The weekend includes Round 2 Championship Classes for 125GP, 250GP, Supersport, Superstock (Series), the Lazer Helmets 250 Production Championship and Round 1 of the Lazer Helmets Australian Sidecar Championship.

In all, six championship classes will be contested over two race days.

Team Suzuki’s Shawn Giles arrives in Adelaide for the third round of the Australian Superbike Championship keen to continue his domination so far. Giles has enjoyed five victories from six starts this season.

“Mallala is one of the most enjoyable tracks around, with its tight and twisty corners mixed with the long fast straights. I love to hook into the long right hand sweeper up the back and with the track surface quite bumpy, you need good suspension to set-up the drive out of the turns. It’s certainly a challenge,” Giles said.

Suzuki’s GSX-R1000’s currently dominate the Superbike Class with privateer Liam Magee holding a clear second position in the title. Last year’s Supersport Championship winner and fastest Supersport qualifier at Mallala – Josh Brookes - is this year competing on the Team Honda CBR900. Brookes has yet to make it on to the podium this year but as the new machine is developed to his liking he will be taking the battle to the Suzukis.

Supersport action is assured with a number of potential podium winners in this strong field of over 30 riders. Both Shannon Johnson and Adam Fergusson return to Mallala after competing overseas. Johnson, on 61points (Advantage Honda CBR 600), leads the charge from privateer Scott Charlton (56 points) (GSXR 600) and Adam Fergusson (51points) aboard the Cooper Racing GSXR 600. Young Reece Bancell (GSXR6) and Rodney Taplin (R6) should also feature prominently amongst the top ten.

Another to watch out for will be local South Australian Supersport Champion Michael Brenton riding the Yamaha World R6. With home track advantage Brenton took the lead in the early stages of last year’s races, finishing a creditable 4th and 7th in both legs and should perform well again this year. Brenton is currently placed 12th on the points tally.

In the Lazer Helmets 250cc Production Championship, Jordan Coote (71 points) leads the pack after two hard fought wins and a second. These riders set a frenetic pace with only 0.801 seconds separating the first five riders at the opening round. Glen Kelleher is only 6 points off the points leader, after snatching a race win from Coote. C-grader Paul Simonson ran a consistent third with Dustin Goldsmith and Trevor Holland in 4th and 5th overall in the points tally.  Unfortunately Jordan Coote recently broke his ankle and underwent an operation earlier this week which will see him have to sit this round out.

Spectators can expect plenty of action and fairing bashing when 22 Sidecars front to the starting grid for Round 1 of their 4-round Lazer Helmets Championship Series. Last year’s Championship winners – brothers Ron and Ray Curran (Windle 1100) - will throw down the challenge to this huge field of starters. Two teams of past Australian Champions - Vince Messina and passenger Alison Scoullar (Alvin MK7 1109) along with West Australian driver Lindsay Fagan and passenger Ash Voice will be keen to add another title to their belts.

GP bikes and the new class for 2002 – Superstock - will also be a feature of the weekend’s racing. Queenslander Earl Lynch (Yamaha TZ250), defending his 2001 250GP title has had early pressure from both Russell Holland who took the two race wins at the opening round and Mark Rowling who is on equal points with Lynch. Currently sitting in 4th place is South Australian Jeff Thomas riding an RS250 Honda.

Cath Thompson (RS Honda) leads the charge in the 125GP Class, taking both race wins at round 1 from Paul Campbell and another South Australian Rudi Muller. Strong fields of 20 riders in each class will produce some very close racing at this tight, twisting track.

Superstock racing is the new class for 2002, open to C and D grade riders as an introductory level for riders wanting to compete at the National Championship level. Limited modifications are allowed to bikes of either 600cc 4 cylinder or two cylinder 750cc engines, with a controlled tyre rule. The eventual winner takes home the inaugural Superstock Cup.

South Australian Marc Nelson (52 points) was pipped for first place overall on the points tally after round 1, by Victorian Sam Maclachlan who leads the charge by a 1 point advantage on 53 points. Jason Cartledge is breathing down their necks on 51 points.

The weekend’s three day program gets underway today, April 26 with timed practice sessions.  Qualifying and six races will take place on Saturday with the remainder of the race programme being completed on Sunday.

Saturday $15 + Pits $5 and Sunday $25 + Pits $5 – Grandstand $10

Click here to be talked through a lap of Mallala with 1999 Australian SuperBike
Champion and current World SuperBike privateer Steve Martin