Source: Supplied.

Australian wildcards Josh Brookes and Anthony West have both turned to crowdfunding in a bid to boost their wildcard budgets for next weekend’s opening round of the 2017 Motul Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island.

Brookes has been reunited with the very YZF-R1 that he captured the 2015 British Superbike Championship aboard, eager to display his capabilities on the world stage after a difficult season with Milwaukee BMW last year.

He’s up against it though as test time for Brookes has been limited. Since his faithful Yamaha arrived in Australia two weeks ago, he’s completed two shakedown sessions in Sydney – one a wasted day in the seething 43-degree heat – with his next step Phillip Island for the final WorldSBK pre-season test on 20-21 February ahead of the season-opener.

“I’m a motorbike rider and I want to win, but realistically a top five would be a great result at Phillip Island next week,” said Brookes. “Last year I got a top 10 with a bike I was not happy on, so using that as a baseline, a gauge, I can surely go better on a bike I am super-comfortable with and one which has taken me to a championship win.”

Brookes has always been lightning fast around Phillip Island, winning numerous domestic races in the nougties as well as the 2004 World Supersport round as a wildcard. To get to the start line has been a huge project.

With its base budget of $100,000 already spent, ER Motorsports’ Brookes is seeking a shortfall of $30,000 and has set up a GoFundMe account in search of the additional money required.

“The simple truth is, building a race team from scratch, sourcing all the parts, preparing the bike and with Australia being the furthest and most difficult place to import the bike to, freight has been a major factor that has overshot the budget,” said Brookes.

“I have invested as much as I can into this and I’m super-lucky to have some sponsorship from amazing companies such as Elite Roads, Milspec Services, Cleaningshop.com.au, AluminiumOnline & Mr Leaf Screener and Mudbuster.

“But at this point we have already spent our budget of $100,000 and still have a shortfall of $30,000 to raise before the event. I know I have some amazing supporters out there and with 65,000 people following me on Twitter, I’m hoping if just half of those could give $1.00 to this project we can cover the overflow of expenses.”

Same goes for experienced Queensland international Anthony West, who starred one year ago on his way to finishing third in the Supersport World Championship (WorldSSP) opener at Phillip Island. He’s targeting $20,000 via a GoFundMe account of his own to assist him aboard the Green Tea X50-backed Yamaha YZF-R6 this time around.

“I have always been competitive as a racer, but without the right budget its hard to be competitive and win races,” West said. “Even after so many years my drive and passion is still just as strong as it has ever been, that’s why I’m here in the hope’s to raise the budget I need to finally go racing on a competitive bike and win races like I know I can.

“Any support big or small would be a huge help and I can guarantee the money will be used to give it my best racing. I will and always have used my last dollar and last breath to keep pushing and keep racing!”

To purchase WorldSBK tickets for Phillip Island, visit www.worldsbk.com.au. A three-day general admission pass is $120, saving $35 on the gate price. Adult single-day tickets start at $30 for Friday, $65 for Saturday and $80 for Sunday, purchased in advance. Children 15 and under get in for free.