Anthony West made his return to the Australian racing scene last weekend at round 2 of the Australian Superbike Championship (ASNK) at Wakefield Park, NSW.
West, who was filling in for the inured Jamie Stauffer on the Crankt Protein Honda Racing team had not had an ASBK outing since 1998.
West finished second for the weekend behind team-mate Troy Herfoss.
The Moto2 regular was happy at the conclusion of the round, sharing that the ASBK Superbike class is more competitive than he first anticipated.
‰ÛÏI jumped straight on this bike and to be honest I‰Ûªm pretty happy with what we achieved this weekend," West said.
"I‰Ûªve never raced a Honda before, so it‰Ûªs been a challenge getting comfortable on the bike and really we haven‰Ûªt had a lot of time to get the bike set up for me.
"I still didn‰Ûªt feel 100 per cent during the race and I still think there‰Ûªs a lot more that we can get out of the bike, and also a lot more that we can get out of myself. I‰Ûªve had fun though, and I‰Ûªd definitely consider racing at the ASBK again.
"I‰Ûªve never really thought about racing in Australia, but after racing here I‰Ûªve realised it is competitive, and it‰Ûªs not an easy championship ‰ÛÒ these top guys are fast.
"Wakefield Park is a track that I‰Ûªm not used to, it‰Ûªs tight and bumpy and it‰Ûªs a lot different to what I‰Ûªm used to riding, so I‰Ûªd love the opportunity to come back and see what I can do on a different circuit," West concluded.
Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team Manager Paul Free shared that he couldn‰Ûªt be happier after both Herfoss and West finishing on the podium at Wakefield Park.
‰ÛÏFor any team, this really is a fairy tale result, and on behalf of the Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team, a big congratulations to both Troy and Anthony," Free said.
"We knew that Troy would be fast here, but to set a new lap record and take the round two win, it really is a great result for the entire team. Anthony was asked to step in at the last minute, and he has proven today that we made the right choice. To finish with both boys in the two top spots on the podium, we really couldn‰Ûªt be happier," he concluded.
The Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team will now begin preparation for Round three of the ASBK, being held at Sydney Motorsport Park on April 16 ‰ÛÒ 17.
Main Photo: West follows team mate Troy Herfoss at Wakefield Park
