bLU cRU OJC joins Australian 2020 MotoGP & WSBK rounds
It’s been announced by MA that Australia’s bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup will join the 2020 Australian World Superbike and MotoGP championship rounds, both held at Phillip Island in the new year, giving the young up and coming racers an opportunity to show their talent on the world stage.
Officially recognised by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and Dorna Sports sl as part of the Road to MotoGP program, after only one season the Motorcycling Australia Australian Junior Road Race Academy initiative has secured a spot at the two international events, alongside four Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) rounds for its 2020 calendar.
The Oceania Junior Cup will kick off in 2020 at the Official ASBK Pre-Season test at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit (January 29-30), before the season starts in earnest at the WorldSBK at Phillip Island (February 27).
Next the Juniors will travel to Wakefield Park in Goulburn alongside the ASBK for Round 2 over the March 27-29 weekend, followed by a mid-year test at Morgan Park in Queensland held July 28-29, before Round 3 at the same venue on August 7-9.
Winton will hold Round 4, over the September 11-13 weekend, with Round 5 returning to Phillip Island in early October, followed by the season closer in late October, with Round 6 to run October 23-25, alongside the MotoGP.
Motorcycling Australia Operations Director, Martin Port, said the addition of OJC to the WorldSBK and MotoGP calendar, was further evidence of the success and worldwide recognition of the academy.
Martin Port – MA Operations Director
“It’s an understatement to say the inaugural season of OJC has exceeded our expectations – with lap records, ridiculously close racing, the show has simply been world class. Then to have had the opportunity to send our OJC kids to the Red Bull Rookies Cup and the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup (IATC) selection events, with the only two new Aussie recruits into the IATC coming from the OJC, we couldn’t be prouder. Now, thanks to the vision from the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) and PI SBK Pty Ltd, to invest in Australian Junior Road Racing, the OJC will show case its racing future at two of Australia’s largest international motorcycle racing events. What MA have produced this year in terms of junior rider development and action-packed racing under the Road to MotoGP program has been recognised by both the WorldSBK and MotoGP events, so we are very proud of that.”
Craig Fletcher – Australian Grand Prix Corporation General Manager
“The Oceania Junior Cup is such a wonderful program and we’re excited to see the young talent shine for the first time on the world stage supporting the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix on one of the most celebrated MotoGP circuits in the world come October 2020.”
David Bennett – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, General Manager
“We’re thrilled to add the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup to the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship, Yamaha Finance Australian Round at Phillip Island in 2020. This is a great opportunity for the next generation of Australian riders to showcase their talent on the world-stage and it’s fantastic to see Motorcycling Australia create such an exciting talent pathway that will hopefully see an Australian rider in the Superbike World Championship in the future.”
2020 bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup Calendar
- Pre-Season Official Test – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC 29-30 Jan
- Round 1 – WorldSBK – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC 27 Feb-1 Mar
- Round 2 – Wakefield Park Raceway – Goulburn, NSW 27-29 Mar
- Mid-Year Official Test – Morgan Park Raceway, QLD 28-29 Jul
- Round 3 – Morgan Park Raceway – Warwick, QLD 7-9 Aug
- Round 4 – Winton Motor Raceway, Benalla VIC 11-13 Sep
- Round 5 – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Cowes VIC 2-4 Oct
- Round 6 – MotoGP Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Cowes VIC 23-25 Oct
Source: MCNews.com.au