Motorsport: SBK champ heads to Bathust

Superbike champion Troy Bayliss will switch to four wheels for the Great Race at Bathurst. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Reigning world superbike champion Troy Bayliss will step up his switch to four wheels by making his V8 Supercar debut in this year's endurance events at Phillip Island and Bathurst.

Bayliss, a three-time world superbike champion, will join Dean Fiore in a Paul Morris Motorsports Commodore for the Phillip Island 500 in September and Bathurst 1000 in October.

The 40-year-old has tested with three different V8 teams in recent months, including Team Vodafone at Queensland Raceway in June when he set a lap time that was just three tenths of a second behind Craig Lowndes.

Bayliss, who will take part in Friday's opening practice session at Ipswich ahead of the Queensland 300, has made no secret of his desire to switch to driving a car.

"It has been a long time coming and now the deal has been put together," Bayliss said.

"I am really excited to be making my debut in the V8 Supercar series.

"It's going to be a huge challenge but it is something that I've longed to do for some time.

"It's going to be a massive test for me especially at Bathurst, where my first priority will be to finish and then we'll see where it may lead to for next year."

Bayliss is no stranger to Phillip Island, having had plenty of success there in superbikes, but admitted it would offer a whole new challenge in a car.

He was most excited about taking part in the iconic Bathurst race.

"I have watched Bathurst on the couch since I was a kid," Bayliss said.

"I can't believe I am actually going to be there driving the mountain."

- AAP