Troy Bayliss Hosting All-Star Flat Track Race

Troy Bayliss is hosting a dirt track race in Australia featuring 24 current and former racing stars. The inaugural Troy Bayliss Classic takes place Jan. 19 at the three-time World Superbike Champion’s home town of Taree, Australia.

The race will feature entries representing different racing disciplines. Participants include former MotoGP racer Chris Vermeulen, current MotoGP racer Randy de Puniet, three-time Speedway World Champion Jason Crump, Australian Superbike racers Shawn Giles and Jamie Stauffer, former AMA Supermoto Champion Troy Herfoss, motocross racers Stephen Gall, Toby Price, and Josh Brookes, and off-road racer Chris Hollis.

“Initially I think the perception of the event was that it was possibly going to be considered as a display race, however any time you put 24 highly competitive riders of this caliber together, make no mistake, we all want to get the win,” says Bayliss. “In talking to the guys this week at testing, they are all very excited about the event and keen to lock in some bragging rights for the next 12 months.”

Though he is best known for his success racing for Ducati, Bayliss will be riding a Husqvarna TC449 prepared by the brand’s Australian importer, the Paul Freeney Group.

“Troy and I are good mates though I never contemplated ever seeing Troy compete on a Husqvarna, so it is a genuine thrill for me to have him on the Husqvarna TC 449 this weekend for a one off race,” says Paul Freeney. “A few of the boys have indicated that they are taking the race very seriously and it should add to what is set to be a great days racing.”

[Source: Troy Bayliss Classic (Facebook)]

By Dennis Chung