Jed Metcher confirmed for Phillip Island 8 Hour

The 21-year-old has just arrived back in Australia to contest the eight-hour event, where he will campaign a 'WNR Kawasaki' ZX-6R in the Supersport class, partnering in-form local rider Glenn Scott and world endurance specialist Alex Cudlin.

Scott showed some serious hustle at Phillip Island two weeks ago when he won the final round of the Australian Supersport Championship, while Cudlin emerged victorious in the Superstock class of the 2010 Endurance World Championship.

"When I heard who my teammates were going to be this weekend I freaked out a little bit," said Metcher, the 2011 European Superstock 600 Champion.
"It's certainly put a lot more pressure on me to perform, especially as I normally ride a Yamaha in Europe. But that's what makes endurance racing such an exciting discipline, and I'm certainly out to prove a point that I can be competitive on any bike."

Metcher's endurance racing experience is limited, but does include the 2010 Bol D'or 24-hour world endurance racing in France, which he described "as an amazing experience".

"The commitment that goes into endurance racing is amazing - they can change front and rear tyres and dump 24 litres of fuel in 15 seconds," continued Metcher. "And they are so fun to ride in too, because it's not just about yourself - you have to gel as a team.
"That's what we are looking at doing this weekend and, who knows, anything could happen. We could even find ourselves challenging for outright honours if we maintain focus and keep it all together."

Metcher's WNR Kawasaki team is managed by someone who knows a thing or two about the complexities of endurance racing - two-time world champion Warwick Nowland. The WNR squad will join twenty four other teams in taking on this year's 8 Hour, which will feature the traditional 'Le Mans' running start, then eight hours of action!

Team Suzuki's Ben Attard, Mitch Carr and Brodie Waters are tipped as the team to beat in the Supersport class, but Metcher and his team mates will no doubt be confident they can take it up to the factory squad. Of course, being an endurance race, anything can happen (and usually does!), with the addition of Superbikes and Superstock 1000s another element of the mix.

The Phillip Island 8 Hour is a three day event, running from Friday, December 2 to Sunday, December 4. Support races, practise and qualifying take place on the Friday and Saturday, with the 8 Hour itself scheduled to start at 9:30AM on Sunday.

General admission prices will be $45 for a three-day pass, or $25 for entry on Sunday only.

For more information on the event, visit www.phillipisland8hour.com.au or ph: (03) 5952 2710.