Source: Supplied.

Motorcycling Australia (MA) has announced the riders who have been granted wildcards for the 2015 Pramac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix to be held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on 16-18 October.

Olly Simpson and Matt Barton will join fulltime Moto3 rider Remy Gardiner on the grid to make it three Australian riders in the class.

Simpson (Olly Simpson Racing) has been competing in the 2015 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and currently sits in eighth position with one round remaining in the championship. Simpson is looking forward to taking another step forward in his dream of competing in the MotoGP and representing his country at the same time.

“To be selected as a wildcard in the Moto3 class for the 2015 Australian MotoGP is a huge achievement in knowing you will race against the world’s best Moto3 riders,” he said. “I took away lots of experience after racing in last years Australian MotoGP, from doing as many laps as I could following the faster riders.

“I am in the MotoGP paddock a lot of the time and the Red Bull Rookies racing is just like the Moto3 racing, really aggressive and close, so I have gained a lot of experience. It will be a great experience at Phillip Island and it also puts you on display to the Moto3 teams to show off your skills, so I can’t wait.”

Fellow Aussie wildcard Matt Barton has had impressive year in the 2015 Australian Superbike Championship to currently sit third in the Honda Moto3/125GP class. Barton said he was thrilled to get the Wildcard ride, and explained how it is another steppingstone in place for riders to go out and realise their dreams.

“It’s a good feeling,” he said. “I’ve wanted to race the MotoGP since I was five years old. Seeing guys do it, it’s always been something that was on my list, and it’s been a big goal of mine to get there.

“Having the wildcard entry is a stepping stone for me to get up there full-time and hopefully this is going to get my name out there, and let teams know that I’m here, and I’m serious and I can put in good performances.

“Coming through the ASBK, this year especially, the level that it’s progressed to has really helped. This year, having the exposure level and the sponsors like Honda on board for our class, it has really helped us step up our game and been very professional.

“Having someone from the Australian Championship going to get the Wildcard entry is going to help with the other generations of people that are getting in to that sport, or getting into this level.”