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Race Two and Three Results – VRRC at Winton

Photos: Russell Colvin Day two of round two is a wrap. Much drier conditions today at Winton but still far from perfect. All the riders had to keep their heads, stay off the slippery stuff and stay consistent all day. They all did a fantastic job of it.

Massive thanks to all the riders and their crews, it was a really great weekend. We learnt a lot, had some fun and, most importantly, went nice and fast on some motorbikes. In the next few days, we'll share a full album of some of Russell Colvin's best shots and Daz will be putting together a more in-depth debrief to share with you all. Thanks to our partners: DL Carpentry Group, Yamaha, Pirelli, Thermal Technology, DNA Filters, SBS Brakes, NG Discs, Kenma Australia, Cykel Products, MotoTrack, Barkbusters Handguards, Moto Economista, Translogic, Pro Power Electrical and Data and The Grinning Dingo. Superbike Results A tricky Race Two for Brad Shaw as the track started to dry out mid-race, but a really awesome podium finish in P3. Jake has been having a couple of issues with the starts but found some consistency during the race to end in P9. Honourable mention for Lee in P11 – he was making plenty of noise with the angle grinder early this morning to get the bike ready after a spill in Race One. Race Three was a dry race and Brad made the most of it, sticking with Ted Collins for the whole race. He stayed off the slick white lines and punishing curbs for an incredible P2 finish. Jake had another good ride after an average start, making his way to P8. Again, Leeroy had to put in some solid work for his P11. Supersport Results Another podium lock-out for the team in Race Two. Largey built a solid lead throughout the race and brought it home with a calm head. Sanders and Sauce had a nice little battle and ended P2 and P3 respectively. Will finished in a really respectable 5th behind Brendan Wilson.

Race Three was a fantastic battle between Sauce, Largey and Sanders. Sanders was fighting for the lead early on but lost pace toward the end and finished in P3. Sauce took his second win of the weekend with a really cool-headed win, dealing with backmarkers and passing Largey decisively and cleanly into the hairpin. Largey put serious pressure on Sauce in the later part of the race and brought it home in P2. Supersport 300 Results More of the same from Boner in Race Two and Three, which is certainly not a bad thing. Consistency and constant improvement is the way forward for Boner and he's absolutely smashing it. P7 in Race Two and P7 in Race Three.

Qualifying and Race One Results – VRRC at Winton

Photos: Russell Colvin Consistently good results in some pretty mixed conditions. That's the end of day one of the Victorian Road Racing Championships here at Winton. The weather is extremely average, but the team have been absolutely exceptional. All the riders and their crews are performing consistently above and beyond. The conditions are tough and we have to take it as it comes. It can (and did) lead to some crashes but that's to be expected, we'll just keep chipping away at it tomorrow.

Massive shoutout to Harley Side! The Sauce has won his first VRRC race. Superbike Results Brad Shaw had a great start, got the holeshot and was feeling really good on the bike. Unfortunately that sweeper caught him out on lap two. The rear came around and he slid impressively long way into the infield. Rider and bike are okay, both just needed a pressure wash.

Jake Drew brought it home in a solid P4. He's been chipping away at the weekend with a consistently measured and professional approach to his work. Slow and steady progress and he'll be back up the front in no time.

Leeroy had an off midway through the race. Rider and bike are fine and they'll be back at it tomorrow, with a vengeance no doubt. Supersport Results The boys locked out the first four spots on the grid so it was always going to be a good one. After an early incident, the race was restarted and a five lap dash would be all Saucey needed for his first VRRC race win. It was a really solid second for Largey who was riding the spare bike after a big, dirty crash in qualifying. And another shoutout for a fantastic effort by Will who came home in third. Luke Sanders was pushing hard with the other three boys for a race win but a little mistake in tricky conditions cost him big. After his off, P8 was all that could be salvaged.

And well done to Brendan Wilson who wrapped up fourth position on a Race Center spec bike as well. Supersport 300 Results Boner had a really solid qualifying and race. He's steadily improving and dropping those lap times every time he crosses the line, which is easier said than done in tough conditions.

