Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Competition Bike newcomer, Rob Church, is already making waves as the series heads to Dragway at The Bend for the Spring Nationals across October 21 and 22.
The local racer only started racing 12 months ago, and made his Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series debut at last month’s Sunset Nationals at Mildura’s Sunset Strip, where he went all the way to the final against reigning champion, Joe Khoury.
Church’s Mildura finals berth followed a breakthrough event win at Whyalla’s Steel City Raceway – which was only the second time he had competed on his current bike.
“I am a very competitive person and about 12 months ago I decided to give drag racing a go following history in motocross and jetski racing, as I have some friends who are involved and with Dragway at The Bend opening up it seemed like an exciting option,” Church explained.
“I started on a slick tyred bar bike to start with and gave that a go for seven months, but without a crew I was finding it tough in April I purchased an extended swing arm Hayabusa. The bike was owned by former Modified Bike champion Jake Hamilton-Moderate, who raced to second in the Competition Bike title last season with this bike.
“The second time I raced it I won at Whyalla against a quality Competition Bike field which was a massive shock for me.
“And then in September at Mildura’s Sunset Nationals I won all three races and qualified to race against Joe Khoury in the final.”
While his Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series debut was a successful one with the runner-up honours, Church had a stressful start to the event.
“After winning at Whyalla we had some issues with the bike, and it needed a rebuild. That took four months in total, and we only just put the motor back in on the Tuesday before the Sunset Nationals, and then were waiting on a $40 part to come from interstate.
“That part rocked up at 1.00pm on the Friday, the day before the event start, so I raced out to pick it up and drop it to Trevor Birrell’s workshop who then finished off the final stages in a massive effort by Trev and his team.
“The bike went on the dyno at 4.00pm for two and a half hours. Once I loaded it back up, I headed home to pick up my wife and we headed to Mildura, getting to the motel at 2.00am on the Saturday.
“It was a bit stressful of course not knowing how the bike would perform, but I was very pleased to go on to qualify third fastest from a field of nine and then made the final after winning all three races by two hundredths of a second.
“I was very nervous being in my first national-level final in my short racing career, but I had a lot of support from fellow riders and my wife. It was a very close race – I lost by only a few hundredths of a second to the current Australian number one. My ET and MPH were faster, but he got me at the tree and all congratulations must go to Joe – he is a great guy.”
As a SA local, Church is understandably very excited about Dragway at The Bend coming online.
“I am feeling nervous, but excited. We have a test and tune on the 15th of October so hopefully that will help give me a bit of an edge against the interstate riders. We also were at the HogsFest event where we got to have a few exhibition passes which was really cool. We are really so lucky to have this massive facility in our State,” Church said.
“To get ready for the event we are focusing on fine tuning our techniques and the engine, as I am still learning as I am still so new to this sport. Drag racing sure looks easy until you get out there!” he laughed.
“Thank you to my mate Matt Walden for getting me involved and for his endless help and mentoring. Thank you also to my engine builder, Trevor Birrell; to Sean for his help with tuning; to Red Mist Motorcycles Accessories for their help and support, and also of course to my wife Sonja for all her help and understanding,” concluded Church, while noting he is currently looking for sponsors as he looks to tackle as many upcoming national-level championship events a possible over the coming season.
The Spring Nationals will be held at Dragway at The Bend across October 21 and 22 alongside the NDRC and will mark the latest Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series event of 2023. For event information, visit www.thebend.com.au
For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au