ASBK riders head West for opening round of WA Superbike Championship
Motorcycle road racing action returns to Barbagallo Raceway this Sunday – April 26 with the opening round of the Weld West State Road Racing Championships and the biggest entry ever for a state championship round – 136 competitors!
Three east coast based Supersport riders will be competing this weekend, in preparation for the National YMF Australian Superbike Championships heading to WA on May 22-24th. Not since 1996 has WA seen a full national championship round.
There are many new competitors looking to make a name for themselves this season with some having already shown their ability at the recent season warm-up Club Race Day.
In the premier class – Weld West Superbike Championship all of the main combatants from last season have returned. A number of A graders will be looking to knock local resident and 2014 reigning Superbike Champion Cameron Stronach (Northside Timber Flooring/Holdfast BMW S1000RR) off the top ranking. Darch’s Ralph Mammoliti (Kawasaki ZX10R) and Attadale’s Anthony McFadden (BMW S1000RR) both placed 2nd and 3rd consecutively and will be hungry for a Championship win this year.
A full grid in the Hughes Limos Supersport Championship class will go to battle for line honours. Local and national contender Thyron Van Vuuren (SP Racing Honda) is keen to show the visiting riders what he can do at Barbagallo. Thyron contested both Rounds 1 and 2 in the national Series, finishing 4th overall at the renowned Phillip Island Circuit in February and unfortunately crashed out whilst sitting in 2nd place at the recent Morgan Park Queensland round. Other contenders for the weekends results could be South African Michelle Marais (SP Racing Jaguar Steel Fabrications Kawasaki 600), Tim Boujos and young gun Jack Twisse (Yamaha 600)
The new Production 300 class is causing some interest, open to 150, 250 and 300 Production bikes it is an affordable entry class. Michelle Marais will have to be one of the hot contenders for this WA Series as she currently leads the National 300 Production Championship after a great ride at the Queensland round. Last year’s state Series Production winner Tim Boujos will be out to retain his 2014 winning performance and giving Marais a run for her money. Both Boujos and Marais will be competing in the WA Supersport Championship.
Fastline 125 GP Racing is the only surviving 2 stroke racing left in the country, a great class for young junior riders to focus on, but it also appeals to a number of older experienced racers and Dave Doughty and Dave Manson are both looking to give the youngsters a run to the finish line.
The three wheeled action of sidecar will also be competing on the day with a mix of Formula 1 1000cc and F2 600cc outfits along with the Clubman Class racing – the popular entry level for new riders on 600cc and 1000cc machines will see good strong fields with many new season riders. In the Cully’s Yamaha Club 600 Class newcomer Paul Woods should give the experienced Malcom Johnson and Andrew Biffen a challenge plus Kiwi rider Geoff Booth has shown he is not to be discounted.
MV Agusta fans can support Bunbury based Donsy Nel in the Chain Reaction Motorcycles Club 1000 , he will be up against the likes of newcomer Steve Barrington who has shown good form pushing him into C grade level at the start of the season. Past 125GP state champion Scott Pettit steps up onto the new model R1 Yamaha 1000, but will have to contender with a few of the regular Club riders, with Daniel Rignall (Honda 1000) one to watch.
Sunday’s Practice and qualifying commences at 8.40am with racing from 10.30 and 1.00pm.
Barbagallo Raceway Wanneroo is located end of Wattle Ave East, off Old Yanchep Road off Joondalup Drive.
Further information from the MCRC can be found at www.mcrcwa.com.au or phone 08 9409 1002
Club classes announced for Barbagallo round of 2015 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship
There is only one month to go until the third round of the 2015 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli makes it’s way to Western Australia.
Australia’s oldest and only truly national Superbike Championship will head to Barbagallo Raceway from 22-24 March – to a round that will prove critical in all class championships.
Outside of the Series’ Championship classes, the event will feature two Clubman Classes of competition.
The classes, which form a key part of the race schedule, will include:
- Club Challenge 600CC
- Club Challenge 1000CC
Speaking about the addition of the classes, Motorcycle Racing Club of WA Administrator and Event Coordinator Denise Stronach said that it provided riders with a great opportunity to be part of the national action.
“The Club Challenge classes for this round are based on our State Championship club entry level classes which are the up to 600 clubman class and 601-1000 clubman class.
“They are both very popular classes and we usually have close to full grids for them which is 29 for Barbagallo.
“We’ve had 14 new riders participate at our first race meeting this year and we’re expecting a good flow on for the Australian round in May.
“Some of the riders would be hesitant to enter in the Supersport and Superbike classes due to inexperience, but it is a great opportunity for them to still be part of the national round.”
Both classes in the Club Challenge will be open to C, D and Novice graded riders and entries will be open until close of business on Friday 8 May
