Schwantz on Manx for Sheene Festival
The 500 Classic class at the 2016 Barry Sheene Festival of Speed will be enliven with the addition of former World 500cc Champion Kevin Schwantz aboard Ken Macintosh’s Manx Norton which was raced in the Isle of Man Classic TT by Bruce Anstey. Joining him on the grid will be Kiwi veteran Dave Cole on Ross Graham’s McIntyre Matchless, Nick Cole on Peter Lodge’s ES2 Norton, and a full field of local stars including Ian Lovell (Norton ES2), Neil May (Manx Norton), Bob Rosenthal (Matchless G50) and Jack Wright (Manx Norton). As well as racing the Manx Norton, Schwantz will line up in the Barry Sheene Top 50 aboard a McIntosh Suzuki, while former Supersport World Champion and Moto GP winner Chris Vermeulen will return to the track to ride a Suzuki XR69 owned by Paul Edwards, appropriately in Barry Sheene livery. Schwantz will also be on track in the GP Legends Clash, where he will ride an ex-works 1994 XR84 Suzuki. With previously announced Didier de Radigues and Christian Sarron now unavailable, Jeremy McWilliams and Kevin Magee will also be in the Legends line up. Now a regular at the BSFoS, Maria Costello will ride Peter Beugger’s 500cc Paton twin, the same machine she raced at the Isle of Man Classic TT.
Organiser Peter Macmillan says interest in the 2016 event is at an all-time high. “As well as the huge influx of international riders, we have had enormous interest from the trade and other exhibitors,” he said. “The paddock area will be packed with all sorts of displays and trade stands. Stu Avant and Tom Dermody will have a big display of rare race bikes in their Pirelli hospitality centre, including the exworks YZR500 that Kevin Magee will ride.” The 2016 BSFoS will be held over four days from March 17-20, with private practice on Thursday, qualifying on Friday morning and racing from Friday afternoon. The feature event, the Barry Sheene Top 50, will be contested over four 6-lap legs. For tickets and information visit www.barrysheene.com.au or email festivalofspeed2015@gmail.com