Sunshine Coast rider Aiden Wagner has officially announced his switch to OZ Wildcard Racing for the remainder of the 2014 season as he prepares to run under the team headed by Stewart Winton, also making the switch to the use of Mupo Suspension on his Yamaha R6 Supersport bikes.
In the break since his last event, Aiden has conducted two test days with his new team in preparation for this weekend’s event and the upcoming fourth round of the Australasian Superbike Championship at Winton Motor Raceway and the Wamuran based racer is upbeat about his chances in his new team surroundings.
“It’s been a busy time since we were last on track, joining OZ Wildcard Racing/SW Racing and riding on Mupo Suspension. I’ve had a couple of days testing with Stewart (Winton) and the whole bike setup has felt amazing, I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve as a team this weekend at Phillip Island,” Wagner said.
With this weekend’s event taking place at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, known most commonly for its fast flowing straights and sweeping corners, Wagner highlights the need to focus on identifying a fast setup in practice and gaining a strong slip stream in qualifying to give himself the best chance of success in the two races.
“The Phillip Island track is one that I really enjoy and I’m looking forward to hitting the track on Friday, it’s very fast flowing and gaining a slipstream in particular in qualifying is critical to setting up a successful weekend. I hope that we can dial in a good setup early in practice that will put us in a good position for qualifying and the races,” Wagner added.
The first round of the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) saw Aiden take two second place finishes in the weekend’s two races and the Queenslander is hopeful to capitalise on this result and his recent race form to return to the podium.
“We had a strong opening round of ASBK at Queensland Raceway taking two second place finishes in the two races so that definitely gives me confidence in addition to the new team and setups, I feel we are going to be in a good position for a strong result this weekend,” Wagner concluded.
Round two of the 2014 Australian Superbike Championship will take place at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Victoria on 18-20 July.
Michael Blair returning from injury
Central Coast’s Michael Blair will make his comeback to competitive motorcycle racing at this weekend’s second round of the Australian Superbike Championship at Phillip Island following a crash that resulted in a severe hand injury at February’s opening round of the World Superbike Championship at the Victorian track.
Michael was competing in the Australian Supersport support category at the World Superbike opener when he suffered a heavy injury to his hand which would prevent him from racing for the first half of the year. Though he hasn’t been able to compete on the bike, Blair has placed a heavy emphasis on physical and mental preparation ahead of his return this weekend.
“I’m really looking forward to being back on the bike in a competitive race, it’s been a long time since the crash in February and in that time I’ve worked really hard on fitness and recovery in order to be prepared for this weekend so I’m looking forward to being back racing against some of the best riders in the country,” Blair said.
As he continues his recovery, Michael remains focussed on increasing his race fitness with numerous events planned over the coming months. The break has also allowed Blair and his team to ensure their Yamaha R6 Supersport bikes are fully prepared for the impending races.
“My hand is still not fully recovered so that will still impact on my ability in racing however ultimately getting race laps under my belt is critical for the second half of this year. We have worked hard on preparing the bikes in my time off so we are looking forward to hitting the ground running from the first practice on Saturday,” Blair added.
The continued off-track support of Michael is something he credits to his positive outlook for the remainder of the season being back on the bike, with his sponsors committing to ensuring he will return to the top of his game in the near future.
“I have to thank all my sponsors, my family and my friends for their continued support over the last five and a half months that I have been off the bike. I have to make special mention to Yamaha and Arai Helmets for their support of me, it’s a great feeling to have such well-known and successful brands behind me. It certainly hasn’t been easy but I’m looking forward to rewarding them with some good results over the rest of this year and into 2015,” Blair concluded.
2014 ASBK -Round Two – Phillip Island – Schedule & Entry List
Saturday 19th July
- 0910-0930 Production Practice 20 mins
- 0935-0955 EVO Unlimited Senior Practice 20 mins
- 1000-1030 Supersport Practice 30 mins
- 1035-1055 Moto3/125GP Practice 20 mins
- 1100-1130 Superbike Practice 30 mins
- 1140-1200 Production Qualifying 20 mins
- 1205-1225 EVO Unlimited Senior Qualifying 20 mins
