SHEENE SUCCESS

“TT LEGEND CAM DONALD TOOK ON AUSSIE SUPERBIKE LEGEND MALCOLM CAMPBELL IN THE FORGOTTEN ERA UNLIMITED CLASS.”

For the first time since it started in 2010, Australia has won the two-leg Barry Sheene Trans-tasman Challenge. This sets the scene for a fascinating confrontation at the 10th anniversary of the Barry Sheene Festival of Speed in March 2015. The Aussie team beat the Kiwis on their home track, Hampton Downs, 418 points to 382 to finally bring the trophy back across the Tasman. Australia had won the first leg in Sydney but was still the underdog going into the second round, held as part of the Barry Sheene Motorcycle Classic. This event, which has grown to be New Zealand’s biggest motorcycle racing festival, is an example of what two clubs from neighbouring countries can achieve. The Sydney Sheene festival was founded by businessman and enthusiast Bob Blythe, who handed it over to the Post Classic Racing Association of New South Wales. This club combined with its Kiwi counterparts to establish a system whereby entrants travelling across the Tasman got free freight, free entry and a free pit garage. Increased fields have brought big-name sponsorship, with Kiwi racing legend Mike Pero buying naming rights for the Hampton Downs event. Pero also raced at this year’s event. Maria Costello, TT racer and FIM ambassador, was a big hit at both events in 2014. She was one of 25 women racing at Hampton Downs and will return to Australia in 2105. The March anniversary of the Sydney event includes GP champ Freddie Spencer attending to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his double-world championship-winning year. Founder Bob Blythe had the opportunity to sell the event he created to a commercial promoter but decided to gift it to a club. “It’s plain to see the choice I made was the correct one,” he said recently.