Motorcycling Northern Territory

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Fans gear up for non-stop entertainment at this year’s MotoGP™

Filed Under: News, Road Racing

Fans can get even closer to the edge this year, with the world’s best riders set to fight it out for the chequered flag at the Michelin® Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2018, 26 – 28 October.
 
The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit sets the perfect scene for racing on two wheels, and this year’s event is set to be better than ever with a bumper line-up of entertainment both on and off track.   
 
Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO, Andrew Westacott, can’t wait for the likes of Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez and Australia’s very own Jack Miller to hit our shores for the ultimate showdown.
 
“In addition to the international MotoGP™, Moto2™, Moto3™ on-track action, not to mention Australian Superbikes and the Australian Supersport 300, this year’s off-track entertainment line-up will have fans spoilt for choice. With everything from a lively GP Expo, fan stages and food trucks to RAAF aerial displays and the Junior GP, we have something for everyone,” Westacott said.
 
Secure bike parking exists for all fans riding their bikes, but for those still deciding on their travel options, from as little as $39 you could be on your way to the Island via Catch-A-Coach. Forget parking costs and designated drivers and jump on a five-star coach and be driven straight to the track and back again in comfort.
 
For the locals, the Community Day is back again, with Bass Coast Shire residents receiving complimentary General Admission to the event on Friday.
 
Fans can once again expect a jam-packed entertainment schedule, with the popular GP Expo precinct brimming with unique memorabilia and new products, as well as a decked out Urban Alley, housing the Urban Chop Shop, Urban Artists and the Custom Plates Urban Garage.
 
A BMX stunt show will thrill onlookers, and fans will be flocking to the Fan Forum stages to meet their heroes and have their merchandise signed by the stars of MotoGP™.
 
With so much happening on the ground, don’t forget to look up to the sky and take in the show-stopping acrobatics of the Royal Australian Air Force aerial displays.
 
Free all for all fans, the Red Bull Fan Cave will house some of the best seats on Gardner Straight and bring together a MotoGP™ gaming experience, live DJ and outdoor balcony area within arm’s reach of the racing action.
 
With admission for kids 14 and under free*, they will be thrilled to see the Junior GP by Honda back again, giving junior racers a chance to test their skills at a purpose-built circuit in Gardner Village.
 
MotoGP™ fans are covered this year with six brand new weather-protected shelters positioned near Bass Straight and Lukey Heights grandstands, Turns 1 and 8, as well as more in the Highside campground.
 
The Gardner Premium Grandstand has also had a makeover, offering undercover seating in a prime position. Overlooking the start/finish line and Pit Lane, fans are in the hot seat with superior views of the bikes as they roar out of Turn 12 and along the Gardner Straight, before disappearing into Turn 1.
 
The Campgrounds have just stepped up a gear, with Pre-Pitched Tents now available. Located in the Highside Family Friendly Campground, enjoy the convenience of a tent already set up and waiting for you – simply choose from Single, Twin, Triple or Quad share.
 
With more amenities and showers, improved ground protection, as well as live music across the three nights, there’s never been a better time to complete your Phillip Island MotoGP™ experience and camp next to the circuit.
 
Tickets are selling fast and with plenty of accommodation options remaining down at the Island, so now is the time to grab your mates and head down for an epic, adrenalin-fuelled weekend away!
 
*Kids 14 and under go free with any Adult General Admission ticket.

 

Toby Price is FIM Cross-Country Rally World Champion

Filed Under: News, Road Racing

After five days of intense racing and more than 1,250 kilometres of special stages, Toby Price (KTM) could hardly believe that he had not only won the last race of the season but he had also been crowned FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Champion.

In the quad category, Aleksandr Maksimov (Yamaha) managed to come through to take the FIM Quad Cross-Country World Championship, despite a number of difficulties. The title of FIM Junior Cross-Country champion returns to Maciej Giemza (KTM Orlen).

Wind and clouds greeted riders at the finish of the Rally of Morocco, the stage finish located a few kilometres from Ifrane at around 2,000 metres above sea level. But the chilly weather did not dampen the festive mood of the riders who crossed the finish line.

