MULTIPLE WSB World Champion Troy Bayliss has said he turned down a multi-million dollar deal to race in World Superbikes, choosing a career in Australia's V8 Supercar series instead.
The revelation comes after the current MotoGP World Champion, Valentino Rossi, challenged the Australian to a one-race showdown at Qatar circuit in the opening round of this year's WSB series. Sadly, the race never transpired, mainly due to Bayliss' unwillingness to commit. The three-time WSB champion told the Daily Telegraph:
"I could have stayed with Ducati but I was ready for something different. I am really excited. I view V8 Supercars as the next step in my motorsport career."
"This is not something I am looking at trying once just to experience it, my long-term goal is to compete in select Fujitsu races and shoot for an endurance seat in 2010."
Bayliss plays down his four-wheeled skills by saying:
"I know at nearly 40 I am never going to win the championship, but I am still at peak fitness and if I can adapt well enough to the car then I have the potential to be a good endurance driver."
