The traditional Easter race meeting at Mount Gambier’s Mac Park has been a successful hunting ground for the Rowe Racing team over the years, none more so than the long weekend just past.

Pic: Royce getting comfortable on the Green Machine (Credit: Pierre Cazes)

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Run flawlessly by the Mount Gambier MCC, it was a real pleasure to ride at one of the best tracks in Australia with the whole event running seamlessly. Not only that, the weather was an absolute treat, providing riders every chance to better their lap times.

 

The meeting included a round of the BEARS (British, European and American Racing Series) national championship, and it was great to catch up with our friends from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Pic: The Ducati was on song all weekend (Credit: Pierre Cazes)

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Riding both the Ducati and Triumph meant we had a busy weekend. Royce opted to enter four classes; the Super Twin class and BEARS Formula 3 for the Ducati, and Supersport and BEARS Formula 2 for the Triumph.

 

This meant numerous back to back races on different bikes – a problem the team has become accustomed to. As usual, it was a matter of Royce coming into the pits, jumping off one bike and onto the other, telling him which race he was about to contest, and letting him do his thing.

 

The two bikes and rider performed well beyond our expectations.

 

With four classes, contesting four races in each, Royce had 16 starts for 16 wins. This was easily the most races he’d ever competed in over one weekend and showed why the physical endurance aspect of Royce’s riding is such a strong attribute.

Pic: Royce is loving the new beast (Credit: Pierre Cazes)

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Adding to the success of the weekend was PB’s on both bikes and three new lap records. Two records came on the Ducati in the Super Twin class and BEARS Formula 3 respectively, and one new record in the BEARS Formula 2 aboard the Triumph.

 

Some of the best racing all weekend was witnessed in the combined F1/F2 races, which saw Royce on the 675 Triumph dicing with Ducati 1198’s, 999’s and an MV Augusta. With the crowd cheering, Royce managed to slice his way through the field on the nimble Triumph, beating the much bigger bikes.

 

The decision to swap manufacturers was a tough one, but after countless late nights modifying the Triumph, Royce’s times have now dropped below his previous set on the Suzuki. Not only is he settling in on the new bike well, the Ducati times were faster than previously set too, so all signs are positive leading up to the Manx GP.

 

Royce said, “I always enjoy the Easter cup. It’s great to see the BEARS members. This particular year couldn’t have gone better. After wins in every race we topped the weekend off with a few lap records, I was pretty chuffed to say the least!

“The Ducati was on song and felt great, allowing me to push hard. As for the Triumph, after every ride I’m feeling more and more comfortable on the torquey beast and I can’t wait for a day at Phillip Island next week to see what it’s really capable of!”

Pic: En route to another victory! (Credit: Pierre Cazes)

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Team engineer, Brian Rosser of BJR Racing, believes there is even more to be extracted from the Ducati two-valve twin, and we have two ride days scheduled at Phillip Island on ANZAC Day and Mother’s Day in the next five weeks to test these developments.

 

On the Manx GP front, our entries have been accepted for the Lightweight, Junior and Senior Manx Grand Prix events, so preparations are proceeding at an alarming rate. We thought we had plenty of time, but we will be crating up in about 10 weeks from now, so things are going to be hectic.

 

What seemed like plenty of time has now flown by, leaving the team about 10 weeks until the bikes are locked in their crates – so things are going to be hectic!

 

Hopefully everybody has bought up plenty of raffle tickets as the Phoenix MCC Rider Development Lottery is set to be drawn this Saturday, 22 April, at 5pm. The day will begin at 3pm with the Manx GP motorcycles on display at the Velocette MCC Clubrooms, 74 Drayton Street, Bowden. You’d be mad to miss it!