Ross Gurd gears up for a good year

BARINGHUP road racer Ross Gurd says 2010 is going to be his year on the track.The 22-year-old road racer, who has spent 15 years competing in motocross, road racing, speedway and enduro, is ready to take on the Australian Superbikes Series as well as the Victorian titles in the Superstock class.Gurd’s first task for 2010 will be on the Phillip Island circuit in the ASBK Support Races from February 26-28.Although he competed in the event last year, he said he was ready to make his mark in the race.“I raced it last year but finished only in the top 25,” he said.“I am aiming to finish in the top four or five this year - and I think I can jldo it.”Gurd has hit the gym this year, using the services of a personal trainer to get his body into the best condition for racing success.“Racing requires a lot of core and leg strength,” Gurd said.“But a lot of it is also mental.”Gurd has set himself several goals for 2010, the most prominent being competing in the full season of the Australian Superstock 600 series.But the challenge of competing in the full series comes at a cost, and although Gurd is receiving sport from tgb sports, Safe Security Systems and ADS Motorcycles in Bendigo, he is in need of sponsorship to achieve his road-racing goals.“To race in Australia costs thousands of dollars,” he said.“I’m really focused for 2010 and have been training pretty hard, so hopefully it will work out.”Gurd has a busy year ahead of him, with the series taking him to Phillip Island as well as races in Queensland and the Northern Territory.Ultimately, Gurd hopes to succeed on the Australian Tour and make his way onto the international circuit.“To be successful and to compete at world-level racing, I’ll have to finish in the top five of the Australian Championships. It’s going to be pretty hard, but I’m pretty focused.”