Rookie Michael Blair impresses in 2017 ASBK season
Emerging Australian Superbikes talent Michael Blair is a name sports fans should watch closely.
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EMERGING Australian Superbikes talent Michael Blair is a name sports fans should watch closely.
The 23-year-old Empire Bay local wrapped up his 2017 racing season in style on Sunday, taking out the last race at the MotoGP at Phillip Island.
“I just got my first win this weekend down at the MotoGP at Phillip Island and finished second overall for that which is really good,” Blair said.
“Everyone is on a high. It’s pretty awesome to win a race in front of that many people that were there and against the calibre of world class riders that were in the Championship.
“It’s really good for the first year in the ASBK and first year in this class.”
Blair competed in the Australian Superbike Championship as a rookie this year, ending the campaign in eighth place.
“It’s been good. It’s been a really big learning curve but we finished the season quite strong in eighth overall. We had a few crashes throughout some of the races,” he said.
“I’ve learnt it’s a long Championship so you don’t have to come out and do anything silly in the first few rounds.
“You just need to play it smart and be consistent, that’s the main thing. If you can finish consistently in the top five throughout the Championship, you’ll probably be in a pretty good running to win it.”
A love of racing clearly runs through the family for Blair, as his father Matt, is a world champion who competed with motorcycle legend Mick Doohan.
“I started on dirt bikes just riding around our house and then got into flat track racing when I was about 13, and then I started road racing after that and have been doing that since,” Blair said.
He also thanked his sponsors for their support this campaign.
“Without the sponsors we wouldn’t be doing it as it’s quite an expensive sport,” Blair said.
“The Gosford Classic Car Museum, John Singleton and Yamaha and all of the other little sponsors that have helped out has just made it so much easier for us.
“It helps so we’re focused on being as competitive as we can and just getting out there.”