From the Northern Star – (http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2012/02/13/sibling-rivalry-takes-to-track-herne/)
THE Herne family was out in force with all four siblings finishing in the top three of their divisions in the first round of the NSW State Cup go-kart event at Lismore Showground yesterday.
Josh Herne, 19, led the way for the family when he took out the clubman heavy final.
Bianca, 18, finished second in the clubman light with 12-year-old sister Natasha finishing third in the rookies division.
Not to be outdone, nine-year-old Nathan finished second in the midgets.
However, it was Natasha who almost pulled off the biggest win of the afternoon after leading for the majority of her race.
“I was winning pretty much the entire time and then got pipped at the post on the last corner,” Natasha said.
“I can’t race against Bianca and Josh yet, but I can with Nathan.
“I like the speed of karting and beating the boys.”
Nathan isn’t fazed by being the youngest and most inexperienced in the family.
“Josh is really good but he has been racing for years,” Nathan said.
“I led for 14 laps and it was hard because it was really hot and the track was slippery at the same time yesterday.”
Nathan and Natasha have been racing fanatics since watching their father, legendary Lismore speedway driver Stuart Herne, in action.
His career was cut short when he broke his back in a speedway accident in 2008.
“Motor racing is a very good sport and we go all over Australia,” Stuart Herne said.
“There is always an element of danger and risk involved but that’s probably the attraction of it as well.
“I think a few of my kids will get into speedway a bit later on.”
Other winners from yesterday included Brady Buchanan who took out the junior national heavy event.
Lismore Kart Club also fared well with victories across all divisions including Fraser Ruane (cadets), Chris Burley (national light), Adam Briggs (clubman light), Josh Crossingham (senior national light), Michael Slade (tag restricted light), and Luke Garrard (tag restricted heavy).
