Features 17 Jun 2014

Unplugged: Troy Herfoss

Talented Aussie champ talks racing and life away from the track.

Image: Keith Muir.

Image: Keith Muir.

My Way

Greatest moment of your career?

It would have to be winning the Australian Supersport Championship for Suzuki. It was the first time for Phil [Tainton] and his team with the 600. And it was also only my second year racing, so that was a special moment. The goal was to learn in the first year and win in the second – Phil and I both expected that. We worked hard and achieved it and at the same time it was a really fun year.

Toughest race ever?

There’s different kinds of tough. I had a go at the Phillip Island Six Hour, and the Eight Hour, which were tough in their own right, both mentally draining and physically also. Racing at Tasmania on my first year on the Superbike does come to mind. When I was getting close to the lead I was just battling so close on a tight track, which was super tough. It’s hard because you have all that horsepower, on such a small track. That probably comes to mind the most.

Long-term goal?

To be honest, I don’t really know or what I expect to come of this year, or next year, or the year after that. I just knew I missed racing a lot, and I just wanted to be a part of it and compete. I knew I could compete at a high level. I want to win the Australian championship, that’s my goal, and at the moment it feels like there’s a little bit less pressure as I’m not trying to do it as a career. I’ve got a job so what happens on Sunday doesn’t matter as much, financially, I guess. I’m there because I want to do it and I want to win.

Favourite track?


Here in Australia I’ve always loved Eastern Creek. Overseas I got to race on some amazing tracks. Assen was such a nice track to ride on, really fast, and a little bit like Phillip Island in terms of that flowing speed. So I’d probably pick Assen as the overall, with Eastern Creek close behind.

If you weren’t a racer, you would be?

My dad’s been in the construction game all his life and owns a bunch of machines. I actually did that for a few years before I went away to race Supermoto, and now I’m back with dad again, pretty much since 2012 when I got back from Europe.

Arch-rival?

I’ve never really had a big rival. I’ve never really spent enough time in the one class to build a big rivalry. I can’t really think of one. When I first started racing Supermoto, in the Australian championship, I felt a lot of pressure from Shannon Johnson and Glenn Allerton. I was pretty young then, and looking back on it they probably wouldn’t see it as a rivalry. But I was the first year of seniors and I just wanted to beat them every time I raced them. Each year you have different guys you want to beat. Obviously this year I’m here in a very competitive team, so naturally I have three teammates who are also effectively rivals in a sense.

Greatest inspiration?


Growing up I followed Mick Doohan a lot, and then later, on Troy Bayliss on the Superbike. Probably moreso Bayliss, later on in my career, because the Superbike championship was a real championship, with real bikes that you could go and buy, and seemed more doable to the average person.

Superstitions?


Yeah I always put my left glove on first. And I always touch wood twice, and touch my head twice. I always do it twice, that’s my only real superstition.

Training methods?


I don’t really train specifically around the motorcycle, I just keep generally fit and cycle because I really enjoy. I’ve done a lot of motocross over the years too, which I enjoy. I did a race recently which was a lot of fun.

Off The Wall

Non-bike related hobbies?


Cycling is the main one.

What car do you drive?


A Mazda BT-50.

What’s on the iPod?


It varies. Every year I buy the Triple J Hottest 100 and the Like a Version CDs.

Favourite thing about racing in Australia?

I love the mentality of the Australian riders. They’re all hard workers and all race hard. They get along reasonably well too.

Who will win the World Supers?

I’m going to go with Tom Sykes.

And MotoGP?

You’d have to go with Marquez, but I’m a huge Rossi fan. I’d like to see him win a race by the end of the year.

One or the Other

Longer, faster circuits or shorter, more technical circuits?

The shorter, more technical ones I think.

Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar?

I don’t drink it much. Not that I don’t like it though, I do enjoy a Red Bull.

PC or Mac?

Mac.

McDonalds or KFC?


Maccas.

600 or 1000?

The 1000.

MotoGP or World Superbikes?

It chops and changes. Superbikes is consistently more exciting to watch, though last weekend’s GP was obviously the exception!

Print or digital magazines?

I’ll go with print.

Blonde or brunette?


Blonde.

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