Harry & Jim Budd Motorsport

Photo from Jim’s personal album

Motorcycling Australia (MA) is pleased to announce that 1976 Australian Unlimited Road Racing Champion, Warren Willing, will return to the track this Easter at the 2010 Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza (HBBB).

Willing, whose battles with friend and arch-rival, Gregg Hansford in the 1970s are still talked about, will cut demonstration laps on the special 3-cylinder Suzuki 350, built for him to contest the 1973 New Zealand International Season.

Photo Credit - Deejay51.com

The machine features a Steve Roberts chassis and is now owned by Darwin enthusiast Peter Shires.  Apart from a handful of demonstration laps at the inaugural Phillip Island Grand Prix in 1989, Willing has not been aboard a racing motorcycle since a serious accident at the North West 200 in Ireland in May 1979. Willing sustained multiple leg injuries which required many operations and years of rehabilitation and recovery.

Although his stellar career as a rider was over, Willing never lost his appetite for competition, carving a new career as a Team Manager and Technician.  In his role as head of the Australian Marlboro Yamaha Team, Willing gave young Queenslander Mick Doohan his big break on the highly successful Yamaha Superbikes.  Doohan’s remarkable year in 1988 led to him signing for Honda and 1989 and going on to win five World 500cc Titles.

Willing then moved on to the international scene, acting as technician with the Kenny Roberts Yamaha squad and looking after Kevin Magee for the 1989 season.  He subsequently worked with Wayne Rainey, Luca Cadalora and Jean-Michel Bayle and became renowned as one of the best chassis and suspension workers in the business.

In a career which saw him work with the Suzuki and KTM Works Teams, and the private Roberts Squad, a highlight was winning the World 500cc Championship with Kenny Roberts Junior in 2000.

The HBBB will also feature demonstrations by US Motocross Champion Gary Jones, Enduro and Motocross star Pelle Granquist, and Honda’s first Australian Motocross Champion Brian Martin amongst others.

photo credit: vintagebike.co.uk

More information about the event is available on the MA website: www.ma.org.au/hbbb.

This has been around for a while, but it’s still a good one.  JB would have loved it!

Farewell to the Grand Old Lady! Had many a good time, and have some long lasting memories from this place.

Phillip Island Ride Day customers were treated to a special experience earlier this week when Australian dual World Supersport Champion Andrew Pitt tried his new Reitwagen BMW Team S 1000 RR for size in the A group over two days.

With electronic components failing to arrive in time for the team to take part in their official test at Eastern Creek in early January, the decision was made to allow Andrew to spend a few days lapping Phillip Island to make a start on bike
preparations in the lead up to official testing this coming weekend.

Andrew Pitt, “Although this was not at all what I would call a test, the laps were very valuable in setting up riding position for footpegs, levers, handlebars and so forth, plus allowed us to scrub brake discs and find a starting point for geometry. We also learned a small amount about tyre wear and we have helpful data to take to the official tests this weekend.

“With the amount of traffic and the speed of the superbike compared to road bikes, obviously safety of other riders and myself was a priority over the two days and although no timing equipment is allowed I would estimate that I was a good few seconds off normal testing pace. However, this still allowed us to play with geometry and riding position and allowed me to become familiar with the bike. “There is no doubt the bike is very fast and the power curve is nice so I’m looking forward to really pushing the bike this weekend.”

Special thanks to Steve Brouggy and team from Phillip Island Ride Days.  To  follow  Andrew’s  progress  or  email  him  fan  mail  visit  his  website visit:  www.andrewpitt.com

Photo Credit - Steven Duggan (sdpics.com)

Bio
Racing number: 88
Date of birth: February 19, 1976.
Birthplace: Kempsey NSW, Australia.
First race: 1994 Oran Park, NSR250 Formula 2
First win: 1994 Oran Park, NSR 250 Formula 2 (Won first ever race)
World Supersport debut: 2000, Australia, Phillip island
First World Supersport win: 2002 Australian, Phillip Island.
Total World Supersport wins: 7
Total World Supersport podiums: 21
World Superbike debut: 2005, Qatar, Losail
First World Superbike win: 2006, Misano
Total World Superbike wins: 1
Total World Superbike podium places: 6
World Championship Titles
World Supersport Champion 2001 – Kawasaki, 2008 – Honda.

Career Highlights
1996: 2nd Australian 250cc production Championship
1997: Victorian Supersport Champion
1998: 2nd Australian Supersport Championship
1999: Australian Supersport Champion, 2nd Superbike – Kawasaki
2000: 10th World Supersport Championship – Kawasaki
2001: World Supersport Champion – Kawasaki
2002: 5th World Supersport Championship
26th MotoGP World Championship – Kawasaki
2003: 26th MotoGP World Championship – Kawasaki
2004: 27th MotoGP World Championship – Moriwaki
12th World Supersport Championship – Yamaha
2005: 8th World Superbike Championship – Yamaha
2006: 5th World Superbike Championship – Yamaha
2007: 17th World Supersport Championship – Honda
2008: World Supersport Champion – Honda
2009: Sixth World Supersport Championship – Honda

PRESS CONTACT: Jeff Ware, JP Media P/L – editor@rapidbikes.com.au, +61 (0) 409 315 041