Baker Wants ASBK Double
As the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul (ASBK), returns to Wakefield Park Raceway, 16-year-old Ben Baker finds himself in the enviable position of leading both the Dunlop Supersport 300 and Yamaha Finance R3 Cup.
Baker, from Woongarrah, NSW, aboard the YRD/Shoei/Alpinestars/West Sliders/Sydney Dyno Yamaha YZF-R3 has a 35-point lead in both Championships over his nearest rival.
Both Baker, and MotoStars/RS+C/Doctor Mak Yamaha/YRD/Motul/Pirelli rider Carter Thompson, have each dominated a round of the Supersport 300 and R3 Cup Championships earlier this year, with Thompson missing the Wakefield Park Raceway Round 3 because of international duties with the Asia Talent Cup.
Thompson dominated the Winton Motor Raceway round in the Supersport 300 class with three victories and set a new lap record while Baker was close behind scoring three second places.
In the Yamaha Finance R3 Cup Thompson took home two victories and a second, while baker scored one victory and two second placings.
At the Wakefield Park Raceway round, in front of a bumper crowd, it was a Baker one man show as he dominated both classes and also set new lap records.
However, Baker is well aware of the very strong talent and competition in both Championships and is under no illusion of the battles that lay ahead for the rest of the season in the Championship title chase.
“I think it will be a good battle when Carter is back here, so I’ve just got to be consistent, finish every race, and see what happens,” said the talented young rider.
“The competition is always tight, there are a lot of good teams and riders.
“You’ve got Archie McDonald who is always strong and he came back after a broken leg at the start of the year and he was pretty strong at Wakefield.
“Zach Johnson is another on the 400 who has been fast all year and has also come back to the 300 class so he’s only going to get better through the year so its going to be pretty tight.”
What makes Baker’s form impressive this year, is only days prior to the first round his Mum and Dad scrambled to put a bike together for him to compete on, but it is the confidence in the people around him that he claims has made a difference this year.
“This year we have me, Dad, Mum and Greg Epis helping us, and it is awesome being with the Maxima BMW team and in their garage, the environment is a lot better.
“I’m training a lot more and I’m more focused this year and want to win.
“The goal is to always win the Championship and to win the double this year for my parents who have worked so hard to pay for everything and we’ve had a bit of bad luck the last couple of years and to get that would be just awesome for everyone who supports me.
“Hopefully, we can get the double championship win this year and be the first one to do it.”
There is a large support team around Baker helping him race in 2021 including Yamaha, YRD, Alpinestars, Shoei, SCK Excavations, Sydney Dyno, Utech Design, West Sliders, Two Wheel Obsession and Maxima.
For Baker there is only one Championship to compete in, ASBK.
“The Championship is growing, it’s growing spectators, and has become a good championship to be around and is a lot more professional.”
What does the future hold for this talented young man?
“Next year we will definitely be on a 600.”
With a number of young riders stepping into the Supersport class next year, Supersport fans will be in for a fantastic year of racing.
Keep up to date with the latest news on the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul via www.asbk.com.au and following ASBK on Facebook and Instagram. You can also join our ASBK mailing list at www.asbk.com.au
ASBK CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR
Round 1 Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC February 18-21 – Cancelled
Round 2 Winton Motor Raceway, Benalla, VIC March 12-14
Round 3 Wakefield Park Raceway, Goulburn, NSW April 16-18
Round 4 Hidden Valley Raceway, NT – Supercars 2+4 (Superbikes only) June 18-20
Round 5 – Wakefield Park Raceway, NSW October 15 – 17
Round 6 – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC (SBK Only 2+4 with Supercars) October 22 – 24
Round 7 & 8 – The Bend Motorsport Park, SA November 11 – 14* (Double Header Round) *Except SBK who will have a single round x3 races = 1x Race Saturday and 2x Sunday)
Round 9 – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC December 3 – 5
