Motorcycling SA

Ride, Race, Enjoy

Geoff Battle

A Weekend to Remember: South Australian Riders Shine at the 2024 ASBK Round 7

Filed Under: News

Last weekend, the 2024 ASBK (Australian Superbike Championship) wrapped up right here in South Australia with an action-packed Round 7 at the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park. A strong contingent of South Aussies took to the track, competing against Australia’s best and coming away with a string of podium finishes. Let’s dive into just some of the stories that made up a massive weekend of racing.

Arthur Sissis took out two podiums in the Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship, with a 3rd, 5th, and an exceptionally close dash to the line in Race 3, finishing just 0.230 seconds behind Victoria’s Josh Waters. 

In the Michelin Supersport Championship, Olly Simpson edged out NSW’s Archie McDonald in qualifying to claim a Pole going into the weekend’s racing. From there, it was a battle at the front, with Simpson taking second by just 0.085 seconds in the opening race. He then finished Race 2 in fourth place, and Race 3 in second, securing third overall in the Supersport Championship, just 2 points behind McDonald.

The final Road and Race Supersport Championship round had plenty for South Aussie fans to cheer about, with a whole stack of SA riders eyeing off top spots and the debut appearance of both Rikki Henry and Archie Schmidt, fresh off their 2024 Asia Talent Cup final round. Schmidt wasted no time in mixing it with the front pack, qualifying second going into the racing. Jordan Simpson would equally prove tough competition for the top 3 contenders, claiming third and second across the first two races. In the final race, Schmidt and Simpson shared the podium in second and third, respectively, wrapping up the weekend with Schmidt just 0.20 seconds off first and 0.355 seconds separating the two hometown racers.

Jai Strugnell joined the list of podium scorers over the weekend, taking an early second-place finish in Race 1.

In the ShopYamaha R3 Cup, Jordan Simpson continued his podium streak with two third-place finishes and a second, securing third overall for the 2024 ShopYamaha R3 Cup, just 2 points behind NSW’s Will Nassif.

To see all the round 7 and 2024 ASBK Championship overall results of our South Aussies – Click Here.

As our SA riders reflect on an exciting final round and the 2024 season wrap-up, check out their behind-the-scenes stories on social media. They’re taking a well-deserved break before gearing up for an even bigger return in 2025!

Cover image thanks to Pit Lane Studio.

Unitech Racing Team –https://www.facebook.com/ArthurSissis61RacingTeam

Arthur Sissis – https://www.facebook.com/arthursissis61

Michael Kemp – https://www.facebook.com/michaelkempracing

Ty Lynch – https://www.facebook.com/TyraLynchRacing

Declan Carberry – https://www.instagram.com/dj220racing/

Brad Raethel – https://www.instagram.com/bradraethel47/

Olly Simpson – https://www.instagram.com/ollysimpson45/

Sam Pezzetta – https://www.instagram.com/pezzetta_51/

Cooper Rowntree – https://www.facebook.com/CooperRowntree57

Ryder Gilbert – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089634796268

Brock Quinlan – https://www.instagram.com/brockquinlan87/

Callum Morrison – https://www.instagram.com/callummorrison55/

Tara Morrison – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087208255688 

Archie Schmidt – https://www.instagram.com/archieschmidt169/

Rikki Henry – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076832051611

Hudson Air – https://www.instagram.com/hudsonair71/

Georgia Stephens – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082959693425

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR THE MOTORCYCLING SA NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS

Filed Under: News

 

Motorcycling SA is excited to announce that tickets for the Night of Champions are now on sale! Join us on Saturday, 1 February 2025, for an unforgettable night of celebration, commemorating the outstanding achievements in our sport and the incredible individuals who make it all possible.

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW AVAILABLE PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

 

Event Details:

  • Date: Saturday, 1 February 2025
  • Time: 6:00 pm (doors open at 5:00 pm)
  • Venue: Festival Function Centre, 292 Findon Road, Findon
  • Attire: Semi Formal
  • Ticket Prices:  
    • Adult: $75.00 
    • Child (u/16 years): $40.00 

Ticket sales close at 5:00pm on Friday 17 January through Humanitix, so get yours now!

