Anglo-Aussie team to race at 2014 PI World Supersport round
The Gloucester-based team will be running Graeme Gowland and Australia's Billy McConnell on factory-supported Triumph Daytona 675Rs as part of their preparation to win back the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship they relinquished last year.
Smiths Triumph Racing Team has used Supersport World Championship wildcard outings to gain an advantage in BSS, contesting world rounds at Donington Park and Silverstone in the past.
Gowland replaces another Aussie, Glen Richards, who retired at the end of last season after delivering the British Supersport Championship to Smiths in 2012. That season, Richards's efforts in the wildcard entries at the Donington WSS round resulted in a fifth, whilst McConnell took a superb ninth. At the same Donington Park race in 2013, Richards claimed an amazing third slot on the grid and came home ninth in the race.
Billy McConnell: "We've been thinking about doing the Phillip Island race for a while and now it's all come together really quickly. I'm pumped to be racing at home but it'll be tough without the traction control.
"I've ridden in WSS on the Triumph so I know what to expect so I'll just have to hang it out a bit when the tyre goes and hope for the best. I'm deadly serious about winning the British Championship this year and this is an ideal way to start our preparations."
Graeme Gowland: "This is a brilliant opportunity to get an early race under our belts and for me to familiarise myself with the Triumph 675R and the Smiths Racing Team. It will also give us a head start on our rivals so that means we will hopefully have an advantage come Brands Hatch.
"We have a test at Phillip Island the week before which will help and I've raced there before too. I love the track and whilst it will be tough, I'm really looking forward to it and hope we can score some good points."
The opening round of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship runs from 21-23 of February at Phillip Island. For ticketing and further details, go to www.worldsbk.com.au.
