THEY have spent the past 48 hours as allies, but Nathan Herne and James Moffat will put that on pause this weekend as they recommence their title rivalry.
Herne and Moffat were on Wednesday morning announced as drivers for a Garry Rogers Motorsport wildcard effort at this year’s Repco Bathurst 1000.
Both have had plenty of nice words for one another, but at the Perth Super440 it’s back to business in the world of Trans Am.
Herne is a two-time champion of the category from 2021 and ’22, with Moffat having seized the crown in ’23.
Fast forward to this year and through two rounds they are one and two in the standings, with Herne at a 31-point advantage.
“That’s an interesting one to balance,” said the 23-year-old.
“Hopefully me and Moff can keep out of each other for Perth, QR and The Bend before we co-drive together and we’re still on talking terms at that point!
“I know how Moff races and I think we’re very similar in a lot of ways. It will be an exciting time.
“We have, not a gentleman’s agreement, but we don’t fall into the politics and crap that a lot of people do. We don’t protest each other or anything like that.
“We just race hard, we race fair and move on with life and shake hands at the end of it.
“I think that level of respect is always going to be there between us and GRM and Moff especially.
“I don’t think the Trans Am stuff is going to become an issue – maybe just some internal bragging rights potentially.”
Moffat weighed in: “Fortunately we’re not racing Trans Am on the same weekend as Bathurst!
“Trans Am is a completely separate program and we’re both there to do the best job we can for our individual teams.
“I obviously drive for GRM in Trans Am and Nathan’s running his own team, so I wouldn’t expect anything on-track to change there in terms of how we go about racing each other in the Trans Am car.
James Moffat. Pic: Mark Walker
“But I’ve had a bit to do with Nathan when he was at GRM, more so when he was in the S5000, and just sort of helping him where I can.
“If we wind it back six years ago… we did a couple of days at Winton in the ZB, because for all intents and purposes he was doing that Bathurst in 2020. I remember being up there and doing some driver coaching stuff with him.
“That’s how far back I guess that Nathan and I go.
“I’ve always followed his career reasonably closely. I think he’s a good talent. He’s one of those guys out there that deserves a shot.
“He’s not the only one, there’s plenty of other young guys that deserve a go, but the trick in this business a lot of the time is just getting that first opportunity and making the most of it.
“I’m sure for Nathan, because it has been so long in the making, I’m confident that he will make every step a positive one.”
Herne has not shied away from highlighting the part Moffat has already played in his life.
“I credit Moff for giving me my career to where I am today,” he said.
“Because back in 2020 or ’21, I went to GRM to go do three months’ of work experience and he basically sat me down and said ‘do you want to sit on the balcony in 10 years’ time and say at least I had a crack, or do you want to just play it by chance?’
“That was the catalyst for me moving to Melbourne and working for GRM and gave me everything I’ve got now.”
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