JETT JOHNSON COMPLETES 26-CAR TRANS AM FIELD

JETT Johnson, the grandson of Supercars Hall of Famer Dick and son of Steven, will be among a 26-strong field for the Trans Am Series opener at Symmons Plains this weekend.

The 16-year-old Johnson makes his debut in the Australian Racing Group-run Turtle Wax Trans Am Series after winning the TA2 Muscle Car Northern Series in 2021.

Ford Mustang-mounted Johnson is expecting a far tougher challenge in the national series and is eager to learn as much as possible.

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“The goal for me in Trans Am this year is to just get experience at the tracks I’ve never been to and get used to racing that is going a little more hip and shoulder,” said Johnson.

“I just want to get through the weekend cleanly, learn as much as I can and, obviously, have some fun.

“I’m not looking to go out and win every race. If I get in the top three, I’d be happy.

“But I need to learn the race craft and think about what I’m doing when setting up passing moves. It will be a whole new thing for me to be in a pack of good cars racing against each other. 

“It will be interesting because you have a lot of people who are aggressive, pushing hard. The other Trans Am racing I’ve done is pretty cruisey, so it will be a good weekend of learning.”

The event will mark Johnson’s first time at the Symmons Plains circuit, but he says that some sim driving has helped fast track some of the questions he has had about the 2.41km circuit.

“I’ve never been to Symmons Plains. In fact, I’ve never been to Tasmania before!” He said. 

“I’m already down here now, getting ready for the weekend, and I’m going to the track on Wednesday for a track walk and then help the team unload and get ready. 

“If you look at the layout of Symmons, you’d think it’s simple, but it’s actually a pretty technical track, and then you are adding a whole bunch of other cars on the track, it will make for an interesting weekend.

“I’ve done some running on the sim which has helped me get my head around it, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Johnson is just one driver in Trans Am continuing the motorsport lineage of his respective family, with Ben Grice, Nash Morris in addition to debutants John Harris and Dalton Ellery doing likewise.

Marcos Ambrose protégé Lochie Dalton, Dream Racing Australia’s new recruit Jackson Rice, Super3 competitor Nic Carroll and Formula Ford race winner Cody Burcher further enhance the category’s depth, as does former Super2 competitor Jon McCorkindale.

Last year’s series runner up Edan Thornburrow returns as does chief rival Tim Brook, Garage1’s Kyle Gurton, Brett Holdsworth for Ash Seward Motorsport as well as Tasmanian Owen Kelly.

For 2022, three class titles will be contested; Outright, Hoosier Cup and Masters Cup, ensuring that the breadth of competitors have something to play for.

Racing will be available to stream ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport, with live coverage also on the Nine Network.

Turtle Wax Trans Am begins its season with three races as part of the second annual AWC Race Tasmania event held at Symmons Plains.

Entry List: Turtle Wax Trans Am Series Round 1, Symmons Plains