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2023 bLU cRU SA JUNIOR CUP COACHING WEEKEND – IT WAS HEAPS GOOD!

Filed Under: News, Road Racing, SA Junior Cup

Road Race SA, led by the Sports Manager, Kym Bolto, along with his trusty bLU cRU SA Junior Cup crew, including Andy Hiscox, Allan Bolto, Shaun Bancroft and Chris White, as well as coaches, Will Strugnell, Kylie & Chris Collins, Cooper Rowntree (assisting), put (most of) the 2023 SA Junior Cup riders through their paces over the weekend of March 18 & 19 at the Monarto Go-Kart circuit in readiness for the fast approaching season!

Also a huge thanks to one of the SA Junior Cup dads, Daniel Amoy, for helping with the paperwork, as well as jumping in to assist with coaching duties, not only did the weekend maybe un-earth some future champions, it also unearthed a cracken coach in the making for riders at this level – huge well done Daniel.

Run in conjunction with a Road Race Come N Try Day(s), the ‘Class of 2023’ spent both days cutting laps and fine tuning their techniques under the watchful gaze of the SA Junior Cup Coaching Crew, with all riders showing vast improvement over the 2 days of on track action.

The riders present for season 2023 were as follows;

Returning from 2022;

Lucas Warren

Cooper Pitt

Archie Schmidt

Xayvion Amoy

Ghage Plowman (wildcard at 2022 final round)

 

Brand new for 2023;

Payton Kemp

Joshua Schiller

Jai Strugnell

 

Missing were Jamie Gregory and NSW’s Boyd Cole.

Biggest improvers though, were the rookies, Jai Strugnell, Joshua Schiller and Payton Kemp, with Josh and Payton, as raw road race rookies, also being allowed to head out in the Come N Try sessions to get more laps under their belts.

The difference from start to finish was there for all to see, with knees, having been high in the air at the start of the weekend, were skimming the tarmac by the end of it, although Payton was finding it a bit difficult to get his lanky frame behind the screen of the small-ish 150 Yamaha. ‘Struggy’ is a second generation rider with good pedigree and is showing a bit of natural talent, but it was still good to see him hitting apex after apex, and riding as smooth as his dad as the weekend went on.

Of the returning riders, all showed that they are more than following on from the great finish to the inaugural year in 2022, with Archie Schmidt also showing the benefit from being a part of the Oceania Junior Cup field this year (and good luck in NSW this weekend), while Lucas Warren and Cooper Pitt continue to push each other each time out on the track, with even the odd elbow scrape starting to happen.

With all this in mind, the second season of the SA Junior Cup should see the racing as close as what the end of 2022 did, and especially between the returning 5 riders, although, it wouldn’t be too long to see some of the rookies start to mix it with the established riders.

Also present on the day was Dan from AMX Superstores, who presented all the riders present with their AMX Vouchers as part of the AMX Superstores sponsorship of the Series, with Kym thanking Dan, as well as all of the Series sponsors for their continued support of this great Series.

The 2023 Series sponsors are;

Sponsor banner thanks to Marty Renshaw from Underground Designs – with thanks!

In more exciting news for 2023 sees the bLU cRU SA Junior Cup expand from 4 to 6 rounds, but with riders able to drop their ‘worst’ round. Riders will also get to ride The Bend International Circuit this year, like the ASBK and Oceania Junior Cup do, with all riders excited to get onto this track in July.

There are also 2 rounds at the iconic MacNamara Park circuit at Mount Gambier, one season ending visit to SA’s oldest track, Mallala, in November, as well as 2 rounds at the Go-Kart Club of SA’s brilliant facility at Monarto. The SA Junior Cup crew can’t thank the team at the GKCSA enough for opening their gates to junior road race in SA.

The full bLU cRU SA Junior Cup calendar is below – print it off, put it on your phone – lock them in now, so you can go and watch the future of road race in SA – and they are ‘heaps good’!