Welcome to Winton – Round Two of VRRC is underway

A wet and wild weekend awaits Team Race Center have arrived in Winton for Round Two of the Victorian Road Racing Championships. We've brought along eight awesome riders across three classes. We've got a full support crew looking after the team and we're ready to hit the track with an absolute vengeance. There are some key things we need to get right this weekend to maximise the performance of the riders and the bikes but we think we're in a great spot to be properly quick. As always, massive thanks to all our partners and supporters for making this weekend possible – and also a lot of fun. So before we get underway, let's take a look at the Race Center line-up for Round Two of VRRC at Winton. Superbike Brad Shaw Brad's running the trusty Yamaha YZF-R1 this weekend. His plan is to stay focussed, work on his mid-corner speed and keep that trusty R1 running on four cylinders. If he puts it together, some good results won't be far away. Brad's sponsors are Race Center, SGE, The Grinning Dingo and Glen Kearny Transport. Follow him over on Instagram and Facebook. Jake Drew Jake had a solid Round One on the Yamaha YZF-R1. He's looking to carry on that form into Winton and get his mindset back into the winning ways he's more than capable of. Jake is sponsored by Penrite, The Grinning Dingo, Alpinestars, Bell, MCA, Willmax Graphics, Strike Seats, Fusport and Barkbusters Handguards. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook Lee Rammstein On the BMW S1000RR, Lee is hoping to show the Yamaha boys a thing or two. And he reckons a podium or two would do the trick. Lee's sponsors are LCS Equipment Group, Billetta Imports and, of course, Race Center. You can follow his weekend over on Instagram. Supersport 600 Tim Large Tim (or Largey, or TL Turbo) is running a Yamaha YZF-R6. His PB lap time around the Winton Short Track is a 61 but this weekend he's on a mission to run a 59. Largey is also sponsored by Know-How Building Group and The Grinning Dingo. You can follow him on Instagram. Harley Side Harley (or Sauce) is also on a Yamaha YZF-R6. He's not raced on the short track at Winton before so he's hoping he doesn't turn left at the end of the straight instead of right. Other than that, the plan is to run his strategy and come away with some solid results. Sauce is sponsored by Race Center and The Grinning Dingo and you can follow his progress on Instagram. Luke Sanders Luke is riding a Yamaha YZF-R6 and his PB lap time around Winton is a 1:01.7. His goal this weekend is to stay consistently at that 60-second barrier and bank a few solid podiums. Luke is sponsored by Snoop Media and Motorcycle Accessories and you can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. William Sharrock To complete the set, Will is also riding a Yamaha YZF-R6. Some solid results and consistency is the focus for Will this weekend ... and so is responding to the media guy's emails so he can write these bios. We'll keep you posted on Will's progress during the weekend until he gets his own Instagram account. Supersport 300 Colin Bone Colin 'Boner' Bone is the sole 300 runner for Race Center this weekend on his Kawasaki Ninja 400. Colin's best lap time on a 300 at the Winton Short Track is a 1:10.1. The goal this weekend is to go faster and to go faster consistently. Boner is sponsored by Race Center and you can follow him on Instagram.

Struggle Street for TL Turbo and Race Center but not Panic Stations

Our torrid relationship with Wakefield Park Raceway has continued during Friday practice for round 3 of the Australian Supersport Championship. By the end of Friday running Tim Large was sitting in a lowly 15th place and a long way off the pace, in fact even a long way of our pace from last year. Still, despite us having as bad a day as Scott Morrison did in the debut, we did manage to run through our test program for the day which landed us on an improved setting in the final run that was unfortunately cut short due to a red flag. The biggest positive was there were no panic stations in the team nor any frustration. We will just stick to our process and in time we will get on top of this track once and for all. Also, it is great to be blooding our newest team member Chris Kennedy into the fold. Chris is our latest hire in the workshop, starting his apprenticeship with us. Chris is spending the weekend under the guidance of Josh’s (Bricks) who has been through the same program and is excelling. Both boys did a ripper job today which enabled us to get through a big test program. The results don’t do their work justice just yet but we hope to rectify that. Wish us luck!

