Beales creates history as old stars fire

November 24, 2008

Mandy Beales has become the first female to win a solo Australian motorcycle road racing championship in this year's national historic title at Barbagallo Raceway in Perth on November 23.

The South Australian ran amok in the two Period 3 (1946-1962) Junior races, winning them by nine and seven seconds respectively on her 1962 Honda. She also set a new lap record in race one - one of five riders to set fresh benchmarks at Barbagallo.

"It feels unreal.  It hasn't settled in yet, but I am absolutely stoked," said Beales.

"I have been told that it is the first time that it has happened (a female winning a solo title), but I really can't believe it - it just hasn't sunk in.

"I am pretty sure we will be defending the title next year - and will try to go for the 500 (Senior) title as well!"

The Period 3 Senior title was retained by New Zealander Dave Cole on his 1961 Matchless, but not before Beales had won both of the preliminary races on Saturday.

Recently crowed FIM 1000cc Superstock champion Brendan Roberts was third in Period 3 Senior, just behind local rider Tony Hynes.

Meanwhile, multiple Australian Superbike champion Rob Phillis won his second Period 5 (1973-1980) Unlimited championship in three years with a clean sweep on his 1980 Suzuki GSX1100, ahead of Kawasaki-riding hotshots Karl Corpe and Peter Guest.

Phillis also set a new outright historic lap record in his opening race - 1:02.1520. The previous record was set five years ago.

Corpse and Guest didn't leave Perth empty handed though, clinching the Period 4 (1963-1972) and Period 3 Unlimited titles respectively.

East coast riders dominated this year's championship, with only two West Aussie solo competitors coming out on top: Tony Hynes in Period 2 Unlimited, and Adam Senior in Period 5 Junior.