 

BUY YOUR TICKETS

 

There’s still time to celebrate the outstanding contributions of those around us! Nominations for several award categories are still open. Please take note of the closing dates for the nominations, as each differ to allow for the appropriate consideration and selection process. Please see below for the list of other awards along with their closing dates:

  • MSA Rising Star Award (U/16) – Tuesday 19 November 
  • MSA Event of the Year – Saturday 30 November
  • Junior & Senior Male Riders of the Year – Saturday 30 November
  • Junior & Senior Female Riders of the Year – Saturday 30 November

 

NOMINATE HERE

Accelerating Futures: 2025 SA Junior Cup Expressions of Interest Now Open

Filed Under: News, Road Racing, SA Junior Cup

Motorcycling South Australia is calling for expressions of interest for the 2025 SA Junior Cup Series!

Since its inception in 2022, the SA Junior Cup series has been dedicated to fostering the next generation of aspiring professional road racers, guiding them toward state and international success. Many previous riders, including Rikki Henry and Archie Schmidt, have advanced from the series to achieve numerous successes in prestigious competitions such as the FIM Mini GP, Oceania Junior Cup, and Asia Talent Cup.

The SA Junior Cup offers up to 14 young riders, aged 11 to 15, a unique opportunity to enhance their skills in a supportive and inclusive environment. Open to participants from all MSA disciplines, this series serves as a direct pathway to the National Oceania Junior Cup Academy, helping to cultivate the Champions of tomorrow.

To register your interest, click here, or contact Motorcycling SA for more information at roadrace@motorcyclingsa.org.au or call (08) 8332 9000.

Photos thanks to Pit Lane Studio. 

 

Rising to the Challenge: Cooper Sheidow’s Journey at the 2024 FIM ISDE

Filed Under: News

South Australia’s Cooper Sheidow recently completed his debut with Team Australia at the 2024 FIM International Six Day Enduro (ISDE) from October 14th to 19th. Competing alongside elite riders like Josh Strang, Jonte Reynolds, and Kyron Bacon in the prestigious World Trophy Challenge, the young South Australian poured everything into tackling the unique demands of the ISDE.

Despite an early day 1 crash that slowed his initial momentum, Cooper fought back, advancing 18 positions on Days 2 and 3. With his teammates keeping pace, Team Australia held onto 4th place against fierce competition from France, Spain, and defending Champions, the USA.

 

Image by Fred Ccy

As the rain intensified, Day 3 tested the riders with a gruelling 106km loop, initially scheduled for Day 4. The team completed the loop twice, rounding out the day 17 minutes behind leaders France, with Spain and America in second and third.

Cooper continued to push through slick conditions on Days 4 and 5, finishing 54th and 62nd individually, as Team Australia held onto 4th place overall. The final day brought torrential rain and mud during the Day 6 motocross test, but the team locked in their 4th-place finish.

Image by Fred Ccy

Reflecting on his ISDE experience, Cooper shared, “It’s been a dream of mine to race for Australia in this event…I never backed down and am happy to have finished. After six days, 29 special tests, and over 1300km, I moved from 123rd to 65th in the world. It’s not where I wanted to be, but I’m fired up to come back with better results.”

In other results, Team Australia’s Women’s World Trophy team took 2nd behind the USA, while the Junior World Trophy Team placed 4th behind Sweden, France, and the United States.

NEW ANNUAL AWARDS LAUNCHED – TO BE PRESENTED AT THE MSA NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS

Filed Under: News

Motorcycling SA is excited to launch five new awards, to be presented at the 2024 MSA Night of Champions. These new accolades will complement the existing awards and will bring some new excitement to MSA’s annual ‘Night of Nights’, being held at the Festival Function Centre at Findon on 1 February 2025.

The best part about these new awards is that the Motorcycling SA community get to nominate the finalists.  The finalists from each discipline with the most nominations will be presented to the MSA Board who will make the final decision on who the winner will be.

 

 

Read more about our new awards below, with details on how to make a nomination:

EVENT OF THE YEAR

Nominations open Monday 9 September and close 30 September 2024

This award recognises an exceptional event that has provided positive engagement for our community and participants. The recipient (organisers) will have delivered a well-run event, that encompasses positive promotion of the sport and exceptional on-track action, along with engaging their local community and the greater participation among the motorcycling community.

Eligibility for this award is as follows:

  • All SA Championship status events, Open, Special, Major, or Club events run by an affiliated Club or a Promotor at a South Australian venue between 1 December 2023 and 30 November 2024.
  • Must be a competitive event.
  • Australian Championship & International events – that are run in their entirety by an MSA affiliated Club/Promotor will be eligible (ineligible events are Pro-MX, AORC or ASBK rounds, or the Senior Solo Speedway Championship round).

