Words: Matt O’Connell

In 2020 Levi Day returned to the Ducati TriOptions Cup, a single-make support class in the BSB paddock, filled this year with Ducati Panigale V2 machinery. The South Australian from Mount Gambier has enjoyed success in the class previously and has made a real home for himself in the United Kingdom. Last year he was the top rookie in Superstock 1000 and with two rounds left to run and fresh from a victory at Silverstone, Day is in with a real shot at hoisting the TriOptions Cup.

Image: Camipix Photography

Oulton Park and Brands are left…are they strong tracks for you?

Both Brands and Oulton are strong tracks for me, I’m hoping to build on the momentum from last weekend at Silverstone and go for the win to bridge the points gap. I have had good results in Superstock 1000 and the Ducati TriOptions Cup at both circuits.

On the level of racing in TriOptions Cup…

The ‘Cup’ levels out the playing field a lot as there is only so much you can do to get the edge. It all really comes down to experience and who is the stronger rider on race day. The depth of field isn’t as strong in the TriOptions Cup, but from my experience the riders at the front can be just as competitive in other classes when given good opportunities.

You finished top rookie last year in Superstock 1000. Is there unfinished business in that class for you?

The team and I had a goal of top ten for my first year in Superstock 1000. I finished ninth overall and top rookie, which I was really happy with. The team seemed happy too but for some reason it just didn’t work out to give me that extra year on the bike.
I really enjoy riding in the TriOptions Cup but I do feel like I could have built on last years performance and would absolutely love another crack at it.

On living in the UK and forging a new career outside of racing…

I’ve lived in the UK for eight years now, and I’ve had some interesting jobs to make ends meet (grave digging, cardboard box packing to name a few) but my longest role was for our local Yamaha dealership as a salesman. When a new opportunity to work with my good friend Del Dowds came about, I jumped at the chance. Del runs Sublime Designs, a motorbike and accessory graphic design company specialising in bike, helmet and boot wraps. It’s absolutely amazing to see your designs come to life and watch them moving around the track. When you do something you love for a living it doesn’t feel like you’re working. Combine that with the coaching events I run in Australia and I honestly don’t feel like I have a real job!

Image: Camipix Photography

How have you celebrated this latest victory…

My wife Katie just turned 30, so we are heading to Bournemouth for a short break to celebrate her birthday and now my first win of the season! Looking forward to having a cider on the beach!

You’re raising a family in the UK, how are you enjoying it? What do you do in your downtime?

Katie is English and we had our son Max in August 2018, having my family is my proudest achievement to date. Downtime is spent running around after our two year old, he is always on the go and keeps me fit! We live near a river and have some lovely places to walk and ride a push bike so we do plenty of that. Being able to take Max along to racing motivates me even more.

A few likes and dislikes about the UK…

Something I have become quite fond of is scones with clotted cream and jam. It’s something I look forward to especially if I have had a good weekend at racing. Quite an English tradition. I also like the depth of racing talent in the UK as it’s a class bunch of guys I’m up against. During a normal year we would be racing every two to three weeks, which is more frequent than what is done in Australia. There isn’t much I dislike about the UK as I think it’s all about perspective and outlook. I just don’t like the traffic all that much!