2012 Adelaide Masters Series Starts to Take Shape

[Mago]

Ireland's premier Short Circuit Motorcycle Racing Championship, the Adelaide Masters Series, is set to continue into 2012 with renewed backing from Motorcycle Insurance Specialists Adelaide Insurance.

As a testament to the growing stature of the series, the championship's TV coverage on UTV will expand to a one hour show from each event and will now be screened on Saturday or Sunday with indications that an afternoon slot will be provided.

The 2012 championship format will continue along similar lines to 2011, concentrating on the Superbike and Supersport classes. As is 2011 there will be a 'Cup' class within those series and additional support races will also be run. The championship schedule will expand to five events for its second season, with four race meetings at Mondello Park and the fifth event in Northern Ireland. Full details of the 2012 calendar are still being finalised and will be announced over the coming weeks.

While expanding to five events the organisers are also seeking to make the series more accessible to a greater number of riders and to cut costs for competitors and it is hoped that both entry and testing fees can be reduced for 2012.

In line with the championships' previously stated position, the overall series will remain as an 'Open' tyre formula where riders are free to use whatever tyres they wish. For its second season, the 'Cup' class for Clubman riders, previously known as the Bridgestone Cup, will now also be an open tyre class and Mondello Park is looking forward to the increased competition between the major tyre brands.

It is hoped that the retention of the 'Open' tyre rules and an increase in prize money at each event, will help the series to continue to attract top-line riders to the circuit. The final two-day meeting will retain its now traditional larger prize fund, and the organisers will be working hard to attract an even more impressive line-up for this event.

Details of the calendar, prize fund, TV coverage and other aspects of the series are still being finalised and will be released in due course.

In addition to the Masters series events, Clubman racing will also be part of the 2012 Mondello Park calendar, with three events scheduled and these too will run to an open tyre format.