WE ARE HIRING – 2 POSITIONS AVAILABLE

We are very pleased to announce that we are looking to expand our team. Both Josh and Julian are killing it and are very well bedded into our unique processes and systems. This means we now have capacity to take on some new blood and give them the time needed to up-skill them in the Race Center ways. We have 2 positions available: Motorcycle Mechanic – 1st year apprenticeship This is a great opportunity for someone looking to learn this great trade. Doing your apprenticeship at a specialised Race and Performance Workshop that also does a fair bit of general servicing will give the right candidate an amazing opportunity to learn and grow. Motorcycle Mechanic / Technician We are also seeking either a fully qualified or 3rd year + apprentice motorcycle mechanic. In this role you will be exposed to some amazing work and motorcycles including a lot of race and track bike. There will be plenty of growth opportunities as well. The role will start off in general servicing with future development opportunities including, performance work, engine builds, dyno tuning, suspension upgrades or workshop supervision for the right candidate. Anyone interested should send in a resume to workshop@racecenter.com.au

ASBK Test Looming 27th and 28th Jan – Workshop will Remain Open

The Australian Superbike Championship is set to swing into action with the official pre-season test to be held at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on January 27th and 28th. Tim Largey Large and Luke Sanders will both be testing for the team aboard the Yamaha R6s and will be supported by Daz and Josh in the pit box. Saucey and Julian will stay behind though and keep the workshop open and running. Of course, we will be closed on Wednesday Jan 26th though for the Australia day public holiday. To find out more about the ASBK head to asbk.com.au

Race Center Support – Bracket Racing Round 1

This weekend 22nd & 23rd Jan 2022 will see the resumption of racing at the freshly re-surfaced Broadford State Motorcycle Sport Complex. The Saturday Race Practice will be run by the team at Champions Ride days while Sunday’s bracket racing is run by the Preston Motorcycle Club. Harley (Saucey) and Daz will both bet at Broadford on the Saturday as we are doing some tyre testing on the new surface. However, at this stage we do not think we will be at the track on the Sunday just due to our workload and other upcoming events in a short period of time. However, any of our customers there on the Saturday who need any advice and hand or just want to come say g’day, we will be there so do come say Hi! If you can’t find us, just give the work phone a buzz 0457 195 6230

Broadford Re-Surface 2.0 – Tyres, what you need to know

Your eyes are not deceiving you and you’re not reading an old article. The Broadford State Motorcycle Sport Complex’s Road circuit has again been freshly re-surfaced over the Christmas break (2021/2022). Let’s call it the Resurface 2.0 While it is impossible to know exactly how this new surface will behave until we sample it, we have a pretty good handle on how to approach tyres on any new surface and it certainly worked last time Broadford was re-surfaced. Race Center’s Harley (Saucey) Side will be testing this Saturday with Daz by his side so that we can bring you more detailed information following that test. However here are some key points to help you and hopefully stop you shredding tyres. 1. Start high then lower pressures if you have no tear. A big mistake many make is to start with their ‘normal’ tyre pressures and when they start to see tyre tear, they go up in pressure. Unfortunately, this is too late and the damage is already done. Furthermore if you are way off for the new surface, it may take you a few tyres to work this out costing you $$ The smarter way is to start high, then if you have no signs of tear slowly start to lower the pressure. As soon as you see some tear, go back up to a last pressure where there was no tear. Simple really but this is the core concept that will save shredding tyres. This concept works and is what we used last time around to nail the pressures and wear. Lap time wasn’t too shabby either 😉 You might be surprised just how high you need to go. 2. Wear / Tyre issues will only be a big issue for fast riders on bikes with decent power, 600cc and above. The faster you are, the more prone you will be to the tear, so you are a bit slower and new to the sport you don’t really need to worry. 3. Stickier compounds will be more prone to tear. We did an article covering more detail on this a while back, the article is here for anyone that wants more info: click here We do anticipate the pressures we used with the older Re-surface V1.13 will again work this time around. That exact data is available for Race School members: Click Here We will bring you more details after our test.

