World SBK: Welcome to Phillip Island and the 2009 season
Here in Pennsylvania winter can keep going easily for the month of March. However, I always feel it could be nearing its end when the first race of World Superbikes takes place. It’s always somewhere South and warm, and this year as they circumnavigate the globe throughout the 2009, 14 round season it starts on the southernmost tip of Australia in Phillip Island.
A hugely competitive field this year, even without Troy Bayliss last year’s champion. With world stars like Noriyuki Haga, Carlos Checa, Max Biaggi and our very own home grown Texan Ben Spies, to name but a few. Troy Corser one of the most experienced riders in the paddock is riding a brand new BMW machine never seen on the circuit before with team mate Ruben Xaus. Also on the starting grid is Leon Haslam, son of British racing legend Ron Haslam, who incidentally was one of the first developers of the standard track day as we know them today in the U.K.
This year, make a point of going to one of the live events. Whether it’s AMA Pro Racing, MotoGP, World Superbikes or a local club race, you should experience the noise and thrill of two wheels thundering down a home straight flat out. Then when you can’t make the races off shore you won’t feel guilty for sitting down with a cold beer and your feet up in front of the TV. I just wish we had more coverage here in the U.S, the Europeans don’t know how lucky they are with it on basic terrestrial TV.
Enjoy the 2009 season and thank you for being one of the AllAboutBikes readers.
Julian V Taylor
Editor-in-Chief
AllAboutBikes.com
