Wildcards named for Aussie WSBK

The line-up of local wildcard riders has been announced for the Australian 'Yamaha Finance' round of the 2018 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, due to be held at Victoria's Phillip Island circuit over February 23-25.

South Australian Daniel Falzon and New South Welshman Troy Herfoss (pictured, below) have each been granted wild card status for the Superbike category, while Wollongong's Wayne Maxwell has been awarded a special 'one-event entry' in the same class by international racing bodies Dorna and the FIM.

In the World Supersport category, Goulburn teenage sensation, 17-year-old Tom Toparis (pictured, below), will race against the world’s best alongside seasoned Aussie campaigners, Anthony West and Lachlan Epis.

After recently signing a factory deal with Yamaha Racing Team in the ASBK Championship, 23-year-old Falzon said competing in World Superbike as a wildcard represented the realisation of a dream. The two-time Australian Supersport Champion recently recorded his best-ever result in the Australian Superbike class with a fourth-place finish as a privateer Yamaha rider.

"Of course, it's always been a dream of mine to compete on the world stage and any experience we can gather from this opportunity will be valuable as we contest the 2018 ASBK season," said Falzon.

"I'm very accustomed to the Yamaha YZF-R1 package after racing it for several seasons and the bike we are racing as a WSBK wildcard will be very similar to what we'll be riding in ASBK."

The 2016 Australian Superbike Champion, Troy Herfoss, came devastatingly close to clenching back-to- back titles with the Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team in 2017, but a mechanical retirement at the final round at Phillip Island had Herfoss finish third overall. He has gained a reputation as one of Australia's fittest and most determined riders.

The 30-year-old has recorded achievements such as Australian Supermoto Champion, multiple AMA Supermoto Champion, Australian Supersport Champion, two-time Australian Superbike Champion and is also a bicycle riding enthusiast, regularly competing in national cycling tours.

He says he's now eager to compete against some of the world's elite riders in WSBK.

"Riding in the Superbike World Championship is without a doubt what I have been striving for, and I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead," said Herfoss.

"Everyone within the team is really excited about the possibilities ahead and hopefully we can be somewhere in the mix for a positive result. The World Superbike field is full of world-class riders but it will be a great opportunity to show what we are capable of."

The young gun from Goulburn, Tom Toparis, says he's ready for the challenge of his WSS debut. Seventeen-year-old Toparis made a wildcard appearance in the Moto3 class in last year's Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and came third in the Australian Supersport class last year.

'Torpedo' Toparis will be riding an upgraded version of the Kawasaki ZX-6R that he rides in the ASBK.

"After the team and I did the Moto3 wildcard last year in October, we thought we would give the World Supersport wildcard a go," Toparis said.

"World Supersport is of course a lot different to Moto3. It's much closer in terms of Australian Supersport compared to Moto3 or Moto2, so we should have a better understanding on how everything works.

"Just being on track with the WSBK guys, who are all circulating faster, is going to be great for me as a whole. Hopefully I can gain some experience and learn from them and be able to apply that experience in the ASBK for the 2018 season."

Maxwell won the ASBK title in 2013 and has been a fixture of the Yamaha Racing Team ever since. The 'Wayne Train' came second in last year's Australian Superbike Championship. Joining his teammate Falzon on a YZF-R1 for 2018, he says he can't wait to get amongst it in the WSBK field.

"The opportunity to represent Yamaha Racing Team amongst the WSBK field is a great boost for us," said Maxwell.

"The team has always wanted to become involved in WSBK and now that opportunity has become a reality.

"I cannot thank Yamaha Racing Team and all my sponsors enough for the opportunity. I've been training hard over the off-season and hopefully we can secure a positive result at Phillip Island in both WSBK and ASBK – it's going to be a busy weekend!"

Three-day general admission passes with free paddock access are priced at $120 and available at www.ticketek.com.au. Kids under 15 are in for free (when accompanied by a paying adult), as is entry for your motorcycle. For a step up, purchase a Bar SBK pass at $260 and gain access to three undercover facilities, or go for a VIP option in the fully catered suites above pit lane.

All ticket prices quoted purchased in advance and subject to a Ticketek processing fee. Book now and save on gate prices. For more information visit www.worldsbk.com.au or call the Superbike Hotline on 1300 728 007.