New talents will be uncovered and new racing rivalries will be formed as the FZ6 Masters Series revs up for a third consecutive season.
The one-make series was created to provide opportunities to entry-level road racers looking to advance their racecraft on a level playing field aboard Yamaha’s FZ6N.
Eliminating the need for expensive and time-consuming tuning and development, the series promotes technical equality aboard production-based race bikes.
A capacity field hit the track in 2007, with Josh Houwen holding off all challenges to take the inaugural title. Beau McKenzie won in 2008 after a tense battle to the final chequered flag of the season.
The 2009 champion will be crowned after four rounds of competition at some of Australia’s premier motorsport circuits.
The series gets underway at Tasmania’s Symmons Plains Raceway from April 3-5, before heading to Queensland Raceway in Ipswich (May 29-31), Eastern Creek Raceway in Sydney (August 7-9) and wrapping up at Calder Park in Melbourne (November 12-15).
An exciting new option has been introduced for the upcoming ASBK season, with customers able purchase a Race Spec FZ6 Masters Series machine direct from the Yamaha Racing Team.
Road racers can get started for just $10,600, which includes race kit and all road going gear, plus limited spares at each event and technical advice from the championship-winning outfit.
Yamaha Motor Australia Motorsports Manager, Ray Howard encouraged aspiring racers to get their entries in for what is shaping up to be another thrilling season of competition.
“The FZ6 Masters Series is an incredible opportunity to get involved in road racing on a modest budget; identical spec machines mean races are run and won on the track, not in the engine room,” said Howard.
“For the past two seasons, spectators have been treated to some of the closest racing that the national championship has ever produced.
“And while the battles are bar-to-bar on track, the camaraderie in pit lane is something that makes the class even more unique and enjoyable – helpful advice and assistance is never far away.”
“The series also allows us to identify exemplary talent, such as young gun Rick Olson, who received the Reece Bancell Scholarship and will race a factory-prepared R6 in the 2009 Superstock class.”
Talent scouts from Yamaha’s Racing Development structure will also be keeping a close eye on progress throughout the season, with the most outstanding C+D grade competitor set to receive a test ride aboard a YRT factory Superstock R6 at the end of the year.
YRD’s John Redding said the series was an excellent indication of natural ability and offered the opportunity to advance in line with the manufacturer’s development structure.
“The inexpensive nature of the FZ6 Masters Series helps to create opportunities that may not have previously existed,” said Redding.
“Focus is on the fundamentals and using each and every session to learn a bit more about the bike and what it requires of the rider.
“We’re always on the lookout for new and exciting talent and will take close interest in the series again in 2009 with the view to offering a test session aboard a factory Superstock R6.”
For further information on the FZ6 Masters Series Race Spec packages, please contact the Yamaha Racing Team on (03) 9761 5871.
For all race entry information and enquiries, please contact Jose van den Dungen on (03) 9326 6366.