Professional Motorcycle Racer, Entrepreneur. He received notoriety as a successful businessman, yet it was his death in a motorcycle race that gained headlines in newspapers world-wide. Representing Poland in motorcycle races, he had professionally participated in several world-wide competitions. He died racing in the “Dakar Rally 20015,” which was from San Juan to Chelecito in Argentina. After Hernik did not reach a certain point in the race, a team began to backtrack looking for him. His body was found without his helmet near his motorcycle at the 206th kilometers from the third stage of the race. No signs of an accident was seen. In his last conversation, he had complained that he was tired but planned to continue the race. Evidently, he had stopped to rest. Days later it was confirmed he died from overheating and dehydration. The temperature that day was 116 degrees Fahrenheit. Beginning in 1979, he was the 24th athlete to die during the annual Dakar Rally. A total of 75 deaths have occurred during these races including 14 news journalists and support crew, 23 spectators, and 4 children. The usual cause of death was vehicle collision. Although he had participated in similar races, this was his first Dakar Rally and he was ranked in 84th place in this notoriously dangerous event. He was the first Pole to died in this rally. Receiving his first motorcycle at an early age, he quickly became enthusiastic about racing. He studied at the University of Science and Technology in Krakow at the Department of Management and Marketing. After graduation, he became a marketer. As an entrepreneur, he was very successful. In 2006, he was one of the three founders of FarmaProm, becoming the CEO. FarmaProm is Poland's first modern solution of filling a medication prescription with 180 pharmaceutical companies from around the world participating. He was married and was the father of three daughters.