TYLER Everingham is upbeat about making strides towards the front of the National Trans Am field as he debuts a fresh colour scheme.
The Tickford Racing co-driver has this year shifted away from the Super2 Series, in which he is a multiple race winner, to Trans Am.
It comes as Australian Racing Group co-owner Barry Rogers has labelled Trans Am machinery a closer match to Gen3 Supercars than the cars now running in Super2.
Everingham made a steady start to the season at Symmons Plains in February, finishing ninth in Race 1 and running top five in the event finale before a mechanical failure forced him to retire.
That’s left him a lowly 15th in the standings.
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Since then, Everingham has taken part in the TA2 Muscle Car Series’ Darwin event, where he and Jackson Rice initially were classified second for the round before a penalty later demoted them to fourth.
More recently, he and his Dream Racing Australia teammates Josh Webster and Craig Scutella have completed a Phillip Island test day in preparation for Round 2 at the same location this weekend.
“The test last week was good and has given us a lot of confidence for the weekend,” said the Dubbo product, whose #27 Chevrolet Camaro continues to be backed by long-time supporters Blue Ribbon Legal and Lowes Petroleum.
“I haven’t raced or driven at Phillip Island for quite a while, and with that day done, it means I’m definitely looking forward to getting back into racing.
“I’ve still only done one round in these Trans Ams, and I’m still learning little things about the car. We made quite a few changes at the test.
“We still have a bit to refine to get it how we want it, but we’ll be pushing hard to get there.
“Trans Am is definitely a very competitive category. There aren’t many weak competitors in the field, so I’m expecting it to be a hard-fought battle.
“I’m looking forward to the weekend. It will be interesting to see who is at the front and see how we fall in.”
Everingham’s charge to the 2018 Kumho V8 Touring Car Series title began at Phillip Island, taking race results of second, third and fourth in his MW Motorsport FG Falcon.
James Moffat leads the 2023 Trans Am standings from Lochie Dalton and Jaylyn Robotham.