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Australian GP 2003 - Aussie Support Events - 125 GP - Free Practice October 16th, 2003 |
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Australian GP 2003 - Aussie Support Events - 125 GP - Free Practice October 16th, 2003 |
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A huge field for the 125 support races with a wide expanse of ages and experience. From 15 year olds to 57 year olds, and from ex Australian Champions to riders
having their first ever road race! And many that have never ridden the awesomely fast circuit that is Phillip Island. Talk about a baptism of fire! A moderate breeze and fine weather greeted the gaggle of two-stroke screamers as they made their way on to the circuit for their one and only free practice session. All practice and qualifying for the support events is run today, Thursday. After this 25 minute practice session the Superbikes and Supersports hit the track for their practice session before the 125 riders go out again to try and earn their place on the grid. The timesheets in this session quickly came down to a tussle between Josh Waters and Jason O'Halloran. Waters (16) hails from Mildura while O'Halloran (15) is a Sydney boy.Andrew Willy was back on a bike for the first time in a while but showed he has not lost much of his speed. Willy was a top Australian 125 runner quite a few years ago before heading to the UK to try his luck. He had some success over that side of the pond but in the end came home due to a lack of backing to continue overseas. Airline pilot Rudi Muller has not raced as much as he would have liked this year as work has been keeping him very busy. But the South Australian showed that he remains in good touch by setting a decent pace in this first practice session.Mick Kelly had been given a wildcard to race in the World Championship event here this weekend but a mix up in regards to the age requirements allowed by Dorna left him high and dry, with little explanation or written confirmation proffered by the organisers. A couple of WA boys also put in reasonable performances. The experienced Craig Frederickson teams with 16 year old motocross rider Bryan Staring in the Allect Racing squad. Staring has only been to Phillip Island once before where he crashed heavily at Siberia early in practice, breaking his collarbone and forcing him out of that Australian Championship event. Hopefully no such bad luck befalls the lanky youngster this weekend.At the end of the session it was still Waters and O'Halloran way out in front from Willy, Muller, Staring and Kelly. It looks as though the races may shape up to be a two-way dice for the lead while a whole swag of more equally matched riders fight it out for the final podium position.
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MCNEWS.COM.AU |
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