Australian driver Nathan Herne is making his return to the American Trans Am Series at the Mid-Ohio Sport Car Course this weekend.
The two-time Australian Trans Am Series winner has confirmed his second international appearance of 2024, following his debut at the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps back in May.
Herne will be driving with F.A.S.T. Auto Racing, a Brooklyn based team owned by American driver Adrian Wlostowski. The partnership was possible through the team’s relationship with Howe Racing, of which Herne previously worked at during his two seasons abroad in Michigan.
This weekend’s race at Mid-Ohio marks a one-off return to America for Herne, who had one his best performances at the track during his rookie season – finishing sixth overall.
Herne will drive the #15 Chevrolet Camaro backed by Owosso Speedway, a brand-new facility located in Michigan.
“I’ve been speaking with the Howe’s all year, mostly on a personal level. While I was over there, I lived with them, so we built a very close relationship, but obviously I always had the want to go and race with them again,” Herne said.
“I was working on my car last week in Lismore when I got the text saying we had finally got things ticked off, I booked the first flight out the next day so I could come and do some laps on the Howe’s skid pan and here we are.
“We’re partnering up with F.A.S.T. Auto Racing owned by Adrian Wlostowski, who I got to know across 2023 and he’s a big supporter of the Howe chassis over here in America.”
Since his return to Australia, Herne has been surprised by the differences between the Australian and American Trans Am machinery.
“It’s crazy how different the cars are in America, especially since I’ve been working on my own car in Australia, I’ve come to understand what I’m really looking at more. It’s a different set of rules, they handle quite differently with a radial Pirelli tyre and all the under-chassis aero,” Herne explained.
“Our cars in Australia are more comparable to the 2015 cars, it’s just a constant development race in America.
“Mid-Ohio was the track we had our eye on all year, mostly given its nature. The Howe cars are really strong at the tighter tracks, and with all the quick direction changes the track really suits the chassis. The Series itself has changed a lot since I was here even last year.
“Majority of the top teams are in the wind tunnel and on shaker rigs now, where last year it was really just starting to come into that phase.
“So it’s definitely a lot more competitive from an engineering standpoint, but from what I’ve seen of the Howe chassis and the Howe crew, and even driving with them last year, we’ll be strong, I have no doubts.”
With no pressure of a full championship campaign, Nathan is looking forward to securing his first American Trans Am Series win with a new and more relaxed mindset.
“I didn’t get to tick off a win last year and it’s the only category I’ve competed in and haven’t got a win in yet, and that’s bugged me quite a bit, so I really want to get that ticked off,” Herne said,
“I want to enjoy it though, last year I probably should have taken more time for that, so I’m definitely going in with a different mindset this time and more relaxed.”
Australians can catch all the action live from Mid-Ohio from June 21-23 on TheTransAmSeries YouTube channel.
