SCOTTISH rider Bruce Cobburn will be making the long trek from the Northern Hemisphere to compete in this weekend’s 2016 Motul Pirelli Victorian Road Racing Championship at Phillip Island, August 27-28.
For Bruce Cobburn, riding at the world-renowned motorcycle circuit, that also hosts the illustrious Australian MotoGP, has always been a dream. “I turn 50 years old on August 31 so I want to be able to celebrate it in style and to be able to tick Phillip Island off the top of my bucket list,” Bruce said.
Bruce, who currently sits second overall in the Scottish Motorcycle Racing Championship in the Junior Post Classic Series on a 1987 Yamaha FZ600, expects the VRRC to be very competitive when he straps on the leathers at the Island this weekend: “I know it’s very competitive, particularly in the Superbike and Supersport classes. I will be riding the Modern FP1 and expect to be learning a lot from the experienced riders,” Bruce said.
Bruce was third in the Hottrax Endurance Series in 2008 on a CBR600RR, finished fourth in the Scottish Motorcycle Racing Championship in 2015, and was the North East Motorcycle Racing Club Junior Post Classic Champion in 2014.
Bruce will fortunately head to the Island being in strong form with two wins and an impressive eleven podiums in the Scottish Motorcycle Racing Championship so far this season.
Bruce suspects racing in Australia to be much the same as it is in Scotland: “The Scottish racing scene has a wonderful camaraderie about it with competitor helping fellow competitor whenever they can.
“When the red-light goes off we ride the bikes hard but after the chequered flag we get together, there are pats on the back, congratulations to the winners, and playfully winding-up the losers.
“It’s organised and run very well by an exceptional bunch of volunteers, ably assisted by the orange army of marshals. I suspect racing in Australia to be much the same,” Bruce added.
On this weekend at the VRRC, Bruce added: “Above all I want to enjoy myself. I’ll best achieve this by honestly assessing what my starting level is and how much I have actually learned from the practice I have done at home on the R1.
“My small bike experience won’t help me much. My relative pace on the big bike will be slower than what I have had on the small bikes and I accept this will be the case. I am to improve as the weekend progresses. Making progress will ensure I maximise my enjoyment,” Bruce said.
“I would like to say a big thank-you to Peter and Amy Singe for sharing their home during my stay and to Pete for sharing his bike with me and I’d like to be able to welcome all other competitors to our garage when the kettle will always be on,” Bruce added.
Round 2 of the 2016 Pirelli Motul Victorian Road Racing Championships takes place at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on August 27-28.
For more information please visit: www.vrrc.com.au.