I am sad to say I will not be going back overseas in 2013. For 8 years now I have devoted my life to racing professionally, I feel blessed to have raced in different motorcycling disciplines all around the world and have been able to meet a lot of great people. I have my reasons and they are my own, I’m not saying it’s the way it is but they are my reasons. Whether I have what it takes or not I believe that talent, hard work and dedication is well and truly overshadowed by money at the moment and although I don’t respect that, I accept it… It’s just not why I race a bike.

I am not doing this because I have been forced to, I have a contract in front of me as I write this letter. The enjoyment I get from racing hasn’t changed, I love everything about it from winning a National championship down to trail riding with my dad, the problem is winning is no longer enough. Gone are the days that you win your National championship and have options to move on.

I’m looking forward to being around the race tracks, maybe help riders further there goals and I’m sure not counting out racing in Australia, The difference is I will do what I enjoy and not what I think may further my career.

I want to say a huge thank you to the people who have helped and supported me. I’m not going to stop racing all together I’m just shifting my focus to other things.

Troy

My first podium in IDM Superbike was really cool, after my worst qualifying of the year in 8^th I got a reasonable start and felt comfortable on the bike. I was able to lead half the race and made a move in the final turn for the win but it just wasn’t to be this time. It shows what the team is capable of with a little luck.

Our last outing at the Red Bull Ring in Austria we weren’t so lucky! It was the worst of the year with a bad race 1 and a Dnf in race 2 it basically cemented the fact that our championship hunt has slipped away.

Now it’s important to finish the year positively to ensure there is a possibility for me to stay in Europe for 2013. Speaking of 2013, It’s interesting to see the way riders approach teams over here. In Australia it seemed to be top secret, even frowned upon to talk to a rival team. So far I have noticed it’s completely fine for a rider or a team to explore what options are available although its only July, It’s the time of year where if I want a ride I have to be getting it sorted now. Hopefully I can find something that will help me enter the World Superbike paddock a.s.a.p.!

The trip to Austria was another interesting one, we took our car this time as the camper was going to Assen MotoGP weekend. Our car is a Peugeot 107…about the next smallest car from the smart car. It had all of our bags, two racing suits, helmets and also my bicycle. The Red Bull Ring is in the mountains so we were gradually going up hill all of the way. I was on the gear shifter more than James Stewart riding a 125 two-stroke around Southwick sand motocross track. It was good practice slipstreaming on the autobahn, I was able to get up to 170 behind a big car but when I would pull out to over take we would drop back to 150.

Away from the track Luce and I have been enjoying the first sign of summer weather we have had in Emmen, we even went to the lake for a swim which was a nice change. We finally got TV in our little home, it was funny that one of the first programs we saw was “The best and worst of Holland”. Interestingly Emmen (the town we live in) was voted the most boring place in all of Holland.

The countdown is on for the arrival of my parents and sister, they’ll get in just before the next round at Assen. After the race we will head to Norway for a week with some of my family before we all head to another race together. It will be great to catch up but I must admit travelling with Dad can sometimes be well, “an adventure”. I don’t think he believes in using GPS as navigation so its all done the old fashion way. Basically what I’m saying is we will get lost! Sorry Dad.

This weekend we are off to Oscherleben for a round of Dutch Superbike, we have been doing rounds of this championship when ever possible and so far I have been undefeated in all three races I’ve competed in. It’s great for the team to do the Dutch races as it gives us extra testing and also involves the team charity “Happy Smile”. Happy Smile supports kids with cancer, they give the children and their families a weekend away. They get a first hand look at what happens inside a race team. At the end of the weekend they hopefully get to hold the winners trophy.

#17