Toby Price (KTM) opened the road on the two stages that were held on the last day and won the rally and the FIM world title. “It’s been a long time since I won,” said the amicable Australian.

“If I had been told in Abu Dhabi that I would win the title of World Champion, I would have laughed. I had landed heavily jumping a broken dune and was suffering terribly with my back. It was not the best way to start the championship. I often came close to winning, but this time I had the Baraka and it feels really good!”

Second-placed Matthias Walkner (KTM) loved the new format of the Rally of Morcoco organised by David Castera. “I really appreciated all the stages,” said the Austrian. “They were a mixture of pebbles, sand, dunes and difficult navigation. The road book was well done and accurate. Finishing second on the podium gives me confidence for the races to come…”

American rider Ricky Brabec (Honda) finished in third place and he enjoyed the Rally of Morocco. “The terrain looks a bit like California,” he said. “And the road book was well laid out. The race was hard and we went from the extreme heat of the desert to the cold and the rain, but I’m happy to be at the finish.”

After a good start to the season, Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) had to cede the status of number one to his friend Toby Price. The sporting and smiling runner-up said: “I am second in the championship. It is a beautiful place and I’m happy because I finished every race on the podium…except here! The last few months have been very intense. We ran four races and my team did a great job, so I thank them for that.”

While a group of Moroccan musicians lit up the atmosphere in the Berber tent, all the riders reflected on the race and spared a thought for the Argentinian duo of Kevin Benavides (Honda) – who retired on the first day with thigh bruising – and Franco Caimi (Yamaha), who was less fortunate and fractured his right femur on the fourth stage.

There was no luck either for Xavier de Soultrait (Yamaha), who had a mechanical problem in the last stage and Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha), who fell in the final kilometres and still finished sixth overall.

Aleksandr Maksimov (Yamaha) won the quad category and the FIM Quad Cross-Country World Cup title, despite breaking his saddle support in the Marathon stage.

“I had to find a stake to make a splint,” said the Russian. “Then I had to ride the 350km standing.” Turning to Rafal Sonik (Yamaha), he continued: “I warmly thank Rafal because he helped me yesterday and, without him, I would not have finished the race. As for the title, I don’t know what to say..I don’t know what I feel…”

After a very good season, the Junior title returned to Maciej Giemza (KTM Orlen). “I congratulate Toby for his achievement. He is the fastest rider at the moment. To become like him, I will have to train a little more,” the Pole said with a smile.

Official Ranking of SS5

1.Ricky Brabec (Honda) 2hrs 31min 56sec
2.Toby Price (KTM) @12sec
3.Matthias Walkner (KTM) @17sed
4.Sam Sunderland (KTM) @ 1min 59sec
5.Paulo Gonçalves (Honda) @ 2min
6.Stefan Svitko (KTM) @ 6min 49sec
7.Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) @ 7min 13sec
8.Andrew Short (Husqvarna) @ 8min 18sec
9.Adrian Van Beveren (Yamaha) @ 8min 51sec
10.Lorenzo Santolino (Sherco TVS) @ 10min 03sec

Official General Classification

1.Toby Price (KTM) 16hrs 08min 37sec
2.Matthias Walkner (KTM) @ 7min 32sec
3.Ricky Brabec (Honda) @ 16min 35sec
4.Pablo Quintanilla (Husqvarna) @ 34min 52sec
5.Paulo Gonçalves (Honda) @ 49min 14sec
6.Adrian Van Beveren (Yamaha) @ 57nin 03sec
7.Andrew Short (Husqvarna) @ 1hr 24min 17sec
8.Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Honda) @ 1hr 25min 58sec
9.Sam Sunderland (KTM) @ 2hrs 10min 24sec
10.Stefan Svitko (KTM) @2hrs 20min 34sec

FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship Bike
1.Toby Price 91 pts
2.Pablo Quintanilla 85 pts
3.Walkner Matthias 75 pts

FIM Quad Cross-Country World Cup
1.Aleksandr Maksimov 105 pts
2.Rafal Sonik 61 pts
3.Nicolas Cavigliasso 56 pts

FIM Junior Cross-Country World Cup
1.Maciej Giemza 90 pts
2.Jose Ignacio Cornejo 84 pts
3.Luciano Benavides 51 pts

