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June
Blake Leigh-Smith emerges from induced coma
May
Official word on the 2009 Australian MotoGP
2010 Reece Bancell Scholarship Applications now open
April
Andy Awesome in Spanish Debut
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Blake Leigh-Smith emerges from induced coma
Australian 125cc GP motorcycle champion, Blake Leigh-Smith, has emerged from a 4 day induced coma in Klinikum Chemnitz near the Sachsenring racetrack in eastern Germany.
Blake suffered the rupturing of both lungs and a broken scapula in a horrific accident during a race last Sunday at the German 125cc championships.
The doctors have stated that had he not been airlifted to the hospital via helicopter, he would have died from his injuries at the track.
Blakes parents Noel and Mary have given their thanks to the outstanding medical support afforded Blake. It is hoped that Blake's high level of fitness will help him in his recuperation. In a recent Elite Fitness Camp at the Australian Institute of Sport, in Canberra, he set records for his stamina and endurance.
Blake is able to remember the incident, and shows no signs of any further injury at this time. He is expected to be moved from intensive care to a lower dependancy unit of the hospital during the next 24 hours.
Obviously still recuperating, Blake wanted to thank his team manager Jarno Janssen, from the De Graaf GP team, who stayed by his side until his mother arrived earlier in the week. The team are racing at Assen in Holland in MotoGP 125 in the next 24 hours, but his support for Blake took precedence.
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Official word on the 2009 Australian MotoGP
The Australian round of the MotoGP World Championship is returning again, bigger and better than ever in 2009, and a tremendous opportunity exists for interested people to join the team and become an Official for the event.
Australia’s biggest weekend of motorcycle racing will be held at Phillip Island on 16-18 October, and Officials will once again have the chance to be part of the fun and get up close and personal with the world’s best riders including defending Champion Valentino Rossi, as well supporting the ‘Aussie Assault’ from Casey Stoner and Chris Vermeulen.
A variety of roles exists for Officials at the 2009 MotoGP, including pit marshals, flag and track marshals and communicators, and volunteering as an Official at the 2009 Australian MotoGP has many benefits, including free entry for you and a friend for all three days of the event, invitation to a post-race Officials BBQ, free lunches, free cap, free event program, free camping, the opportunity to meet and greet with riders as well as being involved with one of most popular global sporting events on the Australian calendar.
The 2009 MotoGP season started in the best possible way for Australia with Stoner winning the first race, and he will be fighting hard all year to bring the MotoGP world title back home - Stoner currently sits in second place in the Championship, only one point adrift of Jorge Lorenzo, while Vermeulen is in eighth and within striking distance of the leading pack.
The best of Australian Road Racing will also be back on track with Round Six of the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) taking place in conjunction the with the MotoGP, and these support races will be held each day over the course of the event.
To apply as an official for the 2009 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, please complete the Officials Application and Indemnity form which can be downloaded from the MA website at www.ma.org.au/2009motogpofficials.
Completed application forms should be submitted by Wednesday 1 July 2009 and sent to:
Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix
Race Organising Committee
RMB 500GP, Cowes, 3922
Victoria Australia
We sincerely hope you can help make the 2009 event the best yet and we look forward to seeing you at Phillip Island.
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2010 Reece Bancell Scholarship Applications now open
Motorcycling Australia (MA) can announce that applications are now open for the 2010 Reece Bancell Scholarship.
The family of Reece Bancell created the Scholarship program to encourage and assist a rider with their development and future in Road Racing.
Each year a rider who competes in the current Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) is eligible to apply for this 12-month support package to assist them in contesting in the following year’s ASBK Championship.
The Reece Bancell Scholarship is available to riders from any class, and the recipient will be selected based the rider’s professionalism and performance throughout the application’s current season, as well as on the following criteria and guidelines:
- Professional attitude - behaviour and approach to racing and outside activities not necessarily associated with motorcycle sport.
- Ability - not necessarily based solely on results, but also future potential.
- Presentation – able to ensure continued professionalism and be well-groomed at all times, both on and off the track.
- Dedication and Commitment – ability to achieve their goals.
- Under 25 years of age – at time of application.
- Attitude and sociability – on and off the track.
- Non factory-contracted – or non factory-backed satellite rider at time of application.
The assessment panel consists of representatives from the Bancell Family, MA as well as the motorcycling industry and selected motorcycling media.
Applications will be accepted until 18 October 2009, which coincides with the penultimate round of the ASBK to be held at Phillip Island in conjunction with the 2009 Australian MotoGP.
The application form for the Reece Bancell Scholarship can be downloaded from the MA website at www.ma.org.au/2010reecebancell
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Andy Awesome in Spanish Debut
 Young Australian Andrew Lawson (pictured) has made a stunning debut to his Spanish 125GP Championship campaign, claiming points in his international debut.
On a weekend marred by bad weather the 16 year old not only qualified for the race out of a massive field of hopefuls, but came through from 32nd on the grid to grab 12th spot at Alabcente in Spain.
“I got a great start and picked up about 10 places on the first lap. I got close to 8th but just couldn't hold on. I'm very happy and I have learnt a lot.” Lawson said.
It was the first time the Queenslander has ridden the Blusens BQR Aprilia, and to add to the steep learning curve, wet weather.
“It was incredible to think he got points. It was a horrible weekend weather wise. He still hasn't had a dry session on the bike. We didn't know if he'd earn championship points this season at all, so to be leaving Spain today with that result I am very excited about the rest of the year.” Commented engineer Ben Reid.
Lawson added, “The bike was incredible and I really enjoyed the track. I'm pretty happy with the way I went and I think had it been dry I could have done even better. I need more time on the bike, so I'm looking forward to the next round to see if I can improve.”
Many riders struggled with the conditions, with two of Andrew’s more senior team mates failing to finish the 18 lap race.
Lawson who leads the Australian 125GP Championship on his Champions Ride Days Honda will be one of the busiest riders in Australia this year, splitting his time between his home championship and the prestigious Spanish title.
Round two of the Spanish Championship will be held in the south of Spain at Jerez on the 7th of June.
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