Callum Barker and his team are reaching out to the industry in hope of support for his wildcard ride at Phillip Island.

Up and coming road race talent, 16-year-old Callum Barker has been granted a wildcard opportunity to race the Moto3 class of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix next month but faces a monumental battle to make it to the grid.

The Queensland-based rider was originally informed his application had been unsuccessful in early August, but just seven days ago was told the decision had been reviewed and his entry had been approved.

While the development is positive, Barker and his family-operated team are now racing against the clock to firm up funding for entry and necessary upgrades required by the FIM.

“Due to such late notice we have been left with very little time to gather funding for entry and bike upgrades and need some very important sponsors to come on board with our team as soon as possible,” explained team manager Rebecca McVey.

“We need to order parts from the Netherlands and to have them landed in Australia takes time. FIM have said they will accept our entry fee no later than one week before the event due to the late notice.

“It seems there is still the belief that entries are paid for by the GP, like they used to, but this isn’t so.

“There is also a regulated ECU that needs to be run on the bikes and to do this we need to purchase wiring harness, dash and quick shifter to even run our bike as standard equipment does not work with the FIM equipment!”

Barker began his road race career in 2009 on Metrakit machinery before progressing to a Yamaha TZ125GP which he was able to win the TERRA Challenge upon on 2011.

In 2012 he finished second overall in both the Southern Downs Formula 3 ranks and MRRDA series riding a Honda RS125GP.

Barker currently leads the 125GP/Moto3 class of the FX-Superbike Championship, and won the Queensland Raceway round of the Australian Superbike Championship Moto3/125cc class. He also placed second overall in the five-round MRRDA Moto3 ranks.

The teenager was pleased to receive the call-up to the Moto3 grid at the 18-20 October event and thanked any prospective sponsors for support they could offer in advance.

“I’m both excited and grateful for the opportunity,” said Barker. “We might not win but I will give it my best.

“I’m just happy to have been given this once-in-a-lifetime chance to race with the world’s best, and thank everyone that has been able to get me to where I am so far.”

Expressions of interest are invited. Contact Rebecca McVey for more information at [email protected].