Juniors to race at World Superbikes

Australia’s round of the 2014 Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island from February 21-23 will feature a new support category -- juniors from 12 to under 16 years.

Australia’s Motorcycle Road Race Development Association (MRRDA) juniors will compete in three races combining two classes: 85cc two-strokes and 160cc four-strokes.

As well as the addition of juniors – the class where many of Australia’s best senior riders such as Wayne Maxwell, Josh Hook and Josh Brookes began their road racing careers – the world superbike meeting will also host the popular historic bikes as well as the opening round of the ‘2014 Phillip Island Championship’.

The 2014 Phillip Island Championship will be open to Australian Superbike, Australian Prostock and Australian Supersport competitors, and the categories will have two races apiece at world superbikes and at October’s MotoGP.

Around 30 juniors are expected to front the Phillip Island grid, including the two riders who stamped their authority on the 2013 MRRDA titles: Jacob Whitehouse from Melbourne (85cc), and Nick Liminton from Adelaide (160cc). Whitehouse (pictured) particularly enjoyed a breakout year, and also rode to third place in the MRRDA 125 GP class for riders 14 years and above.

Other strong competitors to strut their stuff on the world championship stage will be Lachlan Epis from Sydney; and making it a family affair, Tayla and Jacob Street from Melbourne in the 80cc class.

Adelaide’s Olly Simpson, who will compete in the European Red Bull Rookies Cup again in 2014, supporting MotoGP rounds, will almost certainly be tempted to compete in front of his friends and family in a local cameo appearance.

In all, there will be three world championship and 10 national races at the Phillip Island world superbike round from Friday to Sunday, with the action starting no later than 8:30am on all three days. The world championship events will be held on Sunday afternoon: midday and 2:40pm for the 22-lap world superbike races, and 1:10pm for the 21-lap world supersport race.

Entries are open for the MRRDA Juniors and close mid January, with entry forms and supplementary regulations at www.worldsbk.com.au.

Tickets for Phillip Island are on sale now. Advance ticket buyers will fork out $99 for a three-day general admission pass, which is $51 cheaper than the gate price.  For more information visit www.worldsbk.com.au.