Levy Gears Up for Big 2018 ASBK Season
With the 2018 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli set to commence this weekend in Victoria, youngster Mitch Levy is looking forward to getting his season underway and is hoping to make an impression off the back of last season’s encouraging debut.
Having achieved his goal of placing 10th overall during his maiden ASBK attempt in 2017, the 23-year-old privateer Yamaha rider has now set his sights on challenging for podium results and feels confident of being able to achieve front-running results throughout the season, after significant preparation during the off season.
“We’ve done a lot of work during the off season to learn as much as we can about the bike and we definitely feel more prepared, having had a base understanding of the bike and the tracks after last season,” commented Levy, from Dural in NSW.
“We’re also a lot more mentally prepared this season because we know exactly what to expect, so we’re hoping that will help to give us a more relaxed approach to each round.”
Commencing his racing career in dirt bikes, Levy traded dirt for asphalt at the age of 15 when his great uncle gave him the opportunity to test his skills on a road bike, later joining the Supersport class where he built up his race craft, before moving into the YMI Superbike class last season.
While his first few Superbike rides were completely different to what he had previously experienced, having to work more on tyre management, Levy certainly held his own against the formidable factory teams, with his best individual result being sixth place in the opening round at the Phillip Island Circuit, which shared the bill with the opening World Superbike Championship round.
“Being a privateer team, it’s definitely more satisfying to come away with a strong result against the factory teams and it makes you realise that you’ve definitely earnt it,” added Levy.
“The difference between how much time and effort can be put into both the rider and the bike in a factory team as opposed to a privateer team is fairly substantial and it’s definitely a challenge going head to head with them, but it’s also a very exciting one.”
The ASBk is scheduled to commence at the Phillip Island Circuit on February 22-25, which once again doubles as the opening World Superbike Championship round, and Levy will no doubt be hoping to build on the momentum of last season’s pleasing result to work towards the podium up against the tough factory outfits.
Levy is also looking forward to contesting round three of the Championship at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia, which is a new track on the Championship circuit and will no doubt produce some competitive racing, with riders having not yet competed there.
Levy would like to thank his 2018 season sponsors: ATR, Greg & Nadene Seisun, Manshed Auctions, Adam Gorrell Automotive, Advanced Group, Held Australia, YRD, Wales Truck & Bus Repairs, Central Air Conditioning, Diacore, A1 Rubber, Airoh Helmets, Cut & Core, Beta Tools, and Motul.
To find out more about Levy and his team, LIKE them on Facebook by searching Mitch Levy #68.
2018 ASBK Calendar
Round 1- WSBK, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC February 22 – 25
Round 2- Wakefield Park Raceway, Goulburn NSW March 16 – 18
Official ASBK Test, The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend, SA April 3-4
Round 3- The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend, SA April 19 – 22
Round 4- Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin NT June 28 – 1 July
Round 5- Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick QLD August 17 – 19
Round 6- Winton Motor Raceway, Benalla, VIC September 7 – 9
Round 7- Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC October 12 – 14
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