The Bend circuit is set to roar back to life this weekend as a mix of fresh talent and familiar names headline the Trans Am field. Following the impressive performances of several TA2 Muscle Car Series drivers at Queensland Raceway, four more regulars are ready to step up at the Tailem Bend venue in South Australia.
Walkinshaw junior Pip Casabene, along with Matt Stone Racing teammates Pat Neville and Tommy Smith, will make their return to Trans Am for the first time since the season opener at Bathurst. Casabene will pilot the #10 Maverick Performance Ford Mustang, replacing Supercars team owner Tim Blanchard, who is unavailable due to overseas business commitments.
Another name to watch is Joel Heinrich, a three-time Aussie Racing Cars champion, who will compete at his home round. The South Australian stepped away from full-time racing in Aussie Racing Cars and Touring Car Masters this year to focus on TA2, and he has since become a regular front-runner. Fellow South Aussie Scott Dornan will make his series debut after a sole TA2 outing at Sydney Motorsport Park earlier in the year.
In the team ranks, Super2 squad Image Racing will make its first Trans Am start, fielding Toyota GR Cup and Formula Ford front-runner Isaac Demellweek for his debut. Elliott Barbour, meanwhile, returns to the grid with GRM/Marcos Ambrose Motorsport after missing the Ipswich event.
In the championship fight, two-time champion Nathan Herne holds a narrow eight-point lead over Jarrod Hughes, with Todd Hazelwood and Blake Tracey close behind. Just 23 points cover the top four, leaving little room for error. Interestingly, Tracey swept the round at The Bend in 2025—a result that kickstarted his title charge this season.
“I’m very confident heading into this weekend. I had a strong round at Queensland Raceway, taking home the round win there,” said Tracey. “I had my first Trans Am round win at The Bend last year—we’re on a different circuit this year, so I think the racing is going to be intense, but I know I’ve done well here in the past, so I’m excited to see what we can do.”
Trans Am will race three times across the weekend, with one race each on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. With a diverse grid and tight championship battle, The Bend promises to deliver intense door-to-door action that Australian motorsport fans won't want to miss.
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