Lochie Dalton will shift gears into national Trans Am after the young star was announced as Garry Rogers Motorsport's newest signing for next season.
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The 18-year-old Launceston-born former karting champion has turned heads at the lower levels after the 2018 Australian KA1 Karting Championship and racing in the Toyota 86 Racing Series this season.
Dalton was the first-ever Tasmanian to win the karting championship as well as the first from the Apple Isle to win a karting round.
Trans Am marks a change in category for Dalton but he has previously tested fellow Tasmanian Tim Shaw's Chevrolet Camaro.
"Luckily Tasmania was pretty open during the pandemic so we did some testing with Tim Shaw and knew straight away that it was an awesome category to jump into," Dalton said.
"I love the power, the sound and how much they move around.
"I thought it was a real raw race car."
Dalton has some experienced know-how in his corner with Shaw and his mentor, former NASCAR driver and Supercars champion Marcos Ambrose.
"He [Ambrose] has helped me all through my karting so I've always leant on him a lot on what my pathway should be and the costs associated with Trans Am, it's silly not to do it," Dalton said.
"It has the best racing at the moment in the country. Marcos suggested it was probably the best series to take the next step into and then having Tim down here it all makes sense."
READ MORE: Nominate for the Junior Sport Awards
The Melbourne-based GRM outfit have a history of supporting young talent through the category after signing Nathan Herne last year while former Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin used to be on their books.
Dalton will complete a test with Shaw at Symmons Plains on Friday with Ambrose on hand to oversee the day.
While Dalton is yet to drive a Trans Am car competitively, he explained he was confident of making the transition.
"I've been hanging around Tim and Marcos a lot getting to know the car through listening to feedback, whilst watching what a Trans Am can do," he said.
Do you know someone who is contributing to Northern Tasmanian sport, whether through participating or assisting?
The Examiner's Junior Sports Awards, sponsored by Woolworths, provide acknowledgement of accomplishments by players, coaches, volunteers, teams and clubs across the region.
Nominations are open from Wednesday, April 14, and will close at midnight on October 4.
Entries must include a photograph of the entrant.
Adam Daunt
Sports reporter at The Examiner. Focus on basketball and netball but occasionally rolls the arm over for some cricket coverage in the summer. Previously from Adelaide with a stint in Byron Bay. Get in touch: adam.daunt@examiner.com.au.
Sports reporter at The Examiner. Focus on basketball and netball but occasionally rolls the arm over for some cricket coverage in the summer. Previously from Adelaide with a stint in Byron Bay. Get in touch: adam.daunt@examiner.com.au.
