This weekend’s double-header round of the QBE Australian Superbike Championship at Sydney Motorsport Park will hold special meaning for two of the series biggest contenders.
For Superbike championship leader Glenn Allerton (pictured above on pole at Ipswich), it is the first time in four years that an event has been hosted in his hometown while for Troy Herfoss; it will mark a return to the series after 12 months in Europe contesting the IDM German Superbike Championship.
Allerton, who takes a 15-point lead into the double-header event, will be hard to beat at his home track. The NextGen Motorsports rider has topped the timesheets in every session bar one this season.
A successful two-day test at Sydney Motorsport Park earlier this week leaves Allerton confident he won’t endure the same ECU issue that forced him to the team’s spare BMW S1000RR in the final race at Queensland Raceway.
“I am really happy with how our test went,” Allerton said. “The track probably wasn’t in perfect condition for setting an ultimate lap time but we were still able to work through some of the issues we had and make gains.
“We now know that an engine sensor caused the ECU issue in Queensland so to make sure we don’t end up in the same situation we will replace that part more regularly.
“This is my home event, it will be an advantage in the fact that I get to go home and sleep in my own bed. On the flipside of the coin there is also more pressure to do well in front of friends and family.”
Troy Herfoss has spent the last 12 months contesting the IDM German Superbike Championship.
The dual round will also see the return of 2010 Australian Supersport Champion Troy Herfoss to the series.
Herfoss, who will pilot a WNR Kawasaki ZX-6R in the Motul Supersport class has confirmed he will also be on the grid for the Moto GP support races ahead of a full season in 2014.
The AMA Supermoto Champion and X-Games silver medalist said he was looking forward to making a return to the QBE Australian Superbike Championship with WNR Kawasaki.
“I am really looking forward to riding for WNR Kawasaki next weekend,” Herfoss said. “We have the same goals and we are currently working on plan for 2014 that will include the addition of a junior rider.
“You don’t race at this level just to fill the grid. I’m racing because I believe I can win. Obviously we have to see what both mine and the bike’s level is, but I am not going into the weekend to make up the numbers.”
The New South Welshman, won eight races on his way to taking the 2010 title and finished third in the Australian Superbike class in 2011.
Rounds 4 and 5 of the QBE Australian Superbike Championship will be held at Sydney Motorsport Park on August 1-4.
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