VOL. 52 ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 15, 2015 P45
TROY BAYLISS CLASSIC READY FOR 2016
E
ight of the world's best flat track rac-
ers have been confirmed to contest
the 2016 Motul Pirelli Troy Bayliss Classic
presented by Garden Master, Insure My
Ride and Shark Helmets at Taree Motor-
cycle Club on Saturday, January 16.
AMA Pro Flat Track Expert Grand
National Champion Brad Baker, who
won the recent Superprestigio ahead of
MotoGP Champion Marc Marquez and
defending AMA Pro Flat Track Grand
National Champion Jared Mees, will
make his first visit to Australia for the
2016 event.
The American was scheduled to race
the 2015 Troy Bayliss Classic, but was
ruled out after injuring his shoulder dur-
ing practice at the 2014 Superprestigio.
Event organizer and winner of the 2014 event,
Troy Bayliss said he was looking forward to racing
Baker on the iconic Taree track.
"I am really looking forward to going head-to-
head with Brad in January," Bayliss said. "He
was going to compete at this year's Troy Bayliss
Classic but was unfortunately forced out due to an
injury, so it will be great to finally get him here.
"The caliber of riders we have confirmed for the
2016 event is incredible and to have these eight
internationals as part of the rider lineup is a mas-
sive achievement.
2015 Troy Bayliss Classic winner Jared Mees
returns in 2016 to defend his crown along with
compatriots, runner-up and two-time AMA Pro
Grand National Singles Champion Henry Wiles
and 2014 Troy Bayliss Classic Americana winner
Sammy Halbert.
Japanese flat track sensation Masotoshi Ohmori
will also return in 2016, marking his third appear-
ance at the popular event.
The 2016 Troy Bayliss Classic will see three of
the eight international racers make their Australian
debut including four-time Long Track World Cham-
pion Joonas Kylmakorpi, two-time AMA Grand
National Champion Jake Johnson and dual British
Supermoto Champion Chris Hodgson.
Kylmakorpi, who is one of the world's most suc-
cessful long track racers, also boasts an illustrious
international speedway career. The 35-year-old
led the Finnish National team in the 2007 Speed-
way World Cup and is a multiple medalist of Team
Championships in Sweden, Great Britain, Poland
and Denmark.
Now in its fourth year, the Troy Bayliss Classic
is one of Australia's marquee motorcycle racing
events.
"I love bringing the best riders from different
disciplines together to create an incredible event
not only for Taree and the Taree Motorcycle Club,
but also for motorcycle racing in Australia," Bayliss
continued.
"Taree Motorcycle Club has undergone some
major upgrades including resurfacing the track
for this year's event and some additional improve-
ments to spectator facilities.
"2016 promises to be even bigger than this year
and the level of competition on January 16 will be
even tougher than previous years," Bayliss added.
CN
Brad Baker will
make his debut
at the 2016 Troy
Bayliss Classic.
