COLLINS Cap motorbike racing teenager David Coward showed his skills against adult competition earlier this month, taking out third place in the Lites Production class at the Tasmanian Road Racing Championships at Baskerville Raceway.
David, 15, also secured enough points to take out first place in the 150cc junior division. His dad, Matt, shared in the glory at Baskerville. He earned enough points to secure his second consecutive title in the Pre-Modern Supersport category.
David, a Grade 9 student at Montrose Bay High School, has been racing competitively since he was about 11 and more recently has been racing against adults on lighter production bikes. He rides a KTM 390. “So now’s he out there competing against men and women,” said Matt, who reckoned his son was clocking times that were approaching his own.
Matt, 55, who has been competing for decades, rides a 2001 Yamaha R6. A contractor at the Nyrstar zinc works, the racing dad said: “I work to race.” He observed that participation in motorbike racing had appeared to have fallen since COVID-19 but there were many opportunities for novices to join the sport.
He said riding was not too costly, particularly for younger riders because they tend to wear out tyres slower than adults on bigger bikes. Matt, who is recovering from a non-racing injury, is hoping to be back in action for the Motorworks/Michelin 2 Hour race at Baskerville in early December. The event draws riders from around the country. David, meanwhile, will continue competing against the adults in the Lite Production class.
RICK SANTOS
Main photo: David and Matt Coward with the trophy haul from the Tasmanian Road Racing Championships.
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