SCARBOROUGH resident Bryan Staring is the only West Australian to be chosen for the Kawasaki BC performance Racing Team ahead of a national championship series next month.
The 29-year-old was selected for the brand’s team to compete in February at the 2018 Yamaha Motor Finance Australia Superbike Championship in Victoria.
He started riding when he was four years old and said his passion for the sport originally came from his father, but soon grew because of his love for competition.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWHis return to domestic racing comes after having ended his international career in 2016 due to a broken leg. Staring said he has had about 15 surgical procedures for broken wrists, collarbones, feet, hands and fingers.
“It’s not a hugely enjoyable part of the sport,” he said.
“However I’ve crashed the bikes hundreds of times in my career and although I grant you that the sport is dangerous, I think it’s mostly a calculated risk.”
On the international stage, Staring came close to winning the World Superstock 1000 in 2012, gained experience racing in the world’s most elite motorcycling category of MotoGP in 2013 and competed in the World Superbike in 2014.
He has also made his mark on Australian motorcycle racing by claiming titles such as the 2009 Australian Supersport Champion and the 2010 Australian Superbike Champion.
Staring said it was “special” to represent Kawasaki, especially after having success with their bikes in Europe.
Set to ride the Kawasaki Ninja ZX10RR in the championships, Staring said the bike was “slightly wild”.
“It has sharp aggressive power and well designed ergonomics,” he said.
“I think our bike is a standout.”
The team will look to set the pace at Round 1 of ASBK at Phillip Island in support of the first 2018 WSBK Championship round from February 22-25.
The season ahead:
Pre-Season – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC January 30 – 31 Round 1- WSBK, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC February 22 – 25 Round 2- Wakefield Park Raceway, Goulburn NSW March 16 – 18 Round 3- The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend, SA April 19 – 22 Round 4- Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin NT June 28 – 1 July Round 5- Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick QLD August 17 – 19 Round 6- Winton Motor Raceway, Benalla, VIC September 7 – 8 Round 7- Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC October 12 – 14