FIM Veteran Trophy
1.Rafal Sonik 75 pts
2.Kees Koolen 47 pts
3.Benjamin Young 37 pts

bLU cRU Right Behind the Oceania Rookies Cup

Filed Under: Juniors, News, Road Race, Road Racing

Motorcycling Australia (MA) is proud to announce a ground-breaking partnership with Yamaha Motor Australia and the newly announced Oceania Rookies Cup, with bLU cRU becoming the official naming rights partner for the next two years. Launching in 2019, the bLU cRU Oceania Rookies Cup will be an all-inclusive road race academy for young junior riders to show off their talents on a national stage.

Announced last week, the bLU cRU Oceania Rookies Cup is an academy focused at developing Oceania’s next big road race star, with the door open to all kids aged 11 to under 16 regardless of experience. It will provide them with everything they need to take to the track for an affordable price of AUD $7,750 (excluding travel and accommodation) for the entire season! Don’t forget that the program will include entries, garage space, the use of a race ready Yamaha YZF-R15, transportation of the bike, mechanical support, full racing gear and so much more.Junior development is at the core of the bLU cRU program and that is precisely why Yamaha Motor Australia have backed the academy. The bLU cRU Oceania Rookies Cup will be a perfect platform for young juniors to develop their skills before moving up to towards the Australian Supersport 300.

Yamaha believe in the natural progression of this program as riders start on a YZF-R15, which then leads them to a YZF-R3, YZF-R6 and finally the YZF-R1 Superbike. That’s the bLU cRU philosophy.

Yamaha Motor Australia’s Motorsports Division Manager, Ray Howard commented; “The bLU cRU Oceania Rookies Cup is the proving ground for future champions and the starting point for a potentially long and successful road racing career for bLU cRU riders. Powered by the aspiration delivered by Yamaha’s MotoGP riders, and right the way down to the local YRT team, the Oceania Rookies will embark on an exciting journey. A journey that can take them into the R3 Cup and SS300 class racing on a twin cylinder YZF-R3 and then onto the dominant model in the Supersport class – the YZF-R6. The R-series models offer a platform to excel at every level – much like in the MX space where junior riders can start on YZ65 in the YZ65 Cup and progress all the way up to the reigning MX1 champion YZ450F.”

“bLU cRU is the environment that brings Yamaha’s blue and white world together in one space no matter your age or riding level. Our aim is to expand the number of junior riders signing up for road racing and to offer a stable platform to launch a successful career. By making it super easy and affordable to race, the bLU cRU Oceania Rookies Cup is the perfect entry point for riders hoping to become the next Valentino Rossi. And because Rossi is a member of the bLU cRU – as well as the youngest rookie in the Cup – there is a direct connection that makes the aspiration more real.”

MA’s Operations Director, Martin Port shared; “We are very pleased to announce a partnership with Yamaha Motor Australia through its bLU cRU program. Yamaha’s commitment to junior development is profound and the possibilities are endless, with the bLU cRU Oceania Rookies Cup kicking off in 2019. This will be an accessible program that will support Juniors on and off the track. I couldn’t think of a better bike than the YZF-R15 for this cup and a more fitting partner with bLU cRU right behind it.”

Opportunity to Register your Interest is now available!
Head to ASBK.com.au and fill out your details today. The opportunity will close October 31st, so don’t miss out!

Stay tuned to ASBK and MA websites for upcoming announcements including partners, expression of interest and so much more.

International Spotlight with Kim Krebs

Filed Under: News, Road Race, Road Racing

Motorcycling Australia (MA) was lucky enough to sit down with Land Speed racer, Kim Krebs, who is currently making a name for herself as the Fastest Australian Woman. Kim spoke to MA about her strangest overseas experience to date and how she trains for each Land Speed event.

Where are you currently competing?

I’ve just returned from the United States of America (USA), where I was competing at the AMA National Land Speed Grand Championships. This is an event that is run through the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA.

What’s the hardest thing about adapting to your new country?

Driving on the other side of the road and finding a somewhere to have a decent meal. (For some reason, vegetables aren’t a very common and so much of their food is flavoured sweet).

