Stephen Gall and Chris Hollis during testing for the Troy Bayliss Classic.

Kempsey Dirt Track played host to some of the biggest names in motorbike racing over the weekend with a selection of riders from the Pixado Troy Bayliss Classic visiting the northern NSW track to practice ahead of the 19 January event.

With the Taree track off limits to all riders in preparation for the inaugural event, Troy Bayliss, Jason Crump, Stephan Gall, Chris Hollis, Wayne Maxwell, David Armstrong, Vaughan Style, Phil Lovett, Barry Cockle, Damian Cudlin, Paul Caslick and Josh Hook spent the weekend practicing mock starts and honing their dirt track skills.

The group even also surprised a group of young riders and spent time assisting Paul Caslick at a junior motorcycle clinic.

Now just two weeks out from the highly anticipated event, the star-studded rider line-up is getting down to business. Riders are testing, bikes are being built, set-ups are being finalized and strategies talked.

Acknowledging that come race day, it will be a fiercely contested program, Bayliss said it was shaping up to be an event not to be missed.

“Its been great to get some more testing in with the guys,” Bayliss said. “We are about to see what happens when you put 24 highly competitive riders from a range of disciplines on one track.

“Everyone is competitive and on the pace, it’s going to be an amazing event.”

Three-time Speedway World Champion Jason Crump is also looking forward at going head-to-head with some of Australia’s current motorcycling champions.

“We’ve had heaps of fun testing over the past couple of days at Kempsey,” Crump added. “I can’t wait to get to the Troy Bayliss Classic in Taree, the racing at Old Bar is going to be unreal.”

The weekend provided a step back in time for five-time Australian Motocross Champion Stephen Gall.

“Its great to be back at a dirt track,” Gall said. “It has been 31 years since I last raced at Kempsey.“I actually won an Australian championship in my last race there.

“I’m looking forward to the Troy Bayliss Classic in Taree on the 19th, there are a lot of great riders participating, we are going to have a lot of fun. I reckon the crowd is really going to enjoy it as well.”

Enduro star Chris Hollis who only had his first test on an oil based dirt track a few weeks ago said he was looking forward to the event.

“I had my first ever day on a oil based dirt track a few weeks ago,” Hollis explained. ”It was something totally different to the off road and motocross tracks I am used to.

“I am really looking forward to hanging with all the guys, the rider line-up is amazing, it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The Pixado Troy Bayliss Classic will be held at Taree Motorcycle Club on Saturday, 19 January.

With ticket sales exceeding expectations, the public are encouraged to purchase tickets online https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?ID=7910.

Book accommodation now at the Manning Valley Visitor Information Centre 1800 182 733 or online at www.manningvalley.info.

For more information on the Pixado Troy Bayliss Classic visit the official Facebook Page by clicking here.