Image: Russell Colvin.

Crankt Protein Honda Racing has named experienced Australian international Anthony West for this weekend’s second round of the 2016 Australian Superbike Championship at Wakefield Park.

Fresh from his heroic third place result in World Supersport at Phillip Island last month, 34-year-old West will stand in for injured team regular Jamie Stauffer alongside home hero Troy Herfoss.

“I only got the call up to race with the Honda guys yesterday, so I’ve jumped on a plane and I’ll be racing at Wakefield Park this weekend,” West said. “I haven’t raced the ASBK since 1998, so I’m excited to have the opportunity to jump on a Honda and race in Australia.

“I don’t really know what to expect this weekend, there’s plenty of guys out there who have a lot of experience at Wakefield, but it’s a good opportunity to get some more races under my belt with a strong team.

“The Crankt Protein Honda Racing team has a competitive bike, and given that I have had no time with the team, that’s one of the main reasons I said yes to the opportunity. It does give you confidence knowing you’re stepping on to a strong team.”

Crankt Protein Honda Racing team owner Paul Free said it was an ideal opportunity to place West on the factory-backed CBR1000RR SP while Stauffer recovers from his unfortunate back fracture. It’s uncertain when Stauffer will return.

“As many people will now know, Jamie crashed whilst preparing for round two of the ASBK, and as a result has fractured his T12 vertebrae which means racing this weekend was just not possible,” Free said.

“Ant West put in an outstanding performance at Phillip Island in the WSBK Supersport category and once we heard he was available this weekend, we thought he would be a good fit for round two.

“With no time to test with Ant, we are just going to do the best we can to get him comfortable on the bike during practice tomorrow and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do on the Crankt Protein Honda CBR1000RR SP.”

West is also scheduled to contest round one of the 2016 Asia Road Racing Championship next weekend at Johor in Malaysia on 1-2 April, hopeful that he will springboard back onto the world stage before the season’s out.