'It's a dream of mine just to race,': Josh Herne carries on the family name

Herne grew up racing go-karts in Lismore and recently stepped up to the V8 Dirt Modified division.

It is fitting he now races in that division with his uncle Stuart Herne a seven-time Australian V8 Dirt Modified champion and Lismore speedway legend.

The 31-year-old has had success on and off the track in recent years, growing the Herne Security business from its roots in Lismore.

Josh grew up racing around the country with cousins Bianca, Natasha and Nathan.

They raced under the Herne Racing Team banner.

Nathan is now a multiple time Australian Trans Am Champion and went to the United States last year to compete in the American series.

"Most of my family has raced and I've grown up around it," Josh said.

"My uncle is my favourite driver and still is, I've always looked up to him.

"We travelled the country racing go karts together and we'll always have that bond and love for the sport.

"We've all had to work hard to achieve our goals, we've never just been given anything.

"We put the effort in from a young age.

"It's a dream of mine just to race in the V8s and I'll be doing everything I can to make it a success."

Josh started racing go-karts when he was seven.

He was recognised for his efforts, which included state title wins, at the Australia Day awards in Lismore last year.

Herne was always destined for the race track and it appears his career as a security guard was set in stone from a young age.

"I remember being a kid and driving through Byron Bay with mum and dad.

"I saw a big security guard standing out the front of Cheeky Monkeys and thought 'I want to be like that.'

Herne started out in pub work in his 20s and runs a successful business which started in Lismore. It now covers Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie.

"It's taken about five years of not sleeping much and the phone ringing through the night, but I love it," he said.

"I'm lucky that we have a really great team.

"We have good relationship with a lot of other businesses in town and it helps that I've known a lot of them since I was a kid.

"I always wanted to run my own business where I could hire good people and help them look after their families.

"Racing and working in the security industry are both really competitive and I'm doing what I love."

A title win in the V8 division would be huge for the Herne family.

Stuart Herne's last Australian title was in 2005 before a racing accident ended his driving career a few years later.

Josh only recently returned to the track after having back issues of his own following a crash in July.

"I broke my back in three places, but having raced my whole life I don't really get nervous about the injuries," he said.

"I'm bouncing back now and I'm just looking forward to what's ahead.

"The racing community in Lismore is strong and I'm blessed to be part of it.

"We're very lucky to have so many iconic names come out of Lismore speedway, I just hope I can carry that tradition on."