 

THE 2023 bLU cRU SA JUNIOR CUP CALENDAR

Round 1        *April 7-9 (Easter)                         Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

Round 2        June 3-4                                            GKCSA Monarto Kart Circuit

Round 3        *July 7-9                                           The Bend International, Tailem Bend

Round 4        August date to be confirmed     GKCSA Monarto Kart Circuit

Round 5        *September 29-October 1          Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

Round 6        *November 17-19                         Mallala Motorsport Park

 

* Rounds 1, 3, 5 and 6 are being held in conjunction with the 2023 South Australian Road Race Championships.

** With 2023 now a six (6) round Series, riders will be able to drop their ‘worst’ round from the points table – so only 5 out of 6 rounds will count towards the Series placings.

 

Enquiries are always welcome on how to get your child(ren) into the Series, all you need to do is contact the Road Race SA Sports Manager, Kym Bolto, roadrace@motorcyclingsa.org.au and he will email out all of the details on the how, what and how much to you.

 

ROAD RACE SA HOLD A ‘COME N TRY DAY’ WEEKEND AT MONARTO

Filed Under: News, Road Racing

Road Race SA, led by the Sports Manager, Kym Bolto, along with his trusty bLU cRU SA Junior Cup crew, including Andy Hiscox, Allan Bolto, Shaun Bancroft, Mick Fisher and Chris White, as well as coaches, Will Strugnell, Kylie & Chris Collins, Cooper Rowntree (assisting), the parents of the SA Junior Cup riders, and the riders themselves, all pitched in to make the weekend at the Monarto Go-Kart circuit one to remember!

 

Need to also give a huge shout out to a couple of the SA Junior Cup riders, Lucas Warren and Cooper Pitt, who, whilst concentrating on what they needed to do to get ready for their season, were always willing to give the Come N Try riders a hand, offer advice, and generally help out, without being asked. So good to see, and well done lads!

Also a huge thanks to one of the SA Junior Cup dads, Daniel Amoy, for helping with the paperwork, as well as jumping in to assist with coaching duties, not only did the weekend maybe un-earth some future champions, it also unearthed a cracking coach in the making for riders at grass roots level – huge well done Daniel.

Combined with the training and coaching weekend for the ‘Class of 2023’ for the SA bLU cRU SA Junior Cup, a total of 8 riders who had never road raced before, took to the track over the 2 days, and all came of the track with huge smiles on their faces.

3 of the riders had never ridden any form of motorcycle sport before, so were brand new, while the other 5 came over from other disciplines of the sport to see what riding on bitumen was all about!

Huge shout out also to Izaak Warren, who was the unofficial time keeper and flag marshal all weekend, keeping all on track well informed about how long they had to go on track – cheers Izaak!

SATURDAY saw Jax Henry, younger sibling of Rikki Henry (current Oceania Junior Cup rider) and Jackson Turner take to the track during the morning, with both consistently getting smoother and smoother as the day went on and learning to use all of the track and how to get in and out of the corners, with the coaching crew on hand keeping a close on these potential future champions!

                                     Jax Henry (above), getting gloved by his dad, before hitting the track.

Saturday was on the warm side, as Jackson Turner found out being all decked out in leathers and helmet!

Joshua Griffin was the 3rd Come N Try rider on Saturday, and he had never ridden a bike with a clutch before, having only ridden a Pee Wee previously. But, after a couple hours in the form up area getting used to the bike and how to use the clutch, Josh took to the track later in the afternoon, and the smile on his face at the end of his first laps – well, you could see it through his helmet!

Joshua Griffin took some time to get used to the clutch, but the smile at the end said it was all worth it.

SUNDAY was ‘girls’ day’, with Ashley Barwick and Alisha Harry crossing over from Trial for the day, as well as another younger sibling, Georgia Stephen’s sister, Charli, being in the same position as Joshua the day before – coming from a PeeWee.

So, like Joshua, Charli also spent a couple of hours in the form up area learning all things clutch and brake from coaches like Allan and Daniel she was then ready to take to the track proper – and with a push from dad she was away – and didn’t look back – ending the day with the biggest smile on her face!

With Ashley & Alisha both having a Trial background, riding the bikes for them was no problem, although sitting down was new, as was tucking in and leaning into corners, but both girls adapted during their sessions and the increase in confidence and technique also showed a marked increase in speed and decrease in lap times during the day.

