Trans Am
Nathan Herne has produced a dominant weekend at The Bend Motorsport Park, completing a clean sweep of the Trans Am Cup Series round with three victories across the weekend.
The two-time series winner set the tone in Saturday’s opening race, holding off Todd Hazelwood and James Moffat in a thrilling finish.
Herne crossed the line just 0.3 seconds ahead of Hazelwood, with Moffat a further 0.2 seconds behind in a closely fought battle for the podium.
The race was punctuated by drama, particularly at the fast Turn 5, where several drivers ran wide throughout the event.
The safety car was eventually deployed after reigning TA2 Series winner Jarrod Hughes was involved in a clash that caused steering damage.
A late restart set up a two-lap dash to the finish, but Herne held his nerve to secure the opening win.
Moffat appeared set to claim victory in Race 2 after leading the field for much of Saturday afternoon. However, a dramatic final-lap clash with Hazelwood at Turn 11 changed the result.
Moffat crossed the line first, but was handed a 10-second penalty for the incident, elevating Herne to his second win of the weekend.
Hazelwood was awarded second, while Cody Brewczynski secured a career-best Trans Am result in third after Lachlan Evennett was also penalised.
The race had earlier been interrupted by a spectacular opening-lap crash at Turn 9, which involved several cars and resulted in a safety car period.
Herne completed the clean sweep in Sunday morning’s final race, overcoming a determined challenge from Evennett to win by 0.5 seconds.
After initially leading from the front row, Herne briefly surrendered the advantage to Hazelwood before reclaiming the position two laps later.
Evennett then moved into second and steadily closed the gap, setting up a tense battle in the closing stages.
Herne ultimately held firm to claim his fifth Trans Am clean sweep and strengthen his bid for a third championship.
Evennett finished second, while Brewczynski secured his second consecutive third-place finish. Hazelwood and Ben Bargwanna completed the top five.
The result capped a remarkable weekend for Herne, who emerged from a chaotic and fiercely contested round with three wins from three races and maximum momentum in the championship fight.
Trans Am returns to the track at GT Festival Sandown as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries calendar from 30 October to 1 November.
Battery World Aussie Racing Cars
Teenage rookie Mathew Basso has announced himself in the Battery World Aussie Racing Cars series, claiming his first round victory after a thrilling four-race weekend at The Bend Motorsport Park.
Basso opened the weekend with victory in Saturday morning’s opening race, holding off Brandon Madden and Jack Boyd in a race dominated by close slipstream battles along The Bend’s lengthy pit straight.
The lead changed hands almost every lap, with Basso, Madden, Boyd, Rossi Johnson and Diesel Thomas all involved in the fight for victory.
Johnson was among the strongest contenders but lost ground while avoiding Thomas after he spun at Turn 6.
Thomas was unable to restart his car, bringing out the safety car, which remained on track until the chequered flag and secured Basso his first race win.
Madden responded in Race 2 with a spectacular finish, timing his move perfectly on the final lap. Basso led into the closing stages but was swamped by Madden and Johnson as the trio battled for position.
Johnson ran wide through the final corner, with both he and Basso running off the circuit and allowing Madden to sweep through for victory.
Madden and Johnson crossed the finish line separated by just 0.04 seconds, while Cody McKay completed the podium.
Thomas bounced back in Race 3, taking advantage of the reverse-grid format to charge from the midfield and claim victory.
Basso led for much of the race before Thomas worked his way forward, while Anthony Di Mauro secured third.
The final race delivered another memorable finish, with Basso holding off a pack of eight cars fighting for victory across the closing laps.
The young Queenslander kept his composure to claim his second race win of the weekend and, more importantly, his first round victory in the category.
Boyd finished second, ahead of Johnson, while Brad Gartner impressed with fourth on his category debut.
Madden completed the top five after featuring in the lead battle early, while Thomas suffered his second DNF of the weekend after a mechanical failure sent smoke pouring from his car.
Cody McKay also endured heartbreak on the final lap, spinning at the final corner and being unable to restart.
Basso’s breakthrough weekend at The Bend sets the tone for the final round of the 2026 season, which takes place at the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit from 23–25 October.
