![](https://media4.speedcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/TransAm_Bathurst.jpg)
It won’t be Shane van Gisbergen, but the Turtle Wax Trans Am Series will still have a debutant in its ranks this weekend at Mount Panorama.
Repco Supercars Championship leader van Gisbergen was due to juggle a maiden Trans Am expedition with a drive in the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour main event, until a COVID-19 positive test rendered him unavailable.
Brett Holdsworth had been among the competitors to hail van Gisbergen’s addition to the grid as “amazing”, but the opportunity to go door-to-door with the Kiwi will now have to wait until at least May 27-29 at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Nevertheless, there will be a fresh face on the 25-car grid in the form of James Simpson.
The youngster is a fourth-generation racer, his father Michael having raced to a number of podium finishes in what is now known as the Dunlop Super2 Series.
Simpson Snr also made a pair of starts in the Bathurst 1000, co-driving with Craig Harris in 2001 and Kevin Mundy in 2002.
Meanwhile, Elliot Barbour will return after missing the recent Phillip Island round.
Nathan Herne enters the Bathurst event holding a seven-point lead over nearest rival Tim Brook.
The Turtle Wax Trans Am Series will roll out for opening practice at 08:15 tomorrow.
Entry list: Turtle Wax Trans Am Series, Round 3
Number | Class | Sponsor | Driver | Model |
1 | Outright | Team Valvoline GRM | Nathan Herne | Ford Mustang |
2 | Outright | Micale Cabinets/Nuveau Group | Kyle Gurton | Ford Mustang |
3 | Outright | All American Driveline | Ben Grice | Ford Mustang |
4 | Masters Cup | Crutcher Developments | Mark Crutcher | Ford Mustang |
6 | Hoosier Cup | McAlister Motors | Hugh McAlister | Ford Mustang |
8 | Hoosier Cup | Wealth Rite Racing | Chris Pappas | Ford Mustang |
12 | Hoosier Cup | Shaun Richardson Motorsport | Shaun Richardson | Dodge Challenger |
23 | Masters Cup | Holinger Racing | John Holinger | Chevrolet Camaro |
27 | Outright | Pioneer DJ | Elliot Barbour | Chevrolet Camaro |
31 | Hoosier Cup | Bruce Lynton Service | Dalton Ellery | Ford Mustang |
33 | Hoosier Cup | Team Boley Racing | Brock Boley | Chevrolet Camaro |
36 | Outright | PBS Specialty Coatings | Cody Burcher | Ford Mustang |
37 | Outright | Dream Racing Australia | Jackson Rice | Dodge Challenger |
38 | Outright | Paynter Dixon Wall Racing | Tim Brook | Ford Mustang |
45 | Outright | Up2/11 Motorsport GRM | Lochie Dalton | Ford Mustang |
48 | Outright | Nic Carroll Motorsport | Nic Carroll | Dodge Challenger |
67 | Outright | Supercheap Auto | Nash Morris | Ford Mustang |
69 | Outright | Dial Before You Dig | Jon McCorkindale | Ford Mustang |
73 | Outright | Owen Kelly Motorsport | Owen Kelly | Ford Mustang |
88 | Hoosier Cup | Ownit Homes/Superior Jetties | John Harris | Ford Mustang |
99 | Outright | TPS Group/Breeze Holiday Park | Brett Holdsworth | Chevrolet Camaro |
116 | Outright | Sydney Property Care | Edan Thornburrow | Ford Mustang |
117 | Hoosier Cup | NAPA Auto Parts | Jett Johnson | Ford Mustang |
777 | Masters Cup | Dream Racing Australia | Craig Scutella | Chevrolet Camaro |
782 | Hoosier Cup | Seven82Motors | James Simpson | Dodge Challenger |