- 1230-1250 Supersport Qualifying 1 20 mins
- Lunch
- 1320-1340 Moto3/125GP Qualifying 20 mins
- 1345-1405 Superbike Qualifying 1 20 mins
- 1410-1430 Production Race 1 Six laps
- 1435-1455 EVO Unlimited Senior Race 1 Eight laps
- 1500-1520 Supersport Qualifying 2 20 mins
- 1525-1545 Superbike Qualifying 2 20 minis
- 1550-1610 Moto3/125GP Race 1 Eight laps
- 1615-1625 Supersport Superpole 10 mins
- 1630-1640 Superbike Superspole 10 mins
Sunday 20th July
- 0915-0925 Production Warm Up 10 mins
- 0930-0940 EVO Unlimited Warm Up 10 mins
- 0945-0955 Supersport Warm Up 10 mins
- 1000-1010 Moto3/125GP Warm Up 10 mins
- 1015-1025 Superbike Warm Up 10 mins
- 1035-1055 Production Race 2 Six laps
- 1100-1120 Evo Unlimited Senior Race 2 Eight laps
- 1122-1200 Supersport Race 1 Twelve laps
- 1205-1225 Moto3/125GP Race 2 Eight laps
- 1230-1305 Superbike Race 1 Twelve laps
- Lunch Break 25 mins
- 1330-1350 Production Race 3 Six laps
- 1355-1415 EVO Unlimited Senior Race 3 Eight laps
- 1420-1455 Supersport Race 2 Twelve laps
- 1500-1520 Moto3/125GP Eight laps
- 1525-1600 Superbike Race 2 Twelve laps
Superbike Entry List
- Phil Czaj – Aprilia RSV4
- Nick Marsh – Aprilia RSV4
- Glenn Allerton – BMW HP4
- Ben Nicolson – BMW S 1000 RR
- Ryan Lawes – Honda Fireblade
- Phil Lovett – Kawasaki ZX-10R
- Stephen Mion – Kawasaki ZX-10R
- Richard Ellis – BMW S 1000 RR
- Linden Magee – BMW HP4
- Paul Dutton – Ducati 1198
- Chris Deckert – Honda Fireblade
- Kym Grosser – Honda Fireblade
- Adam Senior – Suzuki GSX-R1000
- Chris Perini – Ducati Panigale
- Jed Metcher – Kawasaki ZX-10R
- Josh Cuming – Yamaha YZF-R1
Supersport Entry List
- Daniel Falzon – Yamaha YZF-R6
- David Barker – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Callum Alderson – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Chris Gallagher – Suzuki GSX-R600
- Sam Lambert – Triumph Daytona R
- Patrick Li – Kawasaki ZX-6R
- Kane Burns – Suzuki GSX-R600
- Aiden Wagner – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Chris Early – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Matthew Davies – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Joshua Leonard – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Justin DiGiandomenico – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Ryan Taylor – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Luke Burgess – Kawasaki ZX-6R
- Hudson Pitt – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Brenton Hyde – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Mitch Levy – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Cam Russell – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Michael Blair – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Chris Quinn – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Kieran Maher – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Adrian DiGiandomenico – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Aaron Linham – Triumph Daytona
- Anthony Nicolo – Suzuki GSX-R600
EVO Unlimited
- Max Jordan – Kawasaki ZX-10R
- Nick Marsh – Aprilia RSV4
- Glenn Allerton – BMW HP4
- Ben Nicolson – BMW S 1000 RR
- Ryan Lawes – Honda Fireblade
- Phil Lovett – Kawasaki ZX-10R
- Chris Edmunds – Suzuki GSX-R1000
- Chas Hern – Suzuki GSX-R1000
- Greg Stevens – Honda Fireblade
- Linden Magee – BMW HP4
- Richard Ellis – BMW S 1000 RR
- David Trotter – Suzuki GSX-R1000
- Max Crocker – FTR M211
- Chris Deckert – Honda Fireblade
- Paul Dutton – Ducati
- Kym Grosser – Honda Fireblade
- Ryan Taylor – Yamaha YZF-R6
- Andrew Ord – Suzuki GSX-R
- Richard Cannatelli – Kawasaki
- Shane McKenzie – Aprilia RSV4
- Chris Perini – Ducati Panigale
- Greg Epis – Suzuki GSX-R1000
- Josh Cuming – Yamaha
- Mark McHenry – Triumph Daytona
Moto 3 / 125cc
- Callum Barker – Honda
- Sarah Fairbrother – Honda
- Matt Barton – Honda
- Tayla Relph – Honda
- Ted Collins – Honda
- Tom Bramich – Honda
- Benjamin Leonard – Honda
- Lachlan Kavney – Honda
- Lachlan Epis – Moriwaki KTM
- Chris Boulton – Honda RS
- Josh Mercieca – Honda
250/300 Production
- Harrick Simons – Kawasaki 300
- Kagan Simons – Kawasaki 250
- Tom Bramich – Kawasaki 300
- Luke Sanders – Kawasaki 250
- Chris Gallagher – Kawasaki 250
- Helen Parker – Kawasaki 250
- Ross Lush – Kawasaki 250
- Grant Jordan – Kawasaki 250
- Greg Epis – Kawasaki 250
- Brian Bezzina – Kawasaki 250
- Craig White – Formula 400 Honda
- Jack Gallagher – Kawasaki 250
- Tim Boujos – Kawasaki 250
- Melanie Crockford – Kawasaki 300
- Mark Ferrari – Kawasaki 250
- Adam Nicolson – Formula 400 Kawasaki
- Mitch Kavney – Kawasaki 300
- Lachlan Epis – Honda 250
- Luke Davies – Kawasaki 250
- Jessica Derrin – Kawasaki 250
- Joshua McHenry – Kawasaki 250
- Tyler Ferrari – Kawasaki 250
Ticket prices for the event are as follows:
SINGLE DAY
- $15.00 per adult
- $10.00 per child (12-16 years old)
- $10.00 per concession (must show valid concession card)
WEEKEND
- $30.00 per adult
- $20.00 per child
- $20.00 per concession (must show valid concession card)
Group Admission
- $40 per Family (2 adult, 2 children) single day
- $80 per Family (2 adult, 2 children) Weekend
