Hungry Herne has unfinished business

What lies ahead in 2024 may be currently unclear, but rapid Aussie Nathan Herne is certain on what he wants to achieve in the future.

After a tough maiden season racing Trans Am in the USA, Herne has enjoyed a busy summer of racing back home, starting with S5000 in Adelaide before some Speedway.

It wrapped up with great success in New Zealand, where the “Lismore Bullet” taught his rivals a lesson by winning all six races of the Aus v NZ TA2 Series.

But what is next remains unclear. 

Herne endured a character building rookie campaign in American Trans Am racing the CUBE 3/Berryman Ford Mustang, with his clear speed and potential brought down by off-track battles.

Nathan Herne leads the angry pack of TA2s at Christchurch.

Now the two-time Australian champion is looking for a new home and was close to securing a seat for a sophomore season, but it fell through.

With the opening American Trans Am round taking place last weekend at Sebring, Herne will not be able to compete a full 2024 season, but is confident he can still find a drive.

“I had an opportunity (for 2024) but things happened out of my control and it didn’t happen,” Herne told AUTO ACTION.

“If it was my decision the call would have been made in November last year. We got very very close and was about to put pen to paper but that fell through and put me on the back foot. Hopefully I know more soon.

“Sadly I won’t be able to compete for a full season and maybe in 2025 I can, which is a shame.

“For now it is just going to take a bit of time and figure out the best way forward.

Nathan Herne racing to a podium in the penultimate American TA2 round in Virginia last year.

“I am sure the second year will reap more rewards than the first year did.”

Not only does Herne want to return, he is determined to make a big splash in the states.

“I want to go back and dominate,” he continued.

“I am committed to getting back and race with one of the big teams in the future.

“I have realised how important racing with good teams are over there.

“Hopefully I can get myself into a better opportunity and tick off the boxes I didn’t tick off last year.

“Having learnt what I have and given good equipment, I believe I can be at the front.”

After being a winning machine in Australia, Herne took on America last year in the TA2 Series.

Nathan Herne racing hard in America.

Whilst on paper his 11th championship finish was not up to expectations, it did include a number of impressive drives including a charge from 15th to second in his second at New Orleans, while he also took a hat-trick of podiums in Mid Ohio and Road America despite claiming a 1.2s per lap disadvantage in straight line speed.

But sadly things got messy behind the scenes and things unravelled from there.

The 21-year-old admits it was a tough time but knows the tough time will put him in better shape for the challenges to come.

“When I went over there, debuted and finished fourth with damage that set a pretty good precedent,” Herne reflected.

“Across the first three rounds we were one of the cars to beat but unfortunately things behind the scenes did not work out well.

“I did not handle it the best but it was stuff I had not seen before and I didn’t have anyone to lean on by myself over there.

“I had to go see a therapist and sports psychologist to work out why I couldn’t switch off but that was for the best.

“I am a bigger and uglier person and would love to get another chance to do it again.”

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