Matthew Walters has won the prestigious RK Chains Samurai Award for his outstanding effort in 2013. The award, the most highly regarded rider recognition award in Australian road racing, is in its 22nd year and has been awarded to riders such as Troy Corser, Anthony Gobert, Anthony West, Broc Parkes, Mike Jones and many more. The roll of honour is a who’s who of road racing and Matt Walters has earned a spot by dominating ASBK Pro Stock and winning the title, winning the one-day Australasian Superbike Championship and finishing fourth overall in FX Superbike.
The Kawasaki Connection/Rover Coaches rider from Cessnock, NSW, will return to the track on his ZX-10R Ninja in ASC for 2014 and will be presented with the trophy at round one, March 14-16.
Jeff Ware, editor, Rapid Bikes magazine, will present the trophy.
“The panel have voted Matthew Walters as the winner and I would like to congratulate Matt. He rode very well during 2013, really giving the established front-runners and factory riders a hurry up and I see no reason why he can’t win the title in 2014.
“The RK Chains Samurai Award is awarded to the ‘Rider Of The Year’ based on best new talent, most improved and outstanding effort. Matt ticks all of those boxes.
“A special thanks must got to Link International for continued support of up and coming young riders in Australia, with both a high commitment of sponsorship and with this prestigious annual trophy”.
RK Chains Samurai Award Roll of Honour
2013 Matthew Walters
2012 Josh Hook
2011 Mike Jones
2010 Troy Herfoss
2009/2010 Not Awarded
2008 Pat Medcalf
2007 Jason O’Halloran
2006 Jamie Stauffer
2005 Mark Aitchison
2004 Adam Fergusson
2003 Kevin Curtain
2002 Shannon Johnson
2001 Josh Brookes
2000 Craig Coxhell
1999 Broc Parkes
1998 Anthony West
1997 Martin Craggill
1996 Mark Willis
1995 Rip Crocker
1994 Anthony Gobert
1993 Troy Corser
1992 Michael O’Connor
1991 Mat Mladin
1990 Daryl Beattie
1989 Rene Bongers
1988 Mick Doohan
1987 Grant Hodson
