PCRA:

Nowland in action at last weekend's 6 Hour at Oran Park. Image: Andrew Gosling.

The Post Classic Racing Association of NSW are proud to announce that  Warwick Nowland will be competing at the 2010 Barry Sheene Festival of Speed, as part of an action packed line up.

Warwick Nowland, 2000 & 2002 World Endurance Champion is taking a step backwards in time to take on Australia’s top historic riders including the evergreen Robbie Phillis in the Unlimited Forgotten Era Class.

Robbie Phillis has dominated this class since his return to racing, so Warwick has his work cut out for him on the Keith Higgs owned P & M 1200 Kawasaki.

Keith Higgs, UK Forgotten Era Champion in 2000 & Current PCRA Forgotten Era Unlimited Club Champion will be very quick on an identical machine, so watch out for the two green meanies in a very competitive field of large capacity 1980’s superbikes.

In addition to the Unlimited Forgotten Era Class, Warwick will be competing in the ‘Barry Sheene Memorial’ feature race, a shoot out between the fastest 40 riders on pre-1980 bikes.

On the fun side of things Warwick will also be returning to the  ‘grass roots’ of 80’s racing aboard a 1980 Yamaha RD250LC, the bike that spawned the Pro Am Series that launched many International stars in the 80s through cheap and close racing.

“I’m a little bit scared of racing these older bikes!” Nowland said

“I think the guys that raced in this era are the real heroes. And I don’t want people to think I’m retiring to the historic classes, there are still things to achieve overseas as a rider.

“So the weekend will be a lot of fun. I’m grateful to Scott Waters and Keith Higgs for giving me the opportunity and it’s a pleasure to be a part of anything associated with Barry Sheene.

“My former team, Phase One Yamaha who know Keith Higgs very well, have a P&M Kawasaki and have told me all about it. I can imagine it will be very fast, very heavy and not interested in turning corners!

“Riding the RD250 will bring back memories of RGV250’s even though they are quite different. As for the opposition, well we will see what happens but I never thought I would race against Robbie Phillis so I am looking forward to it!”

As part of the Post Classic Racing Association (PCRA) of NSW constant efforts to improve the quality of historic motorcycle racing in NSW, prize money will be on offer at the Barry Sheene Festival of Speed.

In 2010, the PCRA will be offering up to $20,000 in prize money over the course of the weekend.

Competitors in the main feature race, the ‘Barry Sheene Memorial’, for the fastest 40 riders on Pre-1980 bikes will have the chance to win up to $13,000 as they compete in two races of 8 laps each.

In a salute to the class of bikes Barry Sheene competed in before he passed away, a Pre- 1962 500cc feature race called the, ‘Premier 500 Class’ has been included in the race programme.

Riders in this race will compete over six laps race to be held on Easter Sunday & will be vying for prize money of up to $5000.

As part of our combined sponsorship deal with the Norton Owner’s Club of NSW, the ‘Unapproachable F750 Challenge’ for Pre-1972 750cc bikes will also offer cash prizes.

The 2010 Barry Sheene Festival of Speed is on the 3rd – 4th April at the Eastern Creek International Raceway. A percentage of the proceeds go to the Prostate Cancer foundation of Australia.

For further details contact Scott Waters on 0425344711 or visit, www.barrysheene.com.au.