The girls were also joined by Alisha’s brother, Ashton, and also motocross lad, Seth Ryles, to make it 5 riders on the Sunday, with lots of boot and helmet swapping going on during the day so all could get plenty of time on the track, and like the riders with other discipline experience, Ashton and Seth adapted to the differences of road race quite quickly, although Seth needed a few tips on cornering at first, as motocross is a lot different.

By 4.00pm Sunday arvo, the weekend was done, with Kym stating, “it was a huge weekend and to see the interest from the riders who came out to come and try road race for the first time was sensational. Also, for them to watch our bLU cRU SA Junior Cup riders show their skills on track really added to the dynamics of the weekend. Thank you to all who assisted and to MSA for organising this great event and we aim to make it even bigger and better in 2024.”

The girls, (l-r) Ashley, Alisha & Charli (left) and joined by Charli’s sister, current road racer, Georgia (right)

 

Charli at the start of her day getting some coaching, and then a push from dad as she hits the track!

The Harry siblings, Alisha (left) and Ashton getting used to sitting on a bike after coming from a Trial background.

Seth Ryles, after his first session, and showing good form after coming from a motocross background.

ROAD RACE SA’S ‘COME N TRY DAY’ WEEKEND – IT WAS HEAPS GOOD!

(LEFT TO RIGHT) Alisha gets some tips from Ashley, Kym explaining it all to Team Harry, and thumbs up from Charli!

(LEFT TO RIGHT) Kym leads Ashley around the hot line, and gets the thumbs up from her, while Joshua hits the track with a smile!

(LEFT TO RIGHT) Cooper shows Joshua where everything is (2 pics), while Jackson tells dad “It was hot out there!”

THE MSA Come N Try bikes got a good work out, Team Harry about to hit the track and Charli cutting laps!

STAY TUNED – STILL TO COME!

bLU cRU SA JUNIOR CUP COACHING WEEKEND – IT WAS ALSO HEAPS GOOD!

 

SA RIDERS EVENT RECAP AND RESULTS- ASBK MAKES A ROARING RETURN FOR 2023

Filed Under: News, Road Racing

After a huge 2022 of fairy tale finishes and upset losses ASBK has made a roaring return and SA riders are there in force to make a statement.

 

2023 saw SA talent continue to beat personal bests and stand tall on podiums. Continuing the chase there was a hum of excitement leading into this years season through some incredibly fast times being put down in ASBK testing at Sydney Motorsport Park, giving a sneak peak into what’s to come or Round One.

Round One kicked off on the iconic Phillip Island over the weekend of 25th to 26th February 2023 and SA was there in force with 15 riders lining up on the grid in their respective classes.

(A Great shot of all the officials from 📸 Russell Colvin)

 

Pit Lane Studio was one of the amazing photographers there catching the  action shots – See the photos: HERE. 

Superbike:

Superbike saw Arthur Sissis finished qualifying in top Ten with a Eighth Place, ready for Race One. Riding hard he came out shook off the previous start and finished Round Three in Fifth place. Race Three, riding very consistent he was able to finish in Seventh placing, giving him a strong Sixth place overall finish.

After a tough Qualifying 18th Michael Kemp pulled it back working hard up to a Ninth Place for Race One. Not Able to hold onto the Position he fell back in the field through Race Two and Three to a 14th and 15th place Finish, giving him a 12th overall. 

 

Jack Davis had a roller coaster weekend overall, Qualifying 16th place, he was taken out in both races One and Three, resulting in him needing to ride without traction control. After the 12th and 15th place finish in Races Two and Three, he walked away in 16th overall to round out the weekend. 

Supersport 600:

Ty Lynch had a cracker weekend in Supersport 600, just warming up from qualifying 11th, he clawed up to Eighth in Race One with sights set firmly on Race Two, fighting hard finishing on top with a First place. After getting caught up in the action on track Ty settled for a Fifth in Race Three but all the hard work had payed off sitting in First overall to kick off 2023 ASBK Supersport 600.

