Nathan Herne has dusted off his 2021 series winning Dodge Challenger and given a full rebirth.The field is bolstered over the 16 that competed at Sandown by the inclusion two-time series winner Nathan Herne, local Adam Garwood, Josh Thomas and Mark Bailey.

While he has not given up on his ambition to return to the United States, Herne has busily rebuilt his 2021 series winning Dodge Challenge to tackle the rest of the series. The car sports a new livery and backing from BlueGold Industries.

“We had to make changes to the car, the ride height has been raised in the category since we raced the car, and the front track reduced,” said the 21-year-old as he tested at Winton Raceway last weekend.

Tasmanian Garwood will again be in Trans Am for his home round and will be in the third Dream Racing Australia entry, driving the Chev Camaro American Robert Noaker drove at the Bathurst International last year. Garwood will line alongside Ford Mustang teammates Jackson Rice and Josh Webster.

The latter who won the Pro-Am class at the first round, will also sport new livery. The ex-Owen Kelly Mustang’s look is inspired by the previous driver’s scheme with new sponsor Document Management Tasmania.

Thomas returns with TFH Hire Services and links up with Todd Hazelwood as the team field two cars for the first time this year. Bailey will be run by Ashley Seward Motorsport in the car driven last year for a pair of thirds by Brett Holdsworth.

James Moffat clean swept the opening round and will be the favourite as he won the three races in Tasmania last year. His Garry Roges Motorsport teammates in James Golding, Tim Slade, Edan Thornburrow and Tom Davies makes them a formidable squat to take on for the rest.

Among those that break up the GRM powerhouse are Ben Grice who was the fastest qualifier last year, and The Racing Academy duo of Elliot Cleary and Jordan Boys. Nash Morris, Tom Hayman and Elliot Barbour are also strong contenders after difficult starts this year. Others in the lineup are John Holinger and Chris Pappas.

The Young Gun Award will also be contested, with all drivers under the age of 25 eligible to claim the victory irrespective of their overall class.

Round two will be contested over the four-race format this weekend, with all races scheduled for 25 laps, two each on Saturday and Sunday after two practice session on Friday and qualifying on Saturday. All four races will be live and free on 7plus, with races’ two and four also shown on free-to-air TV via 7mate.