21/10/2026
Champions Series #5: Nathan Thorne – National SSA Street Stock Champion
Back to Back to Back.. to Back?
Nathan Thorne has become synonymous with success in SSA Street Stocks, but despite entering last season's Australian Championship as the defending titleholder, his approach remained as measured as ever.
Rather than focusing solely on the result, Thorne's priority was to execute a clean championship campaign and give himself every opportunity when the feature race rolled around.
"I never have high expectations," Thorne explained. "The main goal was to have a clean run through the heats and try to put yourself in that top ten starting positions for the A Main."
Preparation leading into the Australian Championship was thorough, but far less stressful than the previous season.
"There was lots of going over the car to make sure everything was fresh and trying to eliminate any problems," he said. "Compared to the year before, when we had to build a new engine the week we were leaving, we actually had a smooth lead-up."
However, with both Nathan and brother Heath competing at the national title, the workload was doubled.
"We just had twice the preparation with two cars racing."
That attention to detail paid dividends, with Thorne enjoying an uninterrupted run through the qualifying heats before locking in a coveted front-row starting position for the championship decider.
"We had a clean run through the heats and I was happy to be starting on the outside of the front row," he recalled. "Before the final we just went over the car with a quick bolt check."
The championship race itself was anything but straightforward.
Despite surrendering positions in the opening laps, Thorne remained composed and methodically worked his way back through the field.
"It was a tough race," he said. "I went back a few positions at the start but just settled in and worked my way back to the front."
When the chequered flag finally fell, the overwhelming emotion wasn't excitement, but relief.
"More relief than anything," Thorne admitted. "To be able to go three in a row was a pretty special feeling."
While securing a third consecutive Australian Championship was the headline achievement, another moment from the weekend stands out just as much.
"Finishing one-two in an Australian Title with Heath."
Sharing the podium with his brother made the victory even more memorable, and Thorne was quick to acknowledge the role Heath has played in their remarkable success.
"I couldn't do it without Heath."
With three consecutive Australian Championships now to his name, Thorne isn't resting on his achievements. Instead, his attention has already turned to another season and another opportunity to extend one of the most impressive winning streaks in Street Stock history.
"The plan is the same again this year," he said. "We'll try and go four in a row."
After claiming Australian, South Australian, Victorian and Northern Territory honours across recent seasons, Thorne and his team have established themselves as one of the benchmark operations in Australian Street Stock racing.
Now, with the coveted Australian Number One once again on the side of the car, the challenge is clear: defend the title once more and continue writing their place in Street Stock history.
