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Queensland rookie ready to race at home
Turtle Wax Trans Am Series rookie John Harris is excited by the prospect of racing at his home circuit in just a month’s time.
The latest generation from a family renowned for its constant motorsport involvement is excited for the opportunity to race in front of family for the first time in Trans Am.
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“We’re looking forward to racing at home,” said Harris.
“It’ll be good to go to a circuit we know.”
Harris is enjoying his maiden season at a national level, but described it as one of missed opportunities, though he aims to rectify this during the second half.
“We’ve had some races that we’ve been pretty happy with, there’s been a couple of incidents that have cost us good results I’ve done on my own,” Harris reflected.
“The competition this year is just so tight, to crack the top 10 you’re doing a good job and that’s our goal towards the end of the year.
“I think Queensland Raceway is our best prospect for that, but I still am taking a lot of positives away from the year so far.”
A solution to this is a stringer start to a race weekend explained Harris.
“If we could roll out of the transporter on Friday more confident as we always finish the Sunday races strong by making the top 10, but because we struggle early on during the weekend down the order it holds us back,” Harris suggested. “We do keep our nose clean though!”
Racing in a family comes with its own responsibilities including handling the preparation, but Harris is enjoying the time he and father Craig enjoy while travelling between rounds.
“We quite enjoy our drives home from the track,” emphasised Harris. “We always have a laugh during our debriefs and we’re pretty fortunate we get to travel with my mechanic Matt. He’s an apprentice mechanic from Bundaberg, who is looking after my car and is learning as quick as I am.
“I do all the prep on the car – Matt gives me a hand as well – together with driving and studying. It’s a bit, but I’m learning plenty so no complaints.”
The mid-season break will come to end in a month’s time, but Queensland’s Trans Am contenders will enjoy a test day ahead of their local round. Harris is bullish about his chances as he enjoys an intricate knowledge of the circuit.
“In the coming weeks there is a test, which is another chance to see how we match up with the top guys,” he revealed.
“It’s a track I do know pretty well because I’ve done a lot of laps there in production cars, including plenty of night races.”
Harris also affirmed his support of more night racing following the event at Sydney Motorsport Park, with Queensland Raceway being an obvious candidate.
“It was pretty cool,” Harris said. “The track is really well lit, so it’s not like the ones I have done at Queensland Raceway where it is more like a night race. It was a pretty cool feeling on the grid and having that feel of racing into the night.
“I think Queensland Raceway would be the next step. It needs a few more lights as we don’t really have any and it would be perfect.”
Turtle Wax Trans Am and SpeedSeries resumes on August 5-7 at Queensland Raceway.