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Ben Grice’s Trans Am attack expands to three
Ben Grice will be joined by two new team-mates at the opening round of the Turtle Wax Trans Am Series, which forms part of the second-annual AWC Race Tasmania next weekend.
Grice debuted a new All American Auto Parts and Driveline Ford Mustang at Sydney Motorsport Park’s penultimate round of last year’s series after the season racing a Dodge Challenger, while newcomer John Holinger will debut a Chevrolet Camaro at Symmons Plains on February 11-13.
Still retaining the Challenger, former Super3 competitor Nic Carroll will take on the driving duties in 2022.
Having already scored a podium on debut at Adelaide 2020, Carroll’s addition leaves Grice confident the pair will form one of the strongest teams on the Turtle Wax Trans Am Series grid.
“Nic is a first grade driver, so we can both compare and push each other to go faster,” Grice explained.
“We had a pretty successful test just recently at Winton and Nic has been on the podium in the category, so it certainly helps having strike bowlers at both ends of the pitch.”
This program marks Carroll’s return to national competition after contesting the inaugural round of Turtle Wax Trans Am in Adelaide.
“I had a taste of the category in 2020 and we set our sights on continuing in Trans Am, but with COVID it didn’t happen,” Carroll recalled.
“I’m pretty excited to be back driving and locked in for the whole season. I’m looking forward to teaming with Ben, I raced him back when we were doing Toyota 86s which was great and to be also working alongside Les is awesome.
“I’m looking forward to racing in Tassie and getting stuck into the rest of the season.”
Uniquely, the Les Small-led team will represent each of the category’s three manufacturers.
On the squad’s expansion to three entries, Grice emphasised the growth of the category.
“I’ve been in motor racing my whole life and I’ve never seen anything come out of the blocks this quick,” Grice said.
“I don’t think it’s going to slow down either.
“It certainly has legs and it’s what Australian race fans want to see.
“It happened pretty quickly and just goes to show how good this category is.”
Tickets are on sale for the first major motorsport event of 2022. CLICK HERE for details.
If you can’t be trackside, you can stream the Turtle Trans Am Series, Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series and the S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport, with live coverage also on the Nine Network.