With many road racers coming from a dirt bike background, South Australian rider Daniel Falzon readily admits his path to the forefront of national competition has been a “bit different to others”.

Falzon’s first race on any motorbike was in 2008, when his father entered him in a MRRDA 150 juniors event. Prior to that, he had only ridden a road bike “three or four times”, so it was definitely a case of diving in the deep end.

It was clear Falzon had a knack for the sport as he rode to a 17th place finish, and slowy moved through the ranks as the year progressed and his experience on different race tracks grew.

As seems to be his tendency, Falzon moved forth in leaps and bounds. By 2009 he had wrapped up the championship, and, with a transition year riding 125GP machines as well as racing 150s, he was soon eyeing a move to the 600 class.

“I knew straight away when I went onto the 600 that this was the path I needed to follow, this is where I would be most comfortable,” said Falzon, after his first Superstock round in 2010.

Daniel Falzon opened his 2013 season in style at Phillip Island. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

In his first Formula Xtreme event, he went on to finish third behind Rick Olson and the vastly-experienced Kevin Curtain, making many sit up and take notice. He went on to finish fifth that year and again was already targeting the next challenge, the Superstock class in the ASBK.

“2011 was our first year in Superstock and it started off pretty well,” reflects Falzon. “We were fifth at the first round and every round after that we began to make up more positions. By round five I had taken my first win at Phillip Island, which was in the pouring rain.”

Falzon identifies that exact day as the determining factor in the path his family-run team would take. “That decided it, 2012 was the year we were really going to go for it.”

Racing is not a cheap hobby, as any privateer can attest to. For 2012, Jon Daniels Racing was fortunate enough to land the outside industry sponsorship of Caterpillar, a major boost which meant Falzon would had the opportunity to get in more track time and really hone his skills. As well as studying, he put everything he had into training, knowing that this too would be crucial to help him reach his goal.

He went on to win the 2012 Superstock 600 championship in convincing fashion, and said from half way through the year he was already looking to the next goal.

“We knew from mid-2012 that we wanted to go to race Supersport. That’s the highest category you can race at. That’s the chance to pit yourself against the best guys in the category and really test yourself.”

With few expectations, Falzon and his team fronted up to the 2013 ASBK opener at Phillip Island with the goal of a top five finish. Within days, Falzon was a Supersport race winner and the new points leader.

“To go there and win was a huge shock,” he continued. “The adrenaline kicked in and I just put myself in the right place on the last lap to get home first – it was amazing, well beyond what we had expected.”

Falzon celebrates his Supersport win at Phillip Island. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

The Falzon family unit has banded together to write this humble privateer’s success story.

“It’s a family effort, for sure. My brother, who has just finished a four-year mechanical engineering degree, works on the bike. Dad is the team leader, the chief mechanic. Mum does all my media. It’s great to have the family involved. They’ve dedicated a lot to my success.”

With Falzon’s light-speed progression through the ranks, what could come next?

“Overseas is on our minds but it is a matter of a good offer coming up. We’re really enjoying racing here, and the support we get. There’s no point in putting all of the funding into a ride if it’s not the right one. The pinnacle of racing in Australia is a factory ride, so that would be my target for now, either in 600 or the Superbikes.”

Falzon’s natural ability make him an exciting prospect for the Australian championship, and in future years, a suitable and extremely capable addition to the list of riders flying our flag on the international stage.

Profiled:

Rider: Daniel Falzon
Team: Jon Daniels Racing
Team sponsors:
 Energy Power Systems, CAT, Yamaha Pitmans, YRD, Ficeda Imports, Shark Helmets, Berik Leathers, Ipone Oil, Bendix Brakes, R&G Racing, D.I.D Motorcycle Chain, Race Bike Services, SW Racing Motorcycle Suspension Specialist and Raceface SPF
Team website: www.jondanielsracing.com
Social networks: Facebook
Bike: Yamaha YZF-R6
Career highlights:
2012 Australian Superstock 600 Championship, 1st
2012 Café Racer Club Race Series, 1st (Steve Martin Cup)
2011 Australian Superstock 600 Championship, 2nd
2010 Australian FX600 Championship, 1st (Superstock D-grade)
2010 Phillip 6-Hour Endurance Race, 1st (Superstock 600)
2009 MRRDA CBR150 Junior National Championship, 1st
2009 Hartwell Victorian 125GP Open Championship, 1st
2009 South Australian 125GP Championship, 1st
2009 George Carrick Open Championship, 2nd
2009 Collingrove Hill Climb Junior, 1st
2009 MSA Outright Junior Points Champion