 

(The Champ, Ty Lynch. 📸 Pit Lane Studio)

Olly Simpson was riding hard as ever qualifying Third fastest, coming into Race One with a Fourth place finish narrowly missing podium. He was looking to take that podium place in Race Two sliding into second place before slipping off into the gravel at Turn Two, taking two other riders with him. Shaking off the outcome of Race Two, Olly charged hard taking out a podium Second place in Race Three and sitting Fifth place overall to round out ASBK Round One.

(Photos from James O’Hagan Photography 📸)

Dallas Skeer had a hectic start to the season to say the least. After a massive crash at the original practice weeks prior, there was doubt of him being able to make Round One. After both the team and he working their butts off to get everything in race condition, he arrived at Phillip Island and was there ready for Round One. Qualifying Fifth Saturday surprising himself and everyone and considering the crash left him three weeks prior with a fractured back. From then on Dallas took everything in his stride, including the weather. Race One left Dallas dropping down to 12th after a tough start. Pushing back up to top Fifth, he ended up with a Seventh overall. Last two races were a challenge when he was sent off the track early in Race Two and after working to get used to riding on an unpredictable drying track with wet spots, he ended up 15th and 13th in those races, and walked away with a 10th place overall. 

 

Mitch Simpson started the weekend getting his feeling of the track with exceptionally fast competition qualifying 25th and determined to make up the places. Race One saw him claw up 3 positions to finish 22nd. Not satisfied and with more in the tank, he had a spectacular Race Two, fighting through the field and finishing in Fifth place. Race 3 he rode well, in the mix of all the action finishing Eighth and leaving the weekend within top Ten in Ninth position.     

 

Young Declan Carberry was in the mix from the get go and pushing hard. With some bike challenges he was only able to ide 5 laps in the 25 minute Qualifying session but still taking a qualifying place of 19th out of a 28 rider field. The Team pulled the bike apart but and things were looking good with a great start to Race One but the bike temperature rose again after Lap Five, resulting in Declan needing to ride cautiously to get it over the finish line in 21st Place. With wet conditions in Race Two and being on the Second Bike Declan had sights set on making up lost time. With an exceptional start and working hard 10th place had been claimed by the Champ when a competitor crashed in front of him Ninth for the race. Sunday was a mixed bag of conditions with a drying track in places and exceptionally wet in others. After an ok start he fought his way into top 10 and getting in the position to battle for Third Place, it was looking to be an exceptional PB finish.  With his wet tires getting hot and traction becoming non existent, he continued on to finish Seventh place and leave with a 11th Place standing overall.  

(#220 Declan Carberry 📸 Pit Lane Studio)

(Above: The Iconic Phillip Island and our amazing officials. 📸 Pit Lane Studio)

Supersport 300:

You couldn’t throw a rock without hitting a South Australian in Supersport 300. Cooper Rowntree lead the charge for the South Aussies qualifying a strong top Ten in seventh place heading into racing nailing a Tenth in Race One, bringing down to a fourth in Race Two, seventh in Race Three and finishing the weekend in ninth overall.

(Below – 300 Supersport Race 3 front runners coming over the rise and down into MG. 📸 Pit Lane Studio))

Tara Morrison had an up and down weekend, starting strong with a personal best eighth place qualifying but ran into trouble crashing in race one with fellow South Aussie Sam Pezzetta, fighting back with a 10th place finish in Race Two, however crashing again in Race Three and finishing in 17th overall.

(Above: Tara Morrison #95 chasing Sam Pezzetta #51 with Cooper Rowntree #57 and the pack 📸 Pit Lane Studio))

Sam Pezzetta started the weekend incredibly strong running top times in Supersport 300 before a crash Friday. Fighting hard he ended up walking away with a qualifying 11th position. In Race One he and Tara Morrison had a massive crash and was not able to line up on the grid for Race Two. Determined to come back and score valuable series points he took out 11th place in Race Three and finished the weekend in 19th.