Touring Car Masters
Steven Johnson has enjoyed a dominant Touring Car Masters weekend at The Bend Motorsport Park, sweeping all three championship races in a standout display across the South Australian round.
Johnson began the weekend by taking victory in Race 1 from pole position, holding off Danny Buzadzic by 2.7 seconds.
Ryan Hansford completed the podium, ahead of Marcus Zukanovic and Scott Cameron.
The opening race featured an early scare at Turn 1, with Andrew Fisher squeezed onto the grass by Kiwi Invitational competitor Angus Fogg.
Fisher’s Torana returned to the circuit and made contact with Fogg, collecting Cameron in the process. All three were able to continue, with Fisher eventually recovering to ninth and Fogg finishing 10th.
Johnson was even more impressive in Race 2, immediately establishing control from the front and leading Buzadzic across the line by 3.1 seconds.
Cam Tilley impressed in the fan-favourite Valiant Pacer to secure third, while Fisher and Cameron completed the top five.
The race was less fortunate for several championship contenders. Dave Casey was forced to switch from his regular Holden to Scott Fleming’s #10 entry after suffering engine problems before the start, only to encounter further mechanical issues and retire.
Hansford was unable to take the start after his Torana also developed engine problems overnight.
Johnson completed the clean sweep in Race 3, overcoming Buzadzic in challenging wet conditions. Buzadzic initially grabbed the lead at the start, but Johnson responded just three corners later to regain first and pull away to a 6.3-second victory.
Fisher secured third, while Invitational drivers Lance Hughes and Hamish Frew finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Despite the difficult conditions, the final race was largely incident-free, with Tilley’s spin on the formation lap the only notable drama.
The weekend also featured the limited-points Trophy Race, where Danny Buzadzic charged to a commanding 9.5-second victory over Invitational competitor Nick Ross, with Angus Fogg completing the podium.
The Touring Car Masters Grand Finale will head to Mount Panorama for the final round of the season, with spectators to enjoy racing from 8-11 October.
Porsche Equity-One Carrera Cup Australia Championship
Harri Jones strengthened his position at the top of the Porsche Equity-One Carrera Cup Australia Championship with a dominant Race 1 victory at The Bend Motorsport Park.
The two-time champion made a strong start from the front row, sweeping around the outside of Turn 1 to take the lead from Tom Bewley.
David Russell soon moved into second, but Jones quickly established a comfortable advantage before ultimately crossing the line 2.8 seconds clear.
Aaron Love completed the podium, with Bewley and Lockie Bloxsom rounding out the top five. The victory was Jones’ fifth of the season and further extended his championship advantage.
The race was interrupted by a safety car after Pro-Am championship leader Jacque Jarjo spun at the Turn 5 sweeper and was unable to restart, while Clay Osborne also retired on the opening lap with damaged right-rear suspension.
The weekend’s second and final race was a very different affair, with heavy rain arriving just before the scheduled start.
The field initially took to the circuit on slick tyres, but the worsening conditions prompted a delay to allow teams to change to wet-weather tyres.
Cars completed two laps behind the safety car before the race was red flagged and ultimately abandoned, with no competitive laps completed.
Despite the abbreviated weekend, Jones emerged as the clear beneficiary, adding another race win to his championship campaign.
Two rounds remain for the season, beginning the Bathurst 1000 weekend. Carrera Cup drivers will compete over 8-11 October at Mount Panorama.
Australian Prototype Series
Jason Makris and Aaron Steer shared the Australian Prototype Series victories at The Bend Motorsport Park, with Makris dominating the opening two races before Steer fought back in the finale.
Makris comfortably won Race 1, leading Steer by 1.2 seconds to claim AP1 honours, while Tim Cook took AP2 victory in third outright and Michael Yialas secured AP3 honours in the overall top 10.
Makris was even more dominant in Race 2, extending his advantage and smashing his own lap record by 0.9 seconds on the final lap.
Steer again finished second, with Mark Laucke taking AP2 honours in third outright. Matt Powell claimed AP3 honours in 11th.
Steer saved his best for last, recovering from an opening-lap spin to charge through the field and take Race 3 victory on the final lap. Scott Bormann finished second, while Makris settled for third.
The final round of the Australian Prototype Series 2026 season takes place at Mallala Homecoming from 20-21 November.
