Image: Keith Muir.

Crankt Protein Honda Racing’s Troy Herfoss will require a top point-scoring round at this weekend’s Morgan Park round of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli if he’s to factor in Winton’s title-decider.

Herfoss is currently 18 points in arrears of series leader Wayne Maxwell with two rounds remaining, while Maxwell’s Yamaha teammate Glenn Allerton stands between them, 13 markers above Herfoss.

Victory on Sunday will be vital in Herfoss’ title quest for 2016, coming off the hard-fought Australasian championship win last year. A premier class ASBK title is all that evades him in what’s been a stellar cross-discipline domestic career to date.

After setting the timed pace in the two-day ASBK test at Warwick’s Morgan Park Raceway in July, Herfoss will enter Friday’s opening practice sessions with momentum on his side aboard the CBR1000RR SP.

“I’m really looking forward to this weekend’s round at Morgan Park, it’s been a while between races so we’re all eager to get back out there,” Herfoss said. “It’s been really tough at the past two rounds of the ASBK, but our test at Morgan Park a few weeks back went well and we were able to close the gap on the front guys a little bit, which is very positive. I’m really impressed with the work that the team has been doing on the bike and I hope we can keep our pace high at Morgan Park and claw back a few points.”

Morgan Park on 5-7 August marks round five of six in the 2016 ASBK championship chase, with position in the standings paramount prior to Winton Motor Raceway’s final round in Victoria from 30 September-2 October.