Sunday arvo saw Sam invited up on onto the main stage for some interviews with fellow South Aussie Ryder Gilbert whom both had the crowd laughing at their antics before being completely surprised by a visit from Toprak Razgatlıoğlu right before he was out for his race.

(Above: Pics of Sam on Stage from Pezzetta51 Racing)

Jordy Simpson rode exceptionally well and consistent starting off the weekend Qualifying in 18th, showing he wasn’t to be taken lightly, picking off the competition places until finishing in 13th for Race One. Starting in 18th on the grid for Race Two, Jordy worked hard to move through the pack making up places, getting into 16th position by Lap Three  and  holding it off until Steve Sforzin and fellow South Aussie Ryder Gilbert managed to get past leaving Jordy in 18th Position for the race. Race 3 saw Jordy make his move early overtaking knight in the first lap and holding 17th position for 3 laps until he was able to make the move and jump up to 14th in Lap Five. Fending off constant attacks on the position, Simpson was taken and moved back into 16th Position where he finished the race and the weekend in 14th overall.

 

Brock Quinlan started the weekend taking all the conditions in his stride and working with everything the weather and his competitors could throw at him. Qualifying just outside of top 20 in 21st Place. Race One saw a jousting battle between Ryder Gilbert over the early laps until he was able to negotiate the carnage of the race and move from 23rd place in lap Four up to 18th position in the last 4 laps. Race 2 saw Brock and Steve Sforzin have a battle early on until Sforzin continued his charge up the ranks and Quinlan get pipped by Gilbert and Moylan in lap 5 to finish Race Two in 22nd. From early Race Three Quinlan got the move on Sforzin up to 20th position in the first lap. Mills managed to get past Quinlan between Lap One and Two, holding Brock in 21st until Brock could make the move stick on Lap 3 moving past Mills and hold on to finish the race in 20th and take home the rank of 22nd for Round One.

 

Phoenix Agar still finding his groove through practice and qualifying, was still smashing PB’s and keen to show what he could do. After qualifying 26th, race one was going well chasing the group in front of him when a mistake into Turn Four of the First Lap meant he was unable to catch up but still able steer clear of crashes and finish in 21st with a personal best time. Race Two saw Phoenix work through the challenging weather conditions to start in 26th but keep in composed and finish the race in 23rd. Continuing his run of PB’s Phoenix kept it upright and consistent finishing the weekend for Race 3 in 24th Position. 

 

Below are the overall results of all the South Aussies for ASBK Round One:

 

 

CLASSICS RACING TOWARDS 2023 – SOUTH AUSTRALIAN 2022 HISTORIC ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Filed Under: News, Road Racing

2022 was coming fast to a close and Mac Park was set to send it off in the best way possible, with bikes from past decades roaring back into life for the 2022 Historic Road Race Championships. Mild conditions were welcomed by both bikes and riders, providing exceptionally fast racing conditions. Spectators witnessed history being made with all competitors sights firmly set on finishing the year on top. 

 

See below the Championship points for each entry numbers qualified category.  To see all the results and race breakdown, click HERE.

 

Pit Lane Studio caught all the amazing shots of the action. 

 

Class C: 

Period 2:

 

Period 3 – 250cc:

Period 3 – 350cc:

Period 3 – 500cc:

Period 3 – 700cc:

Period 3 – Unlimited:

 

Period 4 – 125cc:

 

 

 

 

Period4 – 250cc:

Period 4 – 350cc: 

Period 4 – 500cc: 

Period 5 – 250cc:

Period 5 – 350cc: 

Period 5 – 500cc:

Period 5 – Unlimited:

Period 6 – 250cc:

Period 6 – 500cc: 

 

PRESS RELEASE :- 2023 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ROAD RACE CALENDAR DATES RELEASE

Filed Under: News, Road Racing, SA Women in Motorcycling

The 2023 SA Road Race Calendar will be an amazing opportunity for South Australians to participate in Road Racing, for both recreational fun and to follow opportunities to compete on National or an International stage.

Motorcycling South Australia are excited to release the dates for a packed 2023 South Australian Road Race calendar. There is always continual development and growth of the calendar, with 2023 being no exception. The year coming is looking to provide more high-level events and recreational riding than ever before. 

