Phillip Island celebrates 25th WorldSBK anniversary as new season begins
Friday 19 February – The 2015 eni FIM World Superbike Championship officially began with a series of events that also celebrated 25 years of WorldSBK competition at the iconic Phillip Island GP Circuit.
Kicking things off was a Welcome Press Conference during which Fergus Cameron, Phillip Island GP Circuit Managing Director received an FIM 25th WSBK Anniversary plate. The plate was presented to the circuit by FIM Jury President, Rudiger Merdes.
Following this was the Official Opening Round Rider Press Conference that included reigning World Champion Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Honda World Superbike Team), Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki), Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team), Jordi Torres (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) and Chaz Davies (Aruba Ducati SBK), who each answered a series of questions about the opening round and the season ahead.
The latter part of the morning saw a unique “25 years of WorldSBK at Phillip Island” photo opportunity at the Southern Loop (turn 2) during which a helicopter swooped low over the assembled riders and team personnel providing some spectacular images.
Sylvain Guintoli, Alex Lowes, Jonathan Rea, Tom Sykes, Leon Haslam, Niccolò Canepa and Leon Camier were then joined by Australian wildcards Jed Metcher, and Aiden Wagner for a visit to Cowes Primary School. The delighted local children surprised the riders with interesting questions about motorcycle safety and providing them with Vegemite filled sandwiches, before posing for photos and showing them their very own small off-road bikes that were brought into the school for the occasion.
The long awaited on track action will begin tomorrow with the Free Practice sessions for both World Superbike and World Supersport categories.