Old School Moto - Australian Style

Dirt Track News - KTM's Jeff Leisk Joins The Legends At Bayliss Classic

KTM Australia General Manager Jeff Leisk has swapped the suit for a set of leathers and slipped quietly out the back door of the office to join an impressive list of legends taking part in this weekend’s Troy Bayliss Classic at Old Bar, Taree.

During his professional career in the eighties and early nineties, Leisk was Australia’s most successful motocross export, earning factory contracts in the US and at Grand Prix level in Europe. The two-time Aussie Mister Motocross finished as Vice Champion in the premier 500cc class of the World Motocross Championships at his first attempt in 1989, before retiring from international motocross at the end of 1990. This weekend’s event, hosted by three-time World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss assembles a star-studded lineup of the biggest names in Aussie road racing, motocross, speedway, enduro and dirt track for a day of fun, laughs, and of course, elbows out racing. 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. Leisk will take a 450SX-F into the event, while KTM Off-Road Team heroToby Price will make his second appearance at the classic on his 350EXC-F. “I’ve had a couple of days to get some practice, both on a kart track and on a motocross track; it’s not bad planning a day of just going riding!" Leisk explaind. "The idea is to enjoy myself but it’s better to get your eye in and enjoy it more. "I’ve always liked dirt track events like King of the Mountain in Toowoomba and what was probably Australia’s first Supermoto event at Eastern Creek in the early 90s and won them both so it’s a style I like. "I think it’s great what Troy’s doing, he’s putting a lot back into the sport and it’s good to be able to support him and catch up with some mates and have fun as well. I rode with him the other day and he goes extremely hard - completely sideways everywhere and he’s a bit of a character," Leisk continued. "Troy’s on a KTM, and we’ll be supporting Toby Price, Jason Crump, Angus Reekie - who should go well - and the likes of Antony Gunter in the Legends class. "My 450 SX-F is awesome; Al Reekie prepared it for me. We’ve kept it pretty simple but it’s easily good enough for the rider! I’m feeling pretty excited, mixed in with some anxiety about the first corner, but hey, someone’s got to get in there first," he added. KTM-backed Three-time Speedway World ChampionJason Crump and 6-time national Supermoto champ Angus Reekie will also further boost stocks in the orange camp on a pair of 450SX-Fs. Also KTM mounted on the day will be the likes of Garry McCoy, Jack Miller, Stu Bennett, Dave Armstrong,Shayne King and Vaughan Style. “The event has become bigger than I imagined and probably bigger than Troy ever did." Crump commented. "I reckon it’s the biggest dirt track meeting we’ve ever seen in Australia and the support from the industry and the riders shows the level of respect we all have for him - and how much fun we all had last year. "The racing will be hard and aggressive, but my aim is to have fun and for everyone to come away in one piece. It will be heaps of fun just hanging out with everyone and being a part of it and I really want to thank KTM for this support that enables me to compete.” Angus Reekie is looking forward to his first racing experience on an oiled track. “This will be my first time on an oil track and I’m really, really looking forward to it. The lineup is incredible. I can’t believe how many talented riders will be in the same place! "I’ve been motocrossing a fair bit for training and fitness, so we’ll see how we go. We’ll give it heaps, then go have a good time with the boss.” Reekie commented. Price can't wait to be back on track with so many of Australia's past champions from all different disiplines off motorcycle racing and will certainly be aiming to beat his boss when racing gets underway. “It’s gonna be good fun to be there with so many great champions, it will be cool to see." Price stated. "I hear there’s this bloke called The Flying Freckle (Leisk) so I’ll see if I can fix that guy up. "Geez I’d better - if the boss beats me I might not have a job come Monday! For me it’s just a fun event; I’ll be running my 350SX-F and I just want to bang some bars with Leisky and have a good time.”