 

There will be 5 rounds of South Australian Championships for all classes, except Supersport 300, which will have an extra 2 rounds, which will run with the SA Junior Cup in 2 rounds being held at go-kart venues. This is an increase of an extra SA Championship round and an amazing 2 and 3 extra rounds for SA Junior Cup & Supersport 300 respectively from 2022.

Due to the exceptional work done by the team at SA’s Cafnix and Victoria’s Preston MCC’s, 2 rounds of the SA Championships will be held in conjunction with the Victorian Road Race Championships, resulting in not only interstate racing opportunities but also international quality circuits with The Bend International and Phillip Island now included in the calendar.

Gareth Deacon, President of the Phoenix MCC, described the return of the full calendar and exceptional venues being raced at, “After making it through the last two years of COVID impacted racing we’re excited to be returning to a full calendar of road racing events in 2023. Following negotiations with Preston MCC in Victoria we’ve decided to re-start our previous reciprocal race meeting agreement which we started in 2020.

This has enabled us to put the International Circuit at Tailem Bend back in the mix, along with a visit to Philip Island – making the SA road race calendar one of the most exciting and varied line-ups for state level racing in the country. CAFNIX will also be hosting two Brackets meetings this year as Club rounds with the goal of improving competitive racing at the front of the field and also providing an entry point for those looking to try out our sport for the first time.”

Increasing from the 4 rounds in 2022, the bLU cRU SA Junior Cup will increase to 6 rounds for the year with many aspiring junior riders coming into the series setting their sights and hopes on the ultimate prize in getting a ride in the Oceania Junior Cup for 2024.

Reflecting on 2022 the bLU cRU Junior Cup and the 2023 prospects of the series, Road Race Sports Manager, Kym Bolto said: “Our 2022 riders in the bLU cRU SA Junior Cup have all grown as riders into accomplished road racers which is what we set out to do in creating this series.

I can’t wait for the bLU cRU SA Junior Cup series to commence in 2023 and am really looking forward to seeing all of our rider’s progress, home their skills and become the best riders they can be.”

 

                  SA Junior Cup ‘Class of 2022’! (Above)

 

Also in 2023, an extra Brackets race weekend has been planned by CAFNIX, doubling the amount from 2022, and one will include the annual ‘classic’ 2 Hour endurance races, with the old’ 3 Hour Production Race’ now run as 2 x 2 Hour races, as the size difference in bikes can no longer race together like in years past!

Excitingly Mac Park will once again host their ‘Seniors Meeting’ but with it moved from Autumn to Spring in 2023, so will now be a great ‘Father’s Day’ present for those who usually run at the Seniors Meeting!

Rounding out the end of 2023, the Collingrove Hill Climb course will be host to the old bikes taking on the challenge and being out to the ultimate test in October, before the Historics crew once again get ready to welcome in the New Year at Mac Park.

2023 will have more opportunities than ever for both racers, seeking extra practice, or riders who just want some fun on the weekend, without the pressure of racing, as there will be a total of 17 Ride Days to be held from January through to December. (with 12 at Mac Park and 5 at Mallala).

So without further ado… the 2023 SA Road Race Calendar:

2023 South Australian Road Race Championships                                                                                                                                                                    Declan Carberry – Supersport 300 (Below)                            

*April 7-9, Easter – Round 1 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

July 7-9 – Round 2 @ The Bend International, Tailem Bend, with VRRC (Cafnix)

September 15-17 – Round 3 @ Phillip Island, with VRRC (Cafnix)

*Sept 29-Oct 1 – Round 4 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

November 17-19 – Round 5 @ Mallala Motorsport Park (Cafnix)

 

2023 bLU cRU South Australian Junior Cup

April 7-9, Easter – Round TBA @ Mac Park

July 7-9 – Round TBA @ The Bend, International

Sept 29-Oct 1 – Round TBA @ Mac Park

November 17-19 – Round TBA @ Mallala

TBA – TBA @ TBA (with Supersport 300)

TBA – TBA @ TBA (with Supersport 300)

