Curtain gets Supersport wildcard ride for Phillip Island

The 46-year-old from Lake Macquarie will join fellow wildcard Josh Hook (Honda), 2012 national supersport champion Mitchell Carr (Triumph) and new signing to PTR Honda Matt Davies at the February 22-24 event. Carr and Davies will contest the whole World Supersport season.

Curtain's one-off World Supersport will be on his local distributor-backed Yamaha. Formerly one of World Supersport's biggest names, Curtain's last full campaign was in 2006. The veteran's Phillip Island record is pretty impressive, though: one victory (2001) and three second places (2004-2006).

Curtain's arm wrestle with fellow Aussie Josh Brookes in 2004 still ranks as one of the greatest Phillip Island races in history, with Brookes just getting home in a thriller.

"I am really looking forward to racing at Phillip Island, as it's like I'm starting all over again," said Curtain, who twice finished championship runner-up in 2005 and 2006. "I have some really happy memories of my time in the championship, and I hope I can add to that on February 24."

Curtain, dominated the local Formula Xtreme series in recent years, winning the last two championships, but wasn't harbouring ambitions to make a World Supersport return until his local Yamaha team made an approach.

"Yamaha asked me and I was like 'Stuff it, why not'. The team has been building a world supersport-spec YZF-R6 for about a year now and all the boys were keen to make it happen, so here we are."

"It's hard to tell how strong the field is going to be this year, but I do know the Aussies will be very competitive on their home turf, and obviously riders like Foret and Sofuoglu will be up there.

"My goal is simple: to get on the podium, and I don't care whether that's first, second or third. I know what it takes to circulate at the front, and I will be doing all I can to make it happen.

"And with the recent resurface, times are going to be very fast - but as always tyre selection will be critical on the high-speed layout."

Tickets for Phillip Island are available at www.worldsbk.com.au or call the ticket hotline on 1300 728 007.