What do you miss most about home?

We’re on the Salt Flats at dawn and don’t leave until sunset everyday. Sunrise and sunset sounds almost silent. I miss the familiar dawn chorus from birds like magpies.

What is your preparation/training regime like?

Land Speed Racing is a sport that you can’t practice for. You need to treat every run like it’s your only one. That said, the first run of the event is usually the slowest. To stay fit between events, I ride a bicycle around the Adelaide Hills and during the race meet I try and go for a morning run each day.

What’s been a highlight for you this year?

in March this year, Swiss Performance partnered with Dry Lake Racers Australia to run the inaugural World Speed Trials at Lake Gairdner, SA. I was one of 11 competitors in this FIM sanctioned event, and I managed to set a new world Landspeed record. Being able to set a world record in your own country is very special.

What is your single most motivating force?

I’m motivated and inspired by my race partners, Greg Watters and Jim Higgins. We have an unconditional belief in each other. We don’t doubt what each other does, as we build the bikes, and we know that we can go fast – very fast. In a strange way, that motivates me.

Tell us a bit more about what you hope to achieve and what you have already achieved in 2018?

My fastest record (AMA) is 241mph, and my goal is to set a world or national record over 250mph. In particular, I’d like to set that record on our 750cc bike. The fastest we’ve gone on the 750cc bike is 239mph, so we’re getting close. My achievement this year is to bump up the turbocharged 1600cc class to 213mph.

What’s your strangest overseas experience been so far?

In 2011, I received the equivalent of the American Woman Motorcyclist of the year. That was 12 months before I had the similar recognition in Australia.

Do you have a special message for your fans back home?

Land Speed Racing isn’t about being the fastest ever, it’s about seeing what YOU can build and how fast YOU can make that machine go. For that reason, you connect with like minded people, and that makes us the richest group of people. So I’d like to remind everyone that we’re all capable of great things. It’s just all the better if it involves a bike.

Favourite thing to do besides motorcycling?

I enjoy anything that gets me outdoors and keeps me under that huge sky of ours. By traveling overseas I’ve realised that our country is a very beautiful place, and our skies are a brilliant blue that you just don’t see elsewhere.

Embarrassing fact about you?

I once completed a record qualifying run, just after dawn at Bonneville. When the FIM Official came up to me and asked why I rode the bike without the seat and tail piece, I had to admit that it was early and I was still half asleep, so we forgot to put it on before I launched!

Describe yourself in three words

Fastest woman record-holder

The MA Alliance Explained: Q&A Part 1 

Filed Under: ATV, Classic Motocross, Dirt Track, Enduro, Historic Road Racing, Important Announcements, Minikhana, Motocross, News, Officials, Road Race, Road Racing, Speedway, Supercross, Supermoto, Track, Trial, Veterans

What’s in it for me? No doubt the first question you asked when the Motorcycling Australia (MA) Alliance Agreement (AA) was announced.

You, as members of MA are at the heart of the agreement. We aim to provide an economic and safe environment for participants and volunteers from all the various disciplines, whether you are a racer, a social rider, or even just an interested observer.

There are a lot of challenges and opportunities facing motorcycling in Australia – rising costs, more stringent safety requirements (higher insurance premiums), the lure of other activities (decreasing member base) and changing requirements of our riders – more ride parks, adventure riding, dirt bike rallies, ride days etc. These are real issues facing the sport which need to be faced as a cohesive team.

For quite some time all of the State Controlling Boards (SCBs) have thought long and hard about the most effective and efficient way to address these challenges and opportunities.

To retain the SCB’s autonomy (direct accountability to their members and securing their assets) while gaining the benefits of acting nationally – reduced duplication, standardising process and products, providing a national voice in support of the sport we love, the SCB’s and MA have agreed to form an Alliance where each member has an equal voice and commits to work together to achieve what’s best for motorcycling.

At this point, Motorcycling Victoria have elected not to participate in this Alliance, however we remain hopeful that they will join in the future to ensure a truly single voice in order for motorcycling to prosper in Australia.”

To stay up to date with everything involved in the new MA Alliance, head to our website, Facebook and Instagram.