Daniel Spendlove – Limited, Naked Bike (Below)

* Round order to be finalised when TBA dates are finalised

2023 South Australian Historic Championships

December 29-31 @ Mac Park (Historics)

 

Special Events

March 3-5 – Classic Master of Mac Park

March 10-12 – Hartwell Champs @ Mac Park

*April 7-9 – The Easter Cup @ Mac Park,

 

^June 9-11 – The 2 Hour Races @ Mallala (TBC)

Sept 1-3 – Seniors Meeting @ Mac Park

*Sept 29-Oct 1 – The Master of Mac Park

October 1 – The Historic Collingrove Hill Climb

 

Extra Events

May 26-28 – Brackets 1 @ Mallala (Cafnix)

^June 9-11 – Brackets 2 @ Mallala (Cafnix)

                                                                                                               Grant Howarth & Scott Deslandes – Sidecar (Below)

2023 Club Series

CAFNIX

May 26-28 – @ Mallala

June 9-11 – @ Mallala

                                         Tara Morrison – Watch out for in 2023 (Below)

 

2023 Ride Days

January 28 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

February 25 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

March 25 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

April 29 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

May 27 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

June 24 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

July 29 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

August 26 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

September 23 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

October 28 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

November 25 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

Dec 16-17 @ Mac Park (Mount Gambier)

      

February 4 @ Mallala (Cafnix)                                                                                                                         

April 15 @ Mallala (Cafnix)

June 17 @ Mallala (Cafnix)

September 2 @ Mallala (Cafnix)

November 4 @ Mallala (Cafnix)

 

* and ^ – combined with a special event

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Kemp – Superbike (Right) 

Sam Pezzetta – Supersport 300 (Below)

ASBK – Round 6 Wrap-up

Filed Under: ASBK, News, Road Racing

Round 6 of the Australian Superbike Championships was held last weekend in conjunction with the WSBK grand finale at the picturesque home of superbike racing “Phillip Island”. A strong contingent of 11 South Australian competitors traveled the journey to share the paddock with the likes of international Champions  Alvaro Bautista and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu. 

 

One of the South Australians trackside for the weekend was Pit Lane Studios own Rebecca Bowdidge whom brought us all the action home with spectacular shots and the below weekend race recap of our South Australians.

 

Superbikes:

                                                                                               #25 Daniel Falzon

#25 Daniel Falzon qualified in 2nd place for the weekend with an impressive 1:31.596, but couldn’t maintain his position through his races, slipping down the field and then maintaining steady pace in races 1 & 2 to finish 9th & 10th respectively. Daniel got off to a good start in race 3, achieving one of the fastest laps of the race before crashing out at newly named Miller corner, along with riders Cru Halliday and Senna Agius. Daniel sits 9th in the championship, and we look forward to his comeback at The Bend this weekend after a major crash in the final race this time last year.

 

#61 Arthur Sissis gave a strong consistent performance over the weekend giving him a 6th place for the round and putting him in championships 7th. 

After qualifying in 10th, Arthur made a steady climb to 4th position in a wet race 1. Known for his competitive edge in wet conditions, Arthur laid down one of the fastest laps of the race with a 1:44.490.

In Dry races 2 & 3, Arthur finished with a 9th and 7th. 

#61 Arthur Sissis 

 

#9 Billy McConnell, who joins the ASBK field for the final two rounds off the back of his British Superstock 1000 championship 2nd place, unfortunately had a weekend marred with mechanical issues. 

 

Qualifying in 15th, Billy broke down during the warm-up lap of race 1. Billy finished 14th in race 2 before exiting the field again several laps into race 3. 

 

We look forward to a better weekend for Billy at The Bend, with friends and fans no doubt excited to see what he can do on home territory. 

                                                                                                                              #9 Billy McConnell

 

Supersport:

#85 Ty Lynch

All eyes were on young gun #85 Ty Lynch this weekend, chasing a championship in the 600 class and bouncing back from a recent injury in the Victorian titles. 

