Back-to-Back Aussie Champion, and Thirsty for More!
It’s a tale of grit, determination, and a whole lot of hard work: Nathan Thorne, the National Street Stock Champion, defied the odds to clinch his second consecutive Australian Title in the most dramatic of circumstances. From blowing an engine just days before the event to overcoming mechanical dramas on race day, Nathan’s Aussie Title victory was nothing short of epic. Here’s how the weekend unfolded, and what’s next for the A1 car.
It’s a fairly regular occurrence to hear about a car blowing its motor just a week before a huge event, but it’s not so common to hear about a successful engine change after that to even make the title event let alone claim the win, yet that’s exactly what happened to Nathan.
“Seven days before we were supposed to get on the boat to Tasmania, we blew the motor,” Nathan recalls, still with a hint of disbelief.
In stepped Nathan’s twin brother, Heath, who went into overdrive to source parts, find a machine shop, and build a brand-new engine from scratch. It wasn’t easy: time was tight, and parts were scarce, but Heath managed to pull it all together. “We dynoed the motor the day before we left, and the first run it had was during practice at the event.”
Talk about cutting it close!
When they finally got to Tasmania and had a chance to practice, it was all about testing and fine-tuning. “Practice went well. We tried a few different things and ended up being quickest,” Nathan explains. But this was just the beginning. The first night of racing went exactly as planned: everything fell into place, and Nathan won all three of his heats. Confidence was high.
But as the saying goes, nothing ever stays perfect for long…
On day two disaster struck in the pits. “We discovered a hole in the radiator while prepping the car,” Nathan recalls. “So, we had to get creative and patch it up with JB Weld and Chem Weld.” Not exactly the fix you want for a high-performance car, but sometimes, racing is about making it work.
Despite the setback, Nathan’s luck turned around when he won the final heat on night two, securing top points for the final. They were in a strong position heading into the big race, but the challenges weren’t over just yet.
When it came time for the final, Nathan was ready. The plan was simple: start on the outside, avoid mistakes, and keep the car in one piece for forty long laps. But of course, it never goes that easy.
After three aborted starts, the race finally got underway. “The track was pretty rough, and there were a lot of yellows, so I just focused on getting a small lead and not damaging the car,” Nathan says. “It was a long 40 laps, and I was just relieved when I crossed the line.”
It wasn’t just about crossing the finish line, though. It was about repeating history. Nathan had already won the Aussie Title the year before, and now he was about to do it again: back-to-back. That’s something very few drivers can claim.
For Nathan, the Aussie Title isn’t just a trophy: it’s the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and teamwork. “It’s an incredible feeling, but it’s also a relief. Winning one is special, but to go back-to-back means even more. It’s a testament to all the work we’ve put in, and especially to Heath, who’s always the brains behind everything we do.”
As the dust settled on his second Aussie Title win, Nathan isn’t slowing down. “The plan for next season is pretty much the same as this year: try to attend as many titles as possible, and of course, defend the A1.”
In a twist of fate, the Australian Title next year will be at Nathan’s home track, a prospect that’s both exciting and a little daunting. “I’m really looking forward to it. Having the Aussie Title on our home turf will be an incredible opportunity, but the pressure will be on,” Nathan laughs. “Either way, we’ll be giving it our best shot.”
In a sport where teamwork is everything, Nathan’s family has always been at the core of his success. “I couldn’t do it without my whole family, and especially Heath. He’s the real brains behind everything. Without him, none of this would be possible.”
From the long hours in the garage to the late-night engine rebuilds, it’s clear that Nathan’s success isn’t just down to his talent behind the wheel. It’s the product of a family’s hard work and unwavering support.
After back-to-back wins, it’s clear Nathan Thorne isn’t content to rest on his laurels. With his eyes set firmly on the future, and a championship defense in the works, this is one driver you’ll want to keep an eye on. As for his second Aussie Title? Well, that’s just one more step on the journey to even bigger things.
