Features 16 Jan 2013

Cycle Central: 2

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Welcome to a delayed edition of Cycle Central, our weekly look at the state of the sport in Australia and the Aussies abroad from behind the scenes on CycleOnline.com.au. Why is this edition of the show late? That’s because I’ve been on the way to the US on duty with MotoOnline.

At the moment the Australian road racing season is relatively quiet, apart from the fact that Yamaha Racing with Ipone officially announced their line-up for the 2013 season this week. Kevin Curtain is back, as is teammate Rick Olson alongside him. The release actually made for more questions than what we had before it even arrived in the inbox though…

Curtain will focus on the R1 this year (apart from his World Supersport wildcard at Phillip Island), defending his FX-Superbike crown for the 736th time, and also campaigning Formula Oz. Meanwhile, Olson will now also do double duty riding both FX-Superbike and the FX600 title that he’d won previously.

And the question? Where does Curtain’s Formula Oz entry leave Cru Halliday? He developed the modified version of YRT’s R1 in 2012 and won the title, but they definitely won’t be running two of them next year. John Redding has already told us that he would like to see Halliday on an R6 this year, which leaves what we believe will be an FX-Superbike alongside him in the Yamalube-backed team. As for that ride, which was formerly Mike Jones’, it’s up in the air right now.

What that mostly depends on is Team Suzuki’s ASBK structure, because that team is also unconfirmed right now from what we know. The rumour is that if Wayne Maxwell or Brodie Waters don’t land a seat there, one of them will head to YRT. My money is on Suzuki going racing, but calls to Phil Tainton so far remain unreturned (maybe he’s still on holidays, I don’t know).

Team Honda Racing, on the other hand, is fully confirmed with Jamie Stauffer and Josh Hook and they are hosting an upcoming test day at Phillip Island in the lead-up to the season opener next month. Here’s the note we got from Paul and Laura Free this week:

Kevin Curtain and Rick Olson will be back at YRT in FX for the 2013 season.

Motologic would like to invite riders competing in the Superbike/Prostock and 600 Supersport classes in the 2013 ASBK championship to a test day at the newly re-surfaced Phillip Island circuit on Wednesday, 13 February 2013.

In order for everyone to gain maximum track time, numbers are limited. This is a fantastic opportunity to kick-start the racing season with a solid day of testing at the Phillip Island circuit.

The cost for the day is $660 per person, which includes MA permits, paramedics, marshals, and shared garaging. Contact Paul Free at Motologic to book your place via [email protected].

It was also awesome to see this week Racers Edge confirm that Beau Beaton will be back for a full season in 2013 aboard the team’s Suzuki GSX-R1000 in ASBK. He’ll be another rider on Pirelli tyres, as will Glenn Allerton and the likes of Ben Henry. Meanwhile, Suzuki and Honda are scheduled to return with Dunlop as they have for many years.

Speaking of the World Superbike event at Phillip Island earlier, how would you like to be a marshal? Check this out if you and anybody you know may be interested in the role:

With the season opener of the World Superbike Championship (WSBK) at Phillip Island fast approaching, there are still some openings for race officials at the event.

Where else do you get the chance to see world champions close up in action and to be a part of one of Australia’s foremost international events at a world class venue?

Any enthusiast with a basic understanding of motorcycle racing will fit in immediately because of the leadership structure built into the event, and the briefing process all officials are taken through at the event.

Free camping is available at the circuit for officials, and each official gets a free pass for a guest as well. Application forms are available from the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit website.

Become a marshal at the 2013 World Superbikes at Phillip Island.

The 2013 World Superbike Championship season opener will be held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from 22-24 February.

While we’re sharing notes here before we wrap this up, this piece of very interesting information came through from Chas Hern’s C.M. Racing Team regarding women’s racing in the Australian Superbike series (250 Production category):

ASBK have finalised rules and have announced there will be a Women’s Australian road race championship for 2013. The 250 Production and Australian Women’s Championship will be a combined grid for 2013 and will run over six rounds at five circuits over Australia. C.M. Racing Team are pleased to announce we have bikes for sale and also an amazing lease package available for 2013.

We can deliver the Kawasaki Ninja 250cc bikes to the circuit, provide under cover pit area, mechanics, bike set up, coaching, personal training, nutritional information, supply and fit tyres, and in between race meeting servicing will be taken care of by C.M Racing and our amazing sponsors who have made this possible.

Series winner will take home a Kawasaki ZXR 250 race bike and the top three riders will have a chance to test the C.M Racing teams Suzuki GSX-R 600. Interested party’s should contact myself A.S.A.P as bikes are limited. Chas Hern: 0459 415 787.

That’s all for another week, stay tuned for some updates to be implemented across CycleOnline toward the end of this month as we gear up for the big season ahead. Thanks for reading and remember to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram via CycleOnline.

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