 

RIDERS OF THE YEAR

Nominations open Monday 9 September and close 30 November 2024

This award recognises an exceptional event that has provided positive engagement for our community and participants. The recipient (organisers) will have delivered a well-run event, that encompasses positive promotion of the sport and exceptional on-track action, along with engaging their local community and the greater participation among the motorcycling community.

  • All SA Championship status events, Open, Special, Major, or Club events run by an affiliated Club or a Promotor at a South Australian venue between 1 December 2023 and 30 November 2024.
  • Must be a competitive event.
  • Australian Championship & International events – that are run in their entirety by an MSA affiliated Club/Promotor will be eligible (ineligible events are Pro-MX, AORC or ASBK rounds, or the Senior Solo Speedway Championship round).

 

RIDERS OF THE YEAR

Nominations open Monday 9 September and close 30 November 2024

These four awards recognise riders who consistently display, outstanding personal attributes within our motorcycling community, coupled with brilliant performances on track within their chosen discipline. The awards are given to both males and females in senior and junior classes.

  • Male Senior Rider of the Year
  • Female Senior Rider of the Year
  • Male Junior Rider of the Year
  • Female Junior Rider of the Year

The criteria for these awards are as follows:

To be deemed eligible for the above awards, the rider must be able to prove at least two (2) of the following criteria:

  • Reside in South Australia.
  • Hold a current MA licence in 2024.
  • If an international competitor, provide proof of a South Australian residential address.
  • Based on events ridden between 1 December 2023 and 30 November 2024.
  • Senior is classed as those aged 16 years and over as of 1 January 2024. Junior is classed as those aged 9 to 15 years as of 1 January 2024.

 

 

Nominations for all other MSA awards are currently open. Please take note of the closing dates for the nominations, as each differs to allow for the appropriate consideration and selection process. Please see below for the list of other awards along with their closing dates:

The Frank Franklin Trophy – Friday 1 November 2024

Regional Volunteer Awards – Friday 1 November 2024

MSA Rising Star Awards – Tuesday 19 November 2024

 

Click HERE to make a nomination for any of the awards listed above.

 

Finalists for the Frank Franklin Trophy, Regional Volunteer Awards, and MSA Rising Star Award will be announced in December, with the MSA Hall of Fame and the Life Member recipients being announced during the Night of Champions.

 

DECIDING THE RECIPIENTS

Once nominations have been received, the MSA staff will collate a shortlist of the nominations and provide recommendations to the MSA Board for their consideration. From the shortlist, the MSA Board will create a list of ‘finalists’ for each award category, with the ‘winners’ to be announced at the Night of Champions.

The final decision will be made by the MSA Board based on the information given to them. This decision will be FINAL and no discussion will be entered into.

 

Tickets for the event go on sale on Friday 1 November and will be available to purchase until Friday 17 January 2025.

NINE NEW COACHES TRAINED TO SUPPORT RIDERS IN THE SOUTH EAST!

Filed Under: Coaches, News

Andy Caldecott Park, home to the Keith & Districts MCC, hosted a Level 1 Coaches Course on October 12 & 13, with nine new coaches participating. This two-day course is recognized by AusSport and the Australian Institute of Sport.

 

Course Highlights:

  • Day 1: Focused on theory, covering Administration & Legal Responsibilities, the Role of the Coach, Coaching Sessions, Coaching in Action, and Skills and Equipment. Participants developed lesson plans for the practical sessions on the second day.
  • Day 2: Coaches worked in groups with riders of various ages and skill levels.

Of the nine coaches, seven belong to the Keith & Districts MCC, specializing in off-road riding, particularly enduro and motocross. The remaining two are from Mount Gambier MCC, focusing on road racing. Notably, two of the new coaches are women, doubling the number of accredited female coaches in South Australia.

 

Working on those crucial starts.
Cornering practice and skill development in riding ruts.

Thanks to the new coaches for investing their time, and to the Keith & Districts MCC for being excellent hosts, providing their venue along with meals throughout the weekend. A shout-out also goes to the young participants, aged 5 to 14, who enjoyed being coached and learning new skills during the course.

 

Upcoming Courses: Motorcycling SA is excited to expand coaching opportunities and will offer two more Level 1 Coaches Courses in 2024:

  • November 2-3 in Port Lincoln
  • November 23-24 in the metro area.

For more details and enrollment information, visit: Motorcycling SA Coaches Page.