JERSEY biker Nick Allison aims to equal or better his track record at this year’s International Trans Pacific Trophy test in Australia – where he finished up as top UK points scorer in 2007.
Nick has again been called up to the UK’s 15-strong representative squad who will race teams from New Zealand and Australia at the Phillip Island GP circuit later this month. In 2007 he collected two fifth-place finishes, as well as a ninth and a 15th place finish in his four races, helping the UK team to second place.
He said: ‘This is a big event for me, and this year we are aiming to win, although we are aware that we will be up against some very strong teams. In 2007 I managed to finish as top UK points scorer and I am certainly looking to improve this time – I want to try and get into the top three this year.
‘I have been focused on this trip for a while now. The circuit is very physically demanding, and last time temperatures reached 38°C, so you need to be able to withstand riding in the heat. I’ve been doing a lot of circuit training and squash and spending a lot of time in the gym as part of my preparations.’
Nick will be riding an ex-factory 1,260cc Moriwaki Kawasaki, which is owned by Yorkshire collector and racer Graham Salter. He has only tested the bike once before, at Spa in Belgium, although he raced it last year at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire, where he had a class win. He said: ‘The bike will take a bit of getting used to, as there have been a few more modifications done to it, but I should have enough time to test it so I’m not worried at all.’
Nick. who is being sponsored by X-Mile fuel, is confident of his own abilities and the strength of the team and is hopeful that the UK can push reigning champions Australia all the way. However, Australia has been known to field many of the world’s top riders, and this year Allison may find himself up against the likes of ex World 500cc motorcycle champion Wayne Gardner and twice World Superbike Champion Rob Phillis.
He said: ‘I’ve seen Australia’s team list and they have entered some very useful riders. There is no doubt that this is going to be a tough event, but we will be aiming to do the very best we can. I do think we are capable of winning it.’ He flies to Australia on Sunday and will be in action on 23 and 24 January.
