HOW HERNE IS ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL

Within the last two years Nathan Herne has experienced all the highs and lows that motorsport can offer, but is bouncing back in his own way.

From being the undisputed king of Trans Am in Australia winning back to back titles with GRM, Herne chased his dream in America competing in the TA2 Series.

But that dream was dashed after just a year, leaving the “Lismore Bullett” with nowhere to race in 2024.

Now he is back in Australia and racing all on his own, having taken matters into his own hands by setting up is own privateer team for the remainder of the 2024 Trans Am season.

It is an old-school operation with the 21-year-old racing, testing, setting up and fixing the Dodge on his own with only three others including his dad assisting on race weekends.

Herne made his comeback at Symmons Plains where he led his first three laps, only for a puncture to put him on the back foot.

More tyre blistering battles at Phillip Island mean Herne’s bets result has been fourth in his comeback.

Reflecting on his journey back to the Trans Am grid, Herne admitted he did not think it would look like this, but he will give it everything to make the underdog approach pay off.

“For me it is something I have never thought about but recent events made me really knuckle down and think what would be next,” Herne told Auto Action.

“It has been very tough, when I was in America there were a few times where I felt I was let down. I also let the team down at times as well but i never really got the opportunity to show what I have got, which is still gut wrenching.

“Now I have no excuses and that is why I am doing this and after last year I want to do it properly.

“I am starting at 6am and finishing at 9pm seven days a week which is what I have to do to compete with the best.

“It has been a good challenge and made me more of a complete driver, and to do it with people I enjoy being around is great.

“I have to take a step back to admire that I can run a car myself but I am too competitive to do that and want to try and win as many races as I can.”

In something of a fairytale, Herne is conducting the personal Trans Am return with a car that means a lot to him.

He is steering the same Dodge Challenger he won his first Trans Am title with in 2021 and admitted it is special to reunite with the car, but given he must not only race it, but also fix it, he is a lot more aware of every scratch.

“It is tough having been with GRM and a big team behind me in America and now coming back doing a solo operation,” Herne said.

“Now I have to do all the repairs pretty much by myself so when I am racing I am definitely thinking more about the damage and consequences.

“I have tried to leave as much as I can in 2021 shape without affecting this year.

“That was the year that set off my career off the back of the Super Licence thing which crushed me.

“I am hoping to do a repeat this year by flicking the switch again and there is no better way than by racing the old girl again.

“But with the experience the field has, it will be very hard to get to that point.”

A lot of change has happened in Trans Am since Herne last race, most notably an influx of Supercars stars with James Moffat, Todd Hazelwood, Jordan Boys, James Golding and Tim Slade  all racing hard, while they will be joined by Brodie Kostecki for the next round in Tailem Bend.

Herne admits the current state of Australian Trans Am is so competitive it rivals what he experienced in America.

“I feel like right now when I left to America I was competitive but shocked how close it was over there,” Herne said.

“If you had an off weekend you would be well back in 12th place and it has the same feel in Australia now.

“Things like blistering tyres mean I am struggling big time, but that is what you want from the category.”

In addition to his Trans Am commitments, Herne will race in Europe for the first time next weekend in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series.

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