Matt Davies during his brief World Supersport stint in 2013.

Matt Davies has been awarded the 2013 Kirk McCarthy Memorial Award, setting the platform for an Australian Superbike Championship assault next season.

After five seasons in Europe, including a stint in the World Supersport Championship this year, the 17-year-old will return home in 2014.

“You can’t get that type of support in motorcycle racing anywhere else in Australia, that’s for sure,” he commented. “Winning the award is going to help me to achieve what I want to achieve.

“The last five years have been a steep learning curve overseas and I have learned a lot from it. I’m really looking forward to racing here and am enjoying my time at home again.”

The award is in honour of Kirk McCarthy, who passed away in 2004 following a distinguished national and international racing career which included stints in both the 500cc GP and Superbike World Championships, as well as being crowned Australian Superbike Champion in 1995.

Each year, one rider is selected to receive the award, so he or she is able to contest the following year’s Australian Superbike Championship.

In addition to the financial assistance the McCarthy Family provides, Suzuki Australia, Monza Imports, Dunlop, Bandit Tyre Warmers, Marty Craggill, Scott Williams, Darred Motors Body Work, and Motorcycling Australia contribute to the award.

Davies was also chosen by Motorcycling Australia to attend the Australian Institute of Sports, Elite Rider Training Camp in Canberra two weeks ago where Australia’s top riding talent have the opportunity to learn what it takes to become an elite athlete.

“The camp showed me how much effort, dedication and time you’ve got to put in if you want to be the best,” Davies added.

“Having world champions like Troy Bayliss and Jason Crump and blokes like Paul Caslick there was great too. Learning from their past experiences definitely helped for sure.”

In keeping with a hectic schedule for 2014, Davies has also applied for a wildcard entry into the Superbike World Championship round at Phillip Island on 21-23 February.