Eden’s Kim Herfoss is a very proud aunty after her nephew Troy Herfoss launched his own motorbike racing team this week.
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The Goulburn based rider will take part in the Australian Swann Australasian Superbike Championship as Troy Herfoss Racing after signing a deal with a manufacturer, but said he was “unable to announce who just yet”.
Troy said he had a “bit of heritage in Eden” with both his nan and pop “from opposite sides of the family” living in the area, as well as his aunty who had all been supporting his riding.
“They support me a lot – they love the bikes,” Troy said.
Homegrown support has come out of the woodwork to get Troy’s team off the ground.
“It’s going to be a Goulburn based team.
“They are local guys helping me out.
“We are just looking at taking on the factory teams,” he said.
Troy said he was ecstatic to be running his own team after differences had caused dilemmas earlier in his career.
After competing overseas in the German IDM Superbike Championship and taking part in a few rounds of the British Championship Troy said he was happy to return home after things had turned sour.
“I didn’t like the way I was treated and I was keen to come home to Australia.
“I’m Australian and I love where I come from.”
Following the falling out with his team Troy retired from road racing for a year, but is now better than ever and roaring to hit the track.
“I haven’t ridden the bike in more than a year.
“I’m having my first ride today at Wakefield Park, which is my home track,” he said.
Troy said the practice run would be a boost in more way than one.
“That’s where the first round is so it’s a bonus.
“It’s been a bit hard previously because the manufacturers were split over two series.
“This is the first year all the manufacturers have combined since 2009.
“I’m motivated to try and challenge the factory teams as a privateer.”
Troy said this will be his first crack at an Australian series title after tasting success in a variety of events around the world incluing a silver medal at the X-Games.
“I haven’t raced a superbike series in Australia and I think it will be the most competitives series you will see.
“It’s pretty exciting.”
Troy also recently competed in the Troy Bayliss Classic dirt track event where he finished second overall to the three-time Superbike World champion Bayliss.
“I was really motivated to see I could ride the bike at a high level,” Troy said.
“It helped me to get the extra support to cross the line [towards the team].”
Troy said the shift to creating his own team had given him a new lease on racing.
“I’m really happy to be doing it, it’s a different mentality running my own team.
“I’m doing it because I want to do it, I’ve missed it after having a year off.”
Troy said the first two rounds of the series would be held at Wakefield Park on March 15 and 16 and urged anyone interested to head along.
“It’s not very often you get a round this close to home, it’s only 3.5 hours from Eden.
“If people want to come along it’s a good chance to see what it’s all about,” he said.