Oli Bayliss to race WSBK Scramble with dad

Young Oli Bayliss to join dad Troy in Baylisstic Scramble at Phillip Island

The five juniors who have received the ‘Captain’s Pick’ to compete in the Baylisstic Scramble at the 2015 FIM Superbike World Championship opener at Phillip Island this weekend have been announced – and some of the surnames will be instantly recognisable to road racing devotees.

The biggest world superbike name in Australian history, Troy Bayliss, didn’t have to work up too much of a sweat to make his junior selection – his 11 year old son Oli will be joining his squad, while Max Stauffer, the son of multiple Australian dirt track and road racing champion Jamie Stauffer, will be joining Team Crumpy, captained by former world speedway guru Jason Crump.

The other juniors in action will be Billy Van Eerde for Team Caslick (captained by Paul Caslick), Joel Kelzo for Team Gally (Stephen Gall) and Callum Davies for Team Vermeulen (Chris Vermeulen).

In the senior field, a late change sees 2013 Australian Superbike Champion, Wayne Maxwell joins Team Bayliss replacing Withers.

Bayliss, whose events company runs the Baylisstic Scramble, was forthright when it came to his junior selection methodology.

“I chose Oli, because I can!” said Troy. “It is the first time we have ridden in the one team so Team Bayliss is the squad to beat.”

Bayliss designed the flat track at Phillip Island, and believes it will “produce very close, fierce racing”.

“It’s awesome,” said Bayliss.“I am looking forward to showing my world superbike friends our unique brand of racing.And of course for our fans, it is absolutely free with your world superbike ticket so there’s going to be more great action, a world class line up of riders and at no cost.”

At the Baylisstic Scramble, the juniors face-off in their own intra-event shootout, while the senior riders – four on each team — will compete in a minimum of 12 races, so non-stop mayhem is guaranteed. Some of the senior riders include Josh Waters, Karl Muggeridge, Glenn Allerton, Chris Hollis, Josh and Nick Waters and Luke Richards.

Oli was a 2013 Aussie dirt track champion in the 85cc ranks, defeating Max Stauffer, while Stauffer won the 85cc class in 2014.

Van Eerde could upstage them both, and was both a long track and dirt track Aussie champion in 2014, coming off a stellar year in 2013 as well.

The Baylisstic Scramble begins with practice on Friday, while racing on Saturday and Sunday will be held over four sessions. The Baylisstic Scramble schedule won’t conflict with the world superbike and supersport action, so fans will be able to see the best of the bitumen, and the best of the dirt in what’s set to be a real two-wheel carnival.

The Baylisstic Scramble is presented by Motul, Pirelli, Yamaha Motor Finance, Sony Actioncam and Shark helmets, and is free with any world superbike ticket.

For tickets to the Superbike World Championship, Swann round at Phillip Island this weekend go to www.worldsbk.com.au or buy at the gate. Children 15 and under are free.

BAYLISSTIC SCRAMBLE TEAMS

Team Caslick