Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

After claiming second overall in a guest ride with Crankt Protein Honda Racing at last weekend’s Wakefield Park round of the 2016 YMF Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli, Ant West will revert to Supersport for upcoming races.

West, 34, seamlessly adapted to the premier class of the ASBK on board the title-winning CBR1000RR SP, finishing 2-2 in the pair of races on Sunday for second overall behind teammate Troy Herfoss.

“I jumped straight on this bike and to be honest I’m pretty happy with what we achieved this weekend,” West commented. “I’ve never raced a Honda before, so it’s been a challenge getting comfortable on the bike and really we haven’t had a lot of time to get the bike set-up for me.

“I still didn’t feel 100 percent during the race and I still think there’s a lot more that we can get out of the bike and also a lot more that we can get out of myself. I’ve had fun though and I’d definitely consider racing at the ASBK again.

“I’ve never really thought about racing in Australia, but after racing here I’ve realised it is competitive and it’s not an easy championship – these top guys are fast. Wakefield Park is a track that I’m not used to, it’s tight and bumpy and it’s a lot different to what I’m used to riding, so I’d love the opportunity to come back and see what I can do on a different circuit.”

West travelled directly to Malaysia on Monday for this weekend’s opening round of the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) at Johor, before turning his attention to Assen’s World Supersport round on 15-17 April in the Netherlands, where he’ll field his own privateer wildcard using money raised via crowd funding.

“Got some good news,” West wrote to his fans via social media. “Dorna has just approved my start permission to be able to race the fourth round of the World super sport in Assen, Holland on 17th of April, so I’m now committed to racing it. I have paid the entry and tyre fee.

“I’m renting very good Yamaha R6 bikes from Germany and a race team from Holland is lending me their race truck to sleep in at the track to save on hotels and to transport the bikes. I have two, maybe three mechanics organised, and waiting for a answer from a suspension technician.

“The next step is get the bodywork painted, organise fuel/parts/flights/food and what ever else it takes to run a race team. It’s my first attempt of controlling my own team, so let’s hope I get it right.

“So this is where all that GoFundMe money is going – I’m doing it right and getting a bike I know can win but on a tight budget. I still really need help from you, the fans. We are almost there with the money, just needs a little more of a push.”