Troy Bayliss Classic abandoned

More than 5000 spectators turned out for the fourth running of the Troy Bayliss Classic last weekend despite inclement weather conditions which eventually forced organisers to abandon the event’s finals feature races.

At the Taree Motorcycle Club on 16 January, the bevy of Australian and international stars still stumped up hard, fast and highly entertaining heat races with local heroes Troy Bayliss and Mick Kirkness both winning rounds. Similarly, the American dirt track stars in Sammy Halbert, Jared Mees and Brad Baker also emerged victorious on the day, with Baker forced to withdraw after a fast crash left him with an injured right shoulder and left arm.

“Unfortunately the Troy Bayliss Classic didn't go as I intended it to,” Baker posted on social media. “I had a pretty nasty crash in one of the practice heat races after getting a terrible start. I was lucky to walk away relatively unhurt [but] I decided to not ride the rest of the night.”

Event promoter and competitor Troy Bayliss expressed his disappointment at his inability to see the day out as planned, but said rider safety on the newly resurfaced oil track was paramount.

“I would have chopped off my other pinky to have run the Americana, Superpole  and Troy Bayliss Classic final but, unfortunately, it wasn’t to be,” the former world champ quipped. “I would like to thank the competitors, officials, volunteers and especially the fans who came out and stayed until to the bitter end”.

Planning for the 2017 Troy Bayliss Classic is already underway.