Bayliss to make V8 Supercar race debut.

Triple World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss will make his V8 Supercar race debut at Phillip Island on September 11-13, before tackling the world famous Bathurst 1000 on October 8-11.

The Australian superstar will drive alongside Dean Fiore in a Paul Morris Motorsports prepared Triple F Racing Commodore at the two endurance events.

Bayliss retired from two-wheeled racing after clinching the 2008 WSBK crown and has since made a successful transition to V8 racing through a series of tests.

The former MotoGP race winner had his first taste of V8 Supercars back in June when he tested Craig Lowndes' TeamVodafone V8 Supercar at Queensland Raceway - setting a time that was just 0.3sec off Lowndes' fastest lap of the day.

Since then Bayliss has explored his options with a number of V8 Supercar teams, including Paul Morris Motorsports and Kelly Racing, before accepting an invitation to race alongside Fiore.

"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.

"I know the Phillip Island track quite well, I have had a lot of success there on a bike but it's going to be different when I go there next month in a V8 Supercar. I have watched Bathurst on the couch since I was a kid, I can't believe I am actually going to be there driving the mountain."

Fiore, who is also contesting his first full season behind the wheel of a V8 Supercar, said he was looking forward to racing with Bayliss.

"To race alongside Troy is an absolute honour," Fiore said, "While he is fairly green to the world of V8 Supercar Racing, the way conducts himself with such professionalism is certainly something which I draw on and learn from.

"Troy has achieved so much throughout his career and in a short time he is showing signs that he will be a great co-driver."

To help familiarise himself with the 600+hp car and his new team, Bayliss made his official V8 Supercar debut in Friday's 35 minute opening practice session at this weekend's Queensland Raceway round.

Bayliss finished the session with a best lap of 1min 14.2867sec, placing him 26th out of the 27 drivers and 2.823sec behind fastest man Warren Luff.

"The day was another learning experience," Bayliss said. "I was out there with a lot of the guys from the main game and received a few touch ups to officially welcome me to the series.

"I would love to be able to stay out there all day but being here was just a chance to do a few laps and to let people know that I'm here and will be competing at Phillip Island and Bathurst.

"Overall, I think I need to spend a little bit more time in the car as each lap I did I got better and better and I feel as though I'm getting a good handle of everything - I just can't wait to get out there for my first race."

The 40-year-old will be an interested spectator for the remainder of the Queensland Raceway weekend, working alongside Fiore and the team to prepare himself for the L&H 500 at Phillip Island.