Charlie Nash to Compete in Trico TransAm and Toyota GR86 Cup for Tickford Autosport in 2025
Tickford Racing is excited to announce that Charlie Nash will race in two categories during the 2025 season as part of the Tickford Autosport programme. Charlie will make his debut in the ARG-run Trico TransAm Series as well as return for a second season in the Toyota GR86 Cup.
Charlie recently completed his first official test day with the TransAm car at Queensland Raceway on 28 January, marking the beginning of his journey in the high-powered series. He will debut in the TransAm Series with Nemo Racing the Paul Morris-run team while continuing his participation in the Toyota GR86 Cup with Ash Seward Motorsport for the second year.
The Nash name carries a strong legacy in Australian motorsport. Rod Nash, Charlie’s father, made his mark as both a driver and team owner. He competed in the Australian Touring Car Championship (now Supercars) as a privateer in the late 1990s and early 2000s, finishing as runner-up in the V8 Supercars Privateer Cup in 1998 and 1999. Rod also made several Bathurst 1000 starts before transitioning into team ownership with Rod Nash Racing, which later became a significant part of Tickford Racing. Today, Rod is a Co-Owner of Tickford Racing, playing a key role in the team’s strategic direction and continued success.
Charlie Nash is now forging his own path in Australian motorsport as part of the Tickford Autosport programme, where he will benefit from the guidance of Tickford Racing great Mark Winterbottom. Mark has taken on a mentorship role for the next generation of drivers, and Charlie is excited to learn from someone with over 20 years of experience in the Supercars paddock.
Charlie Nash Racing Career:
Charlie began his motorsport journey at the age of 9, when he first competed in karting in the Cadet 9 category. His career continued to rise through the ranks as he made the transition to the Hyundai Excel Series in 2022. In his first year, he competed in the Victorian Hera Series and won a round of the Shannons Speed Series at Tailem Bend, marking the beginning of his rise in competitive motorsport.
In 2023, Charlie returned to the Hyundai Excel Series and further honed his skills, taking part in the Tailem Bend Enduro alongside co-driver Thomas Randle. This experience in endurance racing added another layer to his skillset.
In 2024, Charlie expanded his experience by racing in the Excel Dunlop Destiny Series at prestigious events such as the Bathurst 6 Hour and Willowbank Raceway. He also returned to the Excel Enduro at Tailem Bend with Randle. During this period, he underwent extensive testing in the Toyota GR86 Cup car at circuits including Winton, Sydney Motorsport Park, and Phillip Island. These tests prepared him for his step-up to the Toyota GR86 Cup Series, where he competed in all five rounds, racing at the Townsville Street Circuit, Sydney Motorsport Park, Sandown 500, Bathurst 1000, and the Gold Coast Street Circuit. His rookie season in the GR86 Cup saw him finish 12th overall out of a 34-car grid, showing his adaptability and racecraft in a competitive field.
Looking ahead to 2025, Charlie is set to compete in both the TransAm Series, with seven rounds scheduled, and five rounds of the Toyota GR86 Cup Series. With his rookie year in the GR86 Cup behind him, Charlie is eager to build on his previous experience and establish himself as a consistent front-runner in the series. His TransAm debut will bring new challenges as he adapts to the high-powered V8 muscle cars, offering an exciting next step in his racing career.
Charlie Nash, Tickford Autosport Driver:
"I am feeling very excited to run in both TransAm and TGRA 86 Cup. I know it’s going to be another step up in my racing career, but we all believe this is the right move. It’s going to be a very jam-packed season with 11 rounds in total, but I believe in myself, and I’ll be putting 110% into both categories."
Stepping up to a category like TransAm, with more power, aero, and slick tyres, will be a key learning experience for Nash. He recognises that competing in both series will enhance his understanding of car dynamics, as he continues to develop his race craft.
"Racing in TransAm will help me understand how a car reacts to different driver inputs and mechanical changes. Learning this at a young age will be crucial for my progression later in my motorsport career."
Having already worked closely with Thomas Randle, Nash is also looking forward to learning from Tickford Racing legend Mark Winterbottom, who is mentoring the Tickford Autosport drivers in 2025.
"Thomas and I have worked closely together over the last couple of years, and I owe a lot of my knowledge to him – not just in driving but in media as well. Now, I’m excited to work with Frosty. He has over 20 years of experience in the Supercars paddock, and I’ve looked up to him ever since I was a kid in the FPR days."
Reflecting on his first TransAm test at Queensland Raceway, Nash was thrilled with the experience.
"The test went amazing! Sitting on the left-hand side and using a dog straight-cut gearbox was a weird feeling at first, but by the end of the day, I felt at home in the car. Working with the Norwell team was fantastic, and we kept improving my time and knowledge about the car."
Rod Nash, Tickford Racing Co-Owner:
"I’ve been around motor racing since I was 15 years old, and my father raced on speedways, so I learned at a young age what competition was all about. Now, after years of running a professional motorsport team, it’s very rewarding to be able to provide that opportunity for Charlie and watch the journey begin again."
Rod Nash believes in the importance of young drivers developing their skills from the ground up and sees Charlie’s dual campaign in 2025 as an ideal step forward.
"I’ve worked with many talented drivers and crews in motorsport, and I believe success comes from learning the ropes at the grassroots level. Charlie is fortunate to have access to experienced engineers and a passionate team around him, which will only help him as he steps up through competitive categories like the Toyota GR86 Cup and the exciting TransAm Series. Who knows where that could lead?"
With a dual campaign in 2025, Charlie Nash is set to further cement the Nash family legacy in Australian motorsport, with an exciting season ahead in both the TGRA GR Cup and Trico TransAm Series.
