The Ilowa-based formula 500 driver will battle Australian number one Liam Williams for the Jack Willsher Cup at Allansford’s Premier Speedway on Saturday night.

Willsher, 26, won the prestigious race in 2014-15 before taking a two-year break from the sport.

His good friend Williams, who is based in Queensland, has won the past two.

“Liam is coming down and there’s been banter everyday between us,” he said.

“Liam will be the one to beat. It’s pretty cool, we’re best mates and we talk everyday and get to race each other.”

Willsher made his race return in July, finishing fourth to Williams in the Australian title in Darwin.

His grandfather’s race will be his second after his hiatus.

“Pa is pretty excited I am back racing again. He’s more excited than I am,” he said.

“He doesn’t tend to miss a race, just as he doesn’t miss a game of footy (I play for Nirranda).

“I was pretty content to not race anymore. I was content with what I achieved. I achieved everything I ever thought I would and I was happy playing footy, riding my dirt bike and working.

“But three pretty good families got together and helped me out a fair bit and the offer was too good to refuse to go race again.”

Willsher will enter the Jack Willsher Cup with belief, fuelled by his run in the Northern Territory.

“I am a pretty arrogant, confident sort of person so I knew I’d go all right,” he said.

“I ran fourth at the Australian titles which was pretty decent and I ended up having the fastest lap time of the weekend so it was pretty good.

“I was rusty for the first hot laps session and then I was no worries.

“I lacked a little bit of aggression throughout that weekend but I think we’ve got that back.”

The Victorian 410 sprintcar title is also on the schedule.