 

Ty got his first podium for the weekend with a 3rd place after race 1 was declared due to time constraints. Race 2 is where it all came unstuck for Ty, with a misjudged move by fellow SA competitor Dallas Skeer into MG corner taking both riders out of the race on the 2nd lap. Ty and the team put in an incredible effort to keep him in the running for Sunday’s race, where he picked up a 4th place after rider Archie McDonald was disqualified.

 

He holds onto his championship 2nd by a mere point ahead of round winner Tom Bramich.

 

 

#86 Dallas Skeer whose year has not been favourable thus far with several mechanical DNFs across the rounds as well as Saturday’s costly incident, was able to claw back and pick up some points with a 5th place in Sunday’s race 3.

 

We’re looking forward to a strong performance from Dallas at the Bend on home soil to finish off what has been no doubt a difficult season. 

#86 Dallas Skeer                                                                                                                                                 #220 Declan Carberry 

 

#220 Declan Carberry made slow, steady improvements across the weekend on the GSXR. Qualifying in 15th, Declan was able to resume after losing grip into turn 11 as the rain came down during Saturday’s race 1. Declan finished races 2 & 3 with a 13th & 11th respectively, picking up 21 round points in total for his second ASBK outing.

 

In what should have been Declan’s first official ASBK at The Bend last year, a high speed off at turn 5 during practice took Declan out of the running. Declan in no doubt will  be excited to show the field what he can do in front of a home crowd this weekend.

 

Supersport 300:  

#51 Samuel Pezzetta consistently impressed with his efforts scoring him a 3rd place for the round and a championship 6th with one round to go. 

 

Races 1 & 2 showed spectacular games of cat and mouse, with Samuel missing out on a podium finish by mere tenths of a second both times and even holding the lead at times right down to the final turns.

 

He finished races 1 & 2 in 4th position, also gaining the fastest lap of the race in race 2 with a 1:49.396.

 

Sam powered on and victory finally came in race 3 with a 3rd place finish, giving him a massive 52 points in total for the round, his best performance this year and certainly making him the one to watch heading into this weekend’s finale.

#51 Samuel Pezzetta enjoying the glory

 

Fellow Unitech Racing teammate #80 Cameron Rende, a high achiever in this year’s Oceania Junior Cup had his second outing on a 300 as an ASBK competitor. Cameron made excellent improvements across the weekend. Riding hard and after qualifying in 18th, Cam consistently gained positions in each race with a 9th place in race 3 being his best performance all weekend. Cam earned a total 27 round points, an improvement from his first round back at Morgan Park.

 

#80 Cameron Rende Battling it out

#57 Cooper Rowntree unfortunately didn’t get the results he was hoping for over the round but again was a steady, consistent performer. Gaining positions in each of his races and earning a total 21 points, which is his second-best round performance in the 300 class this year. 

#57 Cooper Rowntree 

Coop qualified in 19th, finished 15th & 14th in races 1 & 2 less than a tenth of second behind his competition, and scored a 13th in race 3 after some brilliant tussling, clawing back 3 places on the last lap. We think that’s a job well done, Coop.

 

The round saw two ASBK newcomers in #95 Tara Morrison and #87 Brock Quinlan arrive looking to make an impression at Phillip Island.

 

   #95 Tara Morrison                                                                                                             #87 Brock Quinlan

Tara impressed – starting from the back of the field after qualifying, Tara gained 2 places in her first race to finish 20th. Tara was able to repeat her efforts in Saturday morning’s race 2, before stunning us with some brilliant racing on Sunday morning landing her a 12th place in race 3. 

 

Brock’s weekend was all about consistency, after also qualifying near the back of the field, Brock tussled with RaceDNA teammate Daley Mills to maintain position in his first races, with race 3 being the one where Brock started to find his rhythm and bring out his competitive edge with a 17th place finish. A huge well done to both Tara and Brock for making it through their first national meeting and putting some points on the board.

 

The ASBK finale has come home to be held at The Bend Motorsport Park this weekend, November 25th – 27th. Tickets and weekend passes are available from asbk.com.au

By Rebecca Bowdidge

Photos Credit Pit Lane Studios “Rebecca Bowdidge”