Blair to race ASBK in 2017

Rising superbike star Michael Blair has confirmed he will contest the 2017 Australian Superbike Championship, strengthening the already impressive field of talented vying for next year’s crown.

The 22-year old New South Welshman made his Superbike debut in February at the opening round of this year’s Yamaha Motorcycle Finance Australian Superbike Championship at Phillip Island, finishing an impressive fifth place overall with three sixth place finishes aboard his IPONE sponsored Yamaha YZF-R1 machine.

Blair went on to contest the Australasian Superbike Championship and scored two race wins, three second places and five thirds to finish second in series behind 2016 champion Robbie Bugden.

“I’m very excited to be able to say I will be racing in the ASBK in 2017 and try and fight it out with the factory riders,” Blair told AMCN.

“The ASBK does look like it has come on strong this year, so hopefully it can continue like that for many years to come.”

 “As much as I would have liked to have raced in this year’s ASBK series, I couldn’t as I was already dedicated to race in the ARRC. In saying that I have learnt a lot racing in this year’s Australasian Superbike Championship, so hopefully that will be a good platform to launch myself into the ASBK to fight it out against the likes of Troy [Herfoss] and Glenn [Allerton].”

In terms of goals, Blair is eyeing off a top six championship position, and hopes to be able to fight for podium finishes come halfway in the season.

“I know next year won’t be easy at all. There are a lot of extremely good riders lining up on the grid next year, so I’ll have to be on my game from the word go. However I’m looking forward to the challenge and I believe we have a good package to fight for top five finishes and hopefully a few podium finishes.”

“I hope to continue my fast progress with the Superbike and can’t wait to be up the front on the Yamaha R1.”

With the ASBK series heading to Phillip Island twice in 2017, Blair said that he is excited about that as he regards the ‘Island’ as one of his favourite circuits to race on along with Sydney Motorsport Park which is the penultimate round next year.

AMCN will have a full preview of the 2017 ASBK series in the next issue of AMCN on sale 5 January.

Words & Images – Russell Colvin