Garry Rogers Motorsport announces Supercars return
James Moffat and Nathan Herne to share Bathurst 1000 wildcard
GRM last contested Bathurst 1000 in 2020
Garry Rogers Motorsport will return to the Supercars grid for the first time in six years, with James Moffat and debutant Nathan Herne to steer a wildcard at the Repco Bathurst 1000.
Still carrying the name of its late eponymous team owner, GRM makes a triumphant and emotional return to Mount Panorama, nine months after the Supercars Hall of Famer passed away.
GRM competed in the championship for over 30 years before leaving Supercars in 2019, before making a wildcard start with Jayden Ojeda and Tyler Everingham in 2020.
Three-time Bathurst podium finisher Moffat will make his 17th Great Race start in October, with Trans Am star Herne to make his long-awaited debut. Herne was earmarked to race in 2020, only to be denied dispensation to race.
Fittingly, the announcement has been made on the birthday of Garry Rogers, who led his team to Bathurst victory in 2000 with Garth Tander and Jason Bargwanna behind the wheel.
Herne and Moffat have carried on GRM's legacy into Trans Am, Herne winning the 2022 title with GRM, before Moffat won the 2023 championship.
The pair are currently 1-2 in the 2026 Trans Am standings, Herne now running and driving for his own team, whilst Moffat remains a part of the GRM stable.
Come October, Herne will reunite with GRM, sharing an ex-Triple Eight Camaro with Moffat, complete with backing of long-time GRM partner Valvoline.
GRM Director Barry Rogers, son of Garry, said the inspiration to run the Great Race was centred on continuing his father's legacy.
“My motivation for wanting to return to Supercars and race at the 2026 Bathurst 1000 was in memory and out of respect for my dad, Garry Rogers," Barry Rogers said.
"Those same feelings are shared by the GRM crew and our loyal sponsor group, led by Valvoline.
"I’m aware of the romantic side to GRM again racing in Supercars and in particular at Bathurst and although it's important to embrace that feeling, this entry is to celebrate what Dad contributed to Motorsport and to thank him.
"Dad is missed enormously by our family and for the many past and present Garry Rogers Motorsport employees, sponsors, friends and motorsport fans, we are determined to put our very best foot forward in every aspect of this entry.
Moffat, who finished second in 2014 and 2021, and third in 2022, was excited to be alongside Herne as the rising star finally makes his debut.
"Dad always supported young people, Nathan Herne won the 2022 Trans Am Series as a 19-year-old under the tutelage of Garry. To have him joined by James Moffat, who dad was tremendously fond of and also a GRM Trans Am Champion, is a very fitting lineup.
"I’d like to acknowledge Supercars and in particular Barclay Nettlefold, Shane Howard and Tim Edwards in assisting with the information required to have this entry approved and get GRM on the grid for this year’s Bathurst 1000."
"To be heading back to Bathurst with GRM is going to be very special. I wasn’t sure if my streak of starts at Bathurst was going to end this year, so to be coming back once again and particularly with GRM is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up," Moffat said.
"I’m very much looking forward to lending my experience to the whole wildcard program and being able to help guide Nathan Herne through his first Bathurst 1000 start.
"I’ve known Nathan for a long time, done a lot of racing against him in Trans Am and there’s no doubt about his talent. For both of us, it should be a really natural connection given our history to partner up and form a great co-driver partnership."
Herne added: “I feel extremely prepared for this opportunity to come back with GRM and for the team to also make their return to Supercars for the first time since that program, it's exciting stuff.
"To be doing it with Moff is a huge deal as well. He mentored me early on in my career and was one of the big catalysts behind me moving down to Melbourne in 2021 to work for GRM full time.
"I have a lot of time for Moff, he taught me a lot about racing, and we’ve had some good moments off the track too."
The grid for the 2026 Repco Bathurst 1000 now sits at 26 cars, with GRM joining Team 18 (Craig Lowndes/Bayley Hall) in running wildcards.
