Reigning Victorian and New South Wales Formula Ford Champion Nathan Herne will join the TA2 Muscle Car Series in 2019.

The Lismore teenager progressed to the Australian Formula Ford Championship as a former karting champion and ran a combined state and national campaign for the 2017 and 2018 seasons with BF Racing. This culminated in his maiden national race and round win at the final round at Sydney Motorsport Park to finish fourth in the national championship, while wrapping up this year’s Victorian and New South Wales state championships along the way.

Herne also recently completed a driver-evaluation day with Brad Jones Racing at Winton Motor Raceway in a Super 2 specification Holden Commodore.

After testing a TA2 car at Queensland Raceway in November, Herne has been confirmed to race a Dodge Challenger for his maiden TA2 campaign.

“There is no hiding behind the fact that I want to one day reach Supercars and I feel that at this point of time the move into TA2 is going to benefit me massively,” said Herne.

“The TA2 category is no doubt going to help expand my tin-top experience around a range of the country’s leading circuits, and the category itself is one that is growing, so I can’t wait to take this next step.”

The son of six-time Australian V8 Dirt Modified Champion Stuart Herne, Nathan looks forward to adding to the family element of the series, which already includes Aaron and Glenn Seton, as well as George and Andrew Miedecke, Hugh and Ian McAlister, Ashley and Paul Jarvis and Michael and George Kulig. 

“Apart from the actual competitive side of TA2, I’m really looking forward to working closely with my dad on these cars and being able to benefit from his years of racing and mechanical experience.”

The series caters for a same-spec V8-powered Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros and Dodge Challengers, comprising of a space-frame chassis and a controlled GM Motorsport engine package delivering 525 horsepower.

Last week the series took order of four more cars, with a further four cars to be delivered in mid-January adding to 32 cars in the country.

From Left to Right: Chas Howe (Owner of Howe Racing Enterprises), Joe Stevens (Stevens-Miller Racing), Russell Wright and Peter Robinson (TA2 Racing Australia)

The Performax TA2 Muscle Car Series has taken the covers off the Ford Mustang that will be raced by 2017 series champion Russell Wright in the penultimate round of the 2018 Trans-Am Series Presented by Pirelli TA2 class at the Circuit of the Americas this weekend.

The Gold Coaster will race the #5 TA2 Ford Mustang prepared by Stevens-Miller Racing as part of an international driver exchange program with TA2 car constructor Howe Racing Enterprises.

A field of 31 TA2 cars will take to the Texan circuit that plays host to the annual Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, including two-time champion Gar Robinson who visited Australian shores for the Bathurst 12 Hour Combined Sedans support event this year and placed second outright with Wright third.

Wright’s opportunity comes as a reciprocal arrangement with the American series, as TA2 Racing Australia management also head to the United States to hold talks with series organisers regarding future international opportunities.

“This is really one for the bucket list, to race in the United States against the best TA2 drivers in the world at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas is a real blast,” Wright said.

Wright dropped from second to finish third in the Performax Cup Standings in the RoadBees Transport Ford Mustang, which was taken out by Chev Camaro driver Ashley Jarvis at the season finale last weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park.

“I haven’t had the best of runs lately, so hopefully all my bad luck is now behind me and we can have a consistent trouble-free weekend.

“TA2 is a professional series over there, and with over 30 cars on the grid it will be a tough weekend to come to grips with the circuit and the series.

“I’m also in a brand new car, so hopefully we will have a competitive run and fly the flag for the Aussies back home and those who are coming to cheer me on.

“I can’t thank Peter Robinson and Chas Howe enough for making this opportunity happen as a result of winning the title last year, what a way to cap off the year.”

The 2018 TA2 championship has already been claimed by Brazilian Rafa Matos in a Chevrolet Camaro.

The Trans-Am Series Presented by Pirelli TA2 class Powered by AEM Infinity at the Circuit of the Americas begins on Thursday with testing, followed by practice and qualifying on Friday, and concludes with one 30 lap/70 minute race on Saturday.

Gold Coaster Ashley Jarvis wrapped up the Performax TA2 Muscle Car Series title with a conservative drive to finish third in the final round at Sydney Motorsport Park, however won up the title comfortably from New South Wales Ford Dealer Hugh McAlister. Reigning champion Russell Wright finished third in the Performax Cup standings in the RoadBees Transport Ford Mustang, and also claimed the Masters Award for the best performing driver over 50, despite failing to finish the final race with engine dramas in the Mustang. Aaron Seton dominated all four races this weekend in the Castrol Harris Racing Mustang, but came under pressure in the final race from Port Macquarie’s George Miedecke, who debuted a new Dodge Challenger. Seton hung on to win from Miedecke and Hugh McAlister with father Ian taking out the round award in the Masters title. Jarvis was extremely proud to claim the inaugural national competition for the TA2 Muscle Car Series in the Lighthouse Electrical Chevrolet Camaro. “I never thought I would be standing here at the start of the season, I can’t believe it and couldn’t have done it without Mum and Dad and the crew,” Jarvis said. “We are very much a small family team but this weekend was all about being consistent and to conserve our points lead, hoping that we wouldn’t get taken out by some of the new guys trying to make an impression.”  Jarvis said. Hugh McAlister was equally wrapped with his second place in the Performax Cup, in only his second year of full competition. “This is fantastic, a bit of a surprise to be honest, but happy for Dad and the team to finish up against some of the best drivers in the country. Roll on 2019.” Wright, who heads to the Circuit of Americas next weekend for a round of the TA2 series as part of his prize for winning the 2017 title, conceded graciously that the young guard are just getting quicker, and the competition even more intense. “Our car hasn’t been quite right for the past few rounds, and we lost an engine in the final race today, however happy to still be third overall in the series and the first of the Masters. “Hopefully my bad luck is behind me, and all comes together next weekend in Austin Texas.” Wright said.