A LATE call-up will see Lismore driver Nathan Herne drive a Lamborghini around one of the world's most famous circuits.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
Here will compete in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe series around Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (Spa).
The Super Trofeo Europe serves as a supporter series to the World Endurance Championship which holds the Six Hours of Spa this week.
Within the last two years, 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 Bullet' 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 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 best 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 said.
"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.
"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."
Herne said 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."
This article was supplied by Auto Action Magazine with other racing articles on autoaction.com.au