experiences in American, visit his website that details each and every race in his own words.