Regarded as the biggest Championship threat amongst riders, Troy Herfoss returns to his home track, Wakefield Park Raceway, this weekend with one mindset, to win the 2020 mi-Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship .
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The three time ASBK Champion will be aboard his new 2020 Penrite Honda Fireblade, which is yet to be fully tested in ASBK race conditions.
However, he has raced the new machine against championship rivals Aiden Wagner and Mike Jones in local Queensland series events and Herfoss said it was impressive.
"I've got a clear indication where I am at, so it's pretty exciting," Herfoss said.
He sits in sixth place, 28 points behind Championship leader Wayne Maxwell, who he considers is the only man to beat on the weekend.
His previous record at Wakefield is impressive with two wins in 2019, a pole position, a win and second place in 2018 and a first and second in 2017.
"I've not considered anything else other than winning the Championship," Herfoss said.
"In 2016 I went into the final four races 18 points down on Wayne and we won the championship by 22 points.
"That was a 40 point swing and we only have 28 points to go on the weekend.
"I'd be mad to consider anything else other than racing for a Championship win.
"Wayne Maxwell is by far the only competition really.
"He dominated the first round, arguable on the best bike at that round.
"People say its my track at Wakefield, but when you look at the past its pretty much I've won the second race every time he's won the first race.
"He's going to a track he is really good at, he has ridden that bike there before and is fast on it.
"He's got the bike, the team, tyres and has a massive points lead and there is no one else to consider.
"For me it's about doing my best to try and stop him."
Herfoss believes having the final at Wakefield Park Raceway is a fitting way to end the year.
"Goulburn deserves a finale as it always puts on good racing and has always been a fun weekend.
"It's a riders track, and you've got to be on your game in all aspects at Wakefield and the best rider generally wins.
"It's physically really hard and impossible to ride a Superbike around Wakefield at 100 per cent all the time, so you've got be fit.
"At Wakefield if you make a mistake you will end up off the track, and then there's the weather.
"It's always different and throwing another curve ball at you.
"It's got everything and a track I really enjoy."
COVID-19 has also changed Herfoss' mindset leading into the big dance.
"My perspective has changed a little over the past few months.
You realise that it's a bit of small family that travels around the country together every year and we all have a lot of things in common and similar interests, so will be great to catch up with likeminded people again.
"It will also be good to get back into that competitive environment again."
Like other riders, Herfoss will miss the fan interaction and strong crowds which usually attend Wakefield Park Raceway.
"Obviously we all understand how the world is at the moment, but when you've got the crowd there it makes a difference.
"It adds a little bit extra pressure and it definitely ways in on the racing on the weekend."
Herfoss said this year wouldn't be possible without his team.
"I'm super appreciative of the chance to race a motorbike, Honda and Penrite and Deon Coote the owner of the team have bent over backyards to make sure I'm on a bike this year.
"We have been really lucky in Queensland between Deon, Penrite ad Honda and all our partners we've been able to develop this bike in Queensland together in a difficult time and I look forward to getting the band back together as I haven't seen a lot of the team for a long time now."
Race fans can catch all the drama and action from the 2020 ASBK Grand Finale via ASBK live streaming, and through ASBK TV partners SBSHD, Fox Sports Australia and Fox Sports Asia on both Saturday and Sunday.
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