AMA Flat Track Champ set for Troy Bayliss Classic
America’s number one flat track racer Jared Mees has been confirmed to contest the 2015 Motul Pirelli Troy Bayliss Classic presented by InsureMyRide and Garden Master at Taree Motorcycle Club on Saturday January 17.
Mees, who is the current AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Champion, finished second to Marc Marquez in the recent Superprestigio in Spain and is the third AMA competitor confirmed to contest the invitation only event.
The two-time (2012/2014) Grand National Champion who has only competed in one other event outside America, said he was excited to be heading to Australia for the first time.
“I’m looking forward to racing the Troy Bayliss Classic,” Mees said. “It’s something I have had my eye on and always wanted to try out.
“I did my first race outside of America at the Superprestigo in Spain recently and look forward to racing Troy and the others in January in Australia.
Mees will ride with support from Brisbane Motorcycles Honda.
Event Organiser Troy Bayliss said this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Australians to see Mees in action.
“Jared is the current American Grand Nation Champion, he was so close to winning the Superprestio running a very close second to Marc Marquez. I am really look forward to banging bars with him at the Classic.
“This event just keeps on growing and having Jared, Sammy Halbert and Henry Wiles here is the same as having the top three Nascar drivers here for a V8 race.
“We are continuing to improve the event and this year to make it more enjoyable for the whole family we will start the Troy Bayliss Classic racing program at 1.00pm,” Bayliss advised.
Supercross champions to tackle Motul Pirelli Troy Bayliss Classic
Two of Australia’s most successful supercross racers are confirmed to contest the 2015 Motul Pirelli Troy Bayliss Classic presented by InsureMyRide and Garden Master at Taree Motorcycle Club on Saturday 17 January.
Eight-time Australian champion Jay Marmont and four-time Australian champion Dan Reardon will both join the 36 rider line-up, which includes three of America’s best flat-track racers.
Marmont, who retired from full-time racing at the end of the 2014 Australian Supercross Championship, won numerous Australian flat-track titles as a junior and said he is looking forward the event.
“I pretty much started out riding flat-track and won a heap of Australian titles between the age of 7 and 12,” Marmont said.
“I have a new 2015 Penrite Oil Honda CRF450 which I have started preparing specially for this event and hopefully, I will be able to get a bit of practice in before the event.
“I have been watching the Moto GP boys on TV the past few weeks and was down in Melbourne for the expo watching Troy and Jason (Crump) in action.
“It will be fun but I know when the gate drops I will get competitive again,” Marmont added.
While it has been two years since Dan Reardon retired from racing, the Queenslander, who raced competitively in the AMA Supercross Championship through 2008 to 2010, took to the gates last weekend for the North Brisbane Cup.
Reardon finished third, second and first in the three races despite having only ridden twice in the past two years.
“I am really looking forward to the Troy Bayliss Classic,” Reardon said. “I raced the North Brisbane Cup last weekend which was great preparation as I have really only done about five flat-track events.
“I hadn’t been behind a gate since August 2012 so I was really happy to come away with second overall and a race win last weekend.
“I was a little unsure at first, but putting my gear on and sitting on the bike brought back so many feelings and memories. It felt too comfortable so I can’t wait to get out there at the classic,” he added.
Two-time AMA Pro Grand National Singles champion Henry Wiles is also confirmed to return to contest the 2015 event.
Wiles, who is hoping for a better result in 2015, said he is looking forward to returning to Australia.
“I am very excited to be coming back to contest the Troy Bayliss Classic,” Wiles said “I enjoyed Australia very much last year.
“The people were great and the competition was tough. After racing last years’ event I hope to battle at the front this year.
Event Organiser Troy Bayliss said the 2015 rider line-up showcased a diverse mix of disciplines.
“Our rider line-up for 2015 is incredible,” Bayliss said. “It is fantastic to be able to announce two new riders in Jay Marmont and Dan Reardon.
“Dan did really well in the North Brisbane Cup last weekend and Jay is one of Australia’s most successful motocross racers so I honestly think they could make the final.
“It is also a real credit to the event to be able to confirm that two-time AMA Pro Grand National Singles champion Henry Wiles is returning in 2015,” Bayliss added.
Tickets for the January 17 event are on sale now. Anyone who purchases tickets before Christmas Eve will go into the draw to win a two-up ride with Troy Bayliss.
Brisbane motorcycle enthusiasts will have the opportunity to meet Jared Mees and Troy Bayliss at Brisbane Motorcycles between 1.00pm and 3.00pm on Friday 9th January.
