With only days until the next instalment of the 2016 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli, Western Australian local and Motul Supersport competitor Sam Clarke is preparing to converge on Barbagallo Raceway for round four on 3-5 June.

Clarke’s speed on the track is undeniable against a tightly-packed Motul Supersport field, with only six points separating him in second place from the championship points leader with three rounds of racing to go.

The Western Australian is working fulltime to support his dream and while it is hard at work, his focus is on racing. Clarke shared his thoughts and expectations, whilst in preparation to defend his home turf this weekend at round four.

Image: Keith Muir.

“Every round I have felt as though I have had a target on my back and now for the Supersport competitors to come to my home track to compete, the target is even bigger,” Clarke said.

“My expectations for myself are high, I am fast around my home track, but I have never raced any of these boys around Barbagallo before – they could pull something out the bag and surprise everyone.

“I like the fact they are coming to my home track because I think at the end of the day they are going to make me a better rider because they are going to make me push even harder this round in front of my home crowd.”

Clarke also spoke about his surprise performance so far this season, competing for the first time in the national series on a 600cc Supersport machine and proving his potential in the class from the first round with impressive results.

“I am surprised by how well I have done so far this season,” he continued. “I think the biggest thing that is helping me to get good results is the fact that I am enjoying racing this year. The fact that I am not just riding at Barbagallo all the time now and I get to experience new tracks along with other competitive riders, is why I think I am enjoying it so much more this year.

Image: Keith Muir.

“This year when we go racing I have time off work, I am a lot more relaxed over the race weekend, and just being able to enjoy the sport makes such a difference to my riding.”

Like any young motorcycle racer, the goal is to win, but level-headed Clarke has his eyes firmly set on taking this year one step at a time. A career in motorcycle racing isn’t out of the question for this Kawasaki-mounted racer.

“I want this to be a career for me, I don’t want to work six days a week in the mud every day!” Clarke added. “I am hoping that I can get something out of it. My plans are to focus and take it one step at a time – we don’t want to get too cocky so we are just enjoying every moment.

“Hopefully this year we can win the Australian title and then from there we’re not sure. I am hoping to maybe have the opportunity to head overseas, but I want to be dominant in Australia and know that I am at my peak in Australia before I head overseas.”