Double wins for Herne under lights in Sydney

Former TA2 rookie of the year Nathan Herne has made a stunning last-minute comeback to the PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series, dominating the opening two races at Sydney Motorsport Park including the feature night race.

Subbing for the injured Russell Wright, Herne took pole position by over a second, won the opening seven-lap race by 14 seconds and scored a commanding 40-second victory in the 17-lap night race.

Tim Shaw finished second in the opening race from Graham Cheney with a personal-best finish in third.

Starting fourth, debutant Nash Morris got by Zach Loscialpo at Turn 8 on the second lap, as the pair diced for the remainder of the race with Morris holding on for fourth spot.

Cheney got Shaw off the start for second place in Race 2, before Shaw got back in front as the pair rubbed on the opening lap.

Morris and Michael Coulter came to blows at Turn 5 on the second lap, as Coulter spun and hit the inside wall and retired from the race with damage to the front-left corner.

Loscialpo dropped out of the top five and pitted with gear shifter issues, as Morris and Cheney battled for third place. Drama struck again on Lap 10 when contact saw Cheney and Morris collide at Turn 1, with Cheney spinning into the outfield.

Provisionally, Herne won Race 2 from Morris and Shaw.

Anthony Tenkate climbed five spots from ninth to fourth, as Graham Smith rounded out the top five.

The PROMAXX Performance Exhausts TA2 Muscle Car Series returns to action tomorrow for Race 3 at 9:12am and Race 4 at 1:22pm.

QUOTES Nathan Herne, driver - #55 Wright Property Investments Ford Mustang

“It was awesome to race under lights here in Sydney,” said Herne.

“The track was lit up so well, it lit up like a Christmas tree, I had my tinted visor and was worried how I’d go with it but it was so good out there.

“Sydney Motorsport Park and the ARDC have done an awesome job, the lighting looks like you’re in the daylight and it was a real privilege to race under lights tonight.

“A massive thank you to Russell Wright and his crew for the opportunity to drive this weekend, it was such a nice car and I barely broke a sweat in that race.

“It was awesome to be back with TA2 this weekend and a great way to ease myself to the upcoming double-header with S5000 next week at Phillip Island.”