Troy’s four-wheel future
Troy Bayliss would not say whether he was a Ford or Holden fan, but V8 Supercar spectators may find out next season.
Bayliss has previously declared his interest in V8s and hinted last week it could be an option, but the topic was off the agenda during his final world superbikes outing at Phillip Island at the weekend.
A reportedly impressive test-drive in an Aston Martin sports car in Europe earlier this year has only fuelled the speculation.
Bayliss, 38, has announced he will leave superbikes at season’s end, but is adamant his racing days are not over.
“I don’t think I’m finished with racing. All I know is I’ve had enough of racing world superbikes,” he said yesterday.
“I love touring cars . . . I’d rather watch touring car races than any other racing. It’s close and it’s full-on, just like superbikes.”
Bayliss, plans to base his family on the Gold Coast from next year, and he has the cash and talent to be competitive either as a driver or by buying a Supercar team.
“I’m still going to be involved in motor sport in some shape or form,” he said.
“I’m not sure what exactly, but it won’t involve too much travel.”
It was the constant travel, rather than age or injuries, that triggered his decision to retire.
“I’m over planes,” he said. “The travel, the time away from family . . . I’ve had enough of all that.”
“That said, I’m still going to work with Ducati and I’ll probably go to four or five events a year.”
“The difference is it will be as it suits both of us.”
Bayliss’s Phillip Island win has given him a 27-point championship lead over Spaniard Fonsi Nieto (61 points).
Championship officials will review the Ducati 1098’s performance after the next round — and the team could be handicapped if it has too much of an advantage over the 1000cc Japanese bikes.