KTM Australia will be represented by some of the most famous names in the business at this weekend’s Troy Bayliss Classic at Old Bar, Taree.

This weekend’s event, hosted by three-time World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss, boasts a star-studded line-up of the biggest names in Australian motorcycle racing, with motocross, speedway, enduro, dirt track and road racing riders all represented for a day of fun, laughs, and of course, elbows out racing.

Event host Troy Bayliss will be one of the favourites in the main event all-stars race, aboard his familiar KTM 450 SMR, which won last year’s race.

The Old Bar circuit is one of the few remaining oil tracks, a surface which in the right conditions, and to a slick-shod, loaded up and crossed up dirt tracker, approximates the grip level of tar, and the Moto GP Grand Prix winner understands its intricacies as well as anyone.

KTM is particularly well represented in the Legends class, with last year’s winner three-time world speedway champion Jason Crump back for more fun.

He’ll also be joined by three time Mr Motocross winner Anthony Gunter, and the boss of KTM Australia, former world motocross vice-champion Jeff Leisk.Enduro and desert racing legend and all-round character Phil Lovett will also be there, to keep the pit banter hilarious and plentiful.

One of the most interesting competitors however will be globetrotting, back flipping, Freestyle Trials World Champion Jack Field.

Bayliss saw Field race in the Industry Class at Moto Expo and was so impressed with the all-round bike skills of the 27-year-old from Byron Bay, that he invited him to compete (Field’s first race on oil track) this weekend.

Jason Crump: “It’s a good bit of fun, I guess. Part of that element goes away once you start racing, but we have to remind ourselves, especially in our class, that our racing days are pretty much behind us and it’s about being social and enjoying the event as much as getting a good result. Obviously last year I was fortunate enough to win the Legends class, so I’m sure there’ll be a few guys this year that are out to put one over me, that’s for sure. The Friday night session when everyone tends to get together at one of Troy’s friends’ houses, that’s a great part of it, but as an ex-racer, I love the build-up on Saturday morning and seeing the crowd there and getting to race again in front of good crowd is exciting as well.”

Jeff Leisk: “I went last year, and Troy is a sweet talker so he talked me into it again. I had fun last time and it’s a good catch-up to be honest, and to be on the track again with old rivals, that’s kind of why I do it. It’s also good to support Troy with what he is doing with the track. He is trying to put something back into a sport that was good to him, so it’s good to support him.
I’m riding a 450SX-F. I think it’s the same bike I rode last year – they’ve just given it a bit of a spruce up with some cool graphics. Last year it was stock standard, but Grabbo tells me it goes better than a standard one now, so I don’t know what that means, but anyway… My goals this weekend involve survival and just having fun.”

Troy Bayliss: “The town is starting to come alive a little bit and it’s starting to look pretty busy. We are in our third year now – so are expecting bigger crowds and more support. The track’s been getting a lot of upgrades and new equipment, so everything is heading in the right direction to have a great event. Probably biggest name rider this year would be Jared Mees who is the American Grand National Champion. He just came back from the Marc Marquez Superprestigio where I competed as well, and he finished second only by half a bike length behind Marc. So it’s great to have someone that fast. He’s actually been staying with us for the last week. He is a really nice guy. Very serious and can certainly put on a good show for everybody. Personally I’m not going too bad. We’ve been busy with lots of bits and pieces so I’m not as fit as I was last year, but the whole idea is to have a great and successful event, and if I do good it’s the icing on the cake for me. This weekend I’m riding my old 2012 SMR 450 in its last event, so I’d like to give it a good send off. It’s been a great bike and served its purposes, and won a few races so that’s all good. I’m just waiting on a few more bits from America to turn up for my new KTM 450 SX which is nearly halfway built – she’s going to be a bit of a gem, actually. Pete Goddard’s riding that one tomorrow, so we’ll see how she goes in the Legends. I guarantee it won’t be last to the first corner.”

Anthony Gunter: “I’ve completed an extensive preparation. I haven’t ridden on a flat track since this event last year, but I’ve put wheels on a new bike last night, put a number on it, put it in the van, and we’ll drive up today. I don’t think I’m going to be busting any records there, but it’s a great atmosphere, and it’s probably grown into being one of the biggest events I guess in Australia. I think they got about 6000 last year, so maybe this year it will be bigger again. The final is really good to watch. Last year Troy and Sammy Halbert were just banging bars the first few laps until Sammy tossed it down. It‘s pretty entertaining.”