Source: Troy Bayliss Classic.

Triple Superbike World Champion Troy Bayliss is expecting international guests competing at this weekend’s Motul Pirelli Troy Bayliss Classic to feature right at the front of the field come Saturday in Taree.

This weekend will see some of flat track racing’s finest foreigners debut at the hotly anticipated Bayliss Classic, amongst a host of quality Australian campaigners from a variety of disciplines.

American guests Sammy Halbert (pictured) and Henry Wiles today made their first appearance on the Old Bar oil-based track, alongside fellow internationals, Japanese ace Masatoshi Ohmari and former Motocross World Champion Shayne King.

“I was very impressed with the international riders,” Bayliss commented. “As I expected the guys were on the pace within a few laps. Everything has come together so it should be a fantastic day for everyone attending.”

2009 AMA Pro Grand National Champion and 2011 AMA Pro Grand National Singles Champion Halbert, riding a modified Yamaha YZ450F, quickly adapted to the circuit and looks forward to when the gates drop this weekend.

“The track is a lot of fun, we are still getting the set-up figured out,” Halbert explained. “The track was slick today and a little messy but come Saturday it will be consistent, which is nice. I feel comfortable already and expect to be up the front.

“A highlight for me is getting to meet all the famous road racers.”

Two-time AMA Pro Grand National Singles Champion Wiles was also straight up to speed riding a Kawasaki KX450F, enjoying the atmosphere amongst world class racers.

“It seems like a good fun track,” Wiles said. “It was a little slippery at the start, like riding on ice, but then after a few laps I got a great line and it was a lot of fun – its going to be great racing and the track will get faster.

“I’m having an amazing time in Australia. To race with guys like Chris Vermeulen and Troy Bayliss is a highlight.”

The event is slated to feature a who’s who of Australian road racing, including Bayliss, Karl Muggeridge, Chris Vermeulen, Robbie Phillis, Jack Miller, Cam Donald, Gary McCoy, Damian Cudlin, Alex Cudlin, Troy Herfoss, Jamie Stauffer, Shawn Giles, Wayne Maxwell, Josh Hook, Josh Waters and more.

Online Tickets can be purchased right up until 7:00pm on Friday, 17 January via this link. For more information about the event visit www.troybaylissevents.com.