Largey P7 at The Bend

Race Center's Tim (TL turbo) Large finished a creditable 7th overall in round 7 of the Motorsports TV Supersport class of the ASBK (Australian Superbike Championships) at The Bend Motorsport Park. The meeting which was held on Dec 3rd to 5th was a mega event. Not only were all the main championships on the line but there was the huge draw card of aussie MotoGP star, Jack Miller. Not surprisingly it attracted a bumper crowd. While it is clear we still have a few bit of pace to be competitive in this fierce class, Tim put together an incredible weekend. One of the targets going into the round was not only did we need Tim to push extremely hard for outright pace, we also wanted him to maximise points and delivery consistency. He certainly did that which ultimately resulted in 7th overall even though our pace on paper was only indicating a result of around 11th or 10 was possible after Tim had qualified 12th. Another extremely pleasing aspect of our weekend was how well the team worked. Josh, Jake, Mick and Daz worked seamlessly and gave Tim a platform to build a solid result. The ogansation and manner the team worked was spot on! We will now have a bit of a break from racing and enjoy the holiday period before we get ready for an action packed 2022. A massive thank you to all our supporters and sponsors.

Christmas Closure 20th Dec - 5th Jan

The Race Center workshop will be closed from the 20th of December and will re open on the 5th of January 2022. We have made it through another difficult COVID year and are looking forward to a much brighter 2022 :) We wish you all a very merry and safe Christmas and new year and thank you for your support in 2021. Merry Christmas from the Race Center Team

RACING CANCELLED

The remainder of Round 4 of the Victorian Road Racing Championships has been cancelled due to a serious incident which occurred on Saturday afternoon. As such there will not be any race updates from us, nor will we be producing a race report as a mark of respect. We won’t go into the details of the incident here, instead we will leave that to the event organisers to make their official statements. No one from the Race Center Team was involved but our thoughts and hearts go out too everyone involved, their family, friends and the entire racing community. Our thoughts are also with all the event organisers, officials, volunteers and responders to the incident. You all do such an amazing job, not just in this instance but always. The work and effort you all put in is phenomenal and you definitely do not get the credit you all deserve. Our sport does give so much that makes a such positive difference to many lives but it can also be cruel and tragic sometimes. Safety is always improving in the sport and many peoppel do such amazing work in that area. Unfortunate times like these are a reminder of how important the push to continually improve safety is. While we might be competitors on track, we are part of one big family off the track. Thoughts and love with you all, Race Center Team

HUGE WEEKEND OF VRRC AHEAD

Race meetings are a bit like buses and trams, none seem to come for ages then all of sudden heaps come at once. Last weekend we had the ASBK at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia, where we fielded a 1 bike team with Tim Large (TL Turbo) in the Motorsports TV Supersport class aboard his Yamaha R6. This weekend we are headed to Broadford State Motorcycle Complex for the Victorian Road Race Championship, and it will be a whole different kettle of fish for us. We will have a 12-rider team, yep you heard correctly, 12 riders in what will be a busy but massively fun weekend for our little team. While each of our 12 riders are at different levels, all of them will have specific key areas of focus that they will be working on throughout an action packed weekend. Riders in action will be: There will also be a few noticeable emissions for our team this weekend with a few of our riders opting to sit out this round and start a fresh in 2022. 4 x Victorian Superbike Champion Nathan Jones recently under went shoulder surgery to repair an injury sustained in a mountain bike crash, while almost fit he has opted to sit the remainder of 2021 out. Brad Shaw and his Yamaha R1 will also sit out this round but will be back in 2022 Lee Ransetein is still recovering from a wrist injury sustained earlier in the year and will let it heal a bit more before a return. Tyson Jones? Well we are not sure if he is retired or not to be honest... and neither is he haha! Event details can be found here: Victorian Road Racing Championships – Preston Motorcycle Club (prestonmcc.org.au) You can follow Live Timing: Home Page - Computime Race Timing Systems And we will try our best to give you updates via our socials Even better, why not make the trip to Broadford to watch some of the racing live! Wish us luck