A corridor between Australia and New Zealand has been opened up.

A bit of forward thinking by leading Kiwi superbike racer Sloan Frost (pictured above) and support from five-time New Zealand Superbike Champion and current Australian No.3 Robbie Bugden will see Kiwi youngster Bailie Perriton become the first rider in the newly-formed “Fujitsu Scholarship 300” project, which will see him compete in the six rounds of the 2014 $35,000 FX300 championship in Australia.

The scholarship has been set up with the aim to make it possible for a younger rider to get valuable race experience outside of New Zealand at an affordable cost.

Frost competed in Australia last season and this year he returns for another season with the ESPC services /AARK racing team, along with being mentor to Perriton.

Frost explains: “I am extremely lucky to have some great sponsors behind me. Andrew Black and Geoff Kelly of ESPC have once again agreed to help out with another Australian campaign.

“But this year I also wanted to do a little something extra because we have a great team set-up in Australia with AARK racing and I began to see a pathway for New Zealand’s talented young racers to get some overseas racing experience. Europe is great for those who can afford it and people like Wil Sports Management already have those bases well covered, but I believe the competition in Australia is more than enough to elevate a rider to the next level.

“After much talking behind the scenes, a plan was hatched. We were intending to bring on a 300 and a 600 rider but decided it was a bridge too far for this year so we decided to concentrate on the 300. I floated a few ideas on facebook and Robbie Bugden was the first person to offer to help as he was thinking along similar wave lengths. Needless to say that encouragement and support from five-time New Zealand Superbike Champion was enough to really get the wheels spinning.”

Bugden commented: “As soon as I heard about the idea, I straight away wanted to be part of it. After a couple of email exchanges with Sloan I knew we were on the same page and have the same vision.

“That is to make it easier for NZ racers to get a start here in OZ and maybe vice versa. I think this is the start of something very exciting. To have Bailie come on board is great. He is a great young lad with a big future. I think he will really shine in the FX300 cup this year and I am stoked to be a part of it.”

Frost continues: “What we have come up with thanks to FUJITSU New Zealand, ESPC and a good bunch of enthusiasts from the Kiwibiker Forum is the Fujitsu Scholarship 300, we have purchased a bike and built it into a competitive race bike for the six round Australian FX300 Cup. With a $35,000au prize pool it is a very attractive proposition for a talented young racer.

Ashburton youngster Perriton is the 2014 Fujitsu Scholarship rider. I have great confidence that Bailie can win both the under 21 category as well as the outright championship. He will have his work cut out for him and I expect that the first round will be even more challenging with the unfamiliar surroundings.”

Perriton said: “I am looking forward to going over too Australia to race in the FX300 series. I am looking forward to riding with people that will be at a similar level to me and also to be able to ride a different bike and on different tracks.

“I would like to thank all of these amazing people that have put a lot of hard work and effort into getting me over to Australia to race in the FX300 series, Geoff Kelly and Andrew Black ESPC services Robbie Bugden, Race Supplies NZ Limited, Stocker Dairy Services, Hamilton Seeds LTD, Merv Orford, Mum and Dad and Sloan Frost, without all these fantastic people this wouldn’t be possible. I really appreciate all their help and support with what’s about to begin, and it’s a dream come true for me.”

Terry O’neill, the promoter of the FX Superbike and FX300 cup has provided free entry to all test days and race days plus garage hire and insurance costs, at a value of around $9000. There is also strong support from Shaun Pattenden, Maurice Frost, Terry Robinson, Kiwistars Racing and other sponsors who include OGK Kaboto Helmets, Five Gloves, Shell lubricants.

The Fujitsu Scholarship will be offered to another rider next year as well. It is not a fully funded ride. Riders are expected to contribute. This year the rider supplies tyres, fuel and flights to and from Australia.

FX300 2014 Series Dates:

R1 14-16 March Wakefield Park NSW

R2 16-18 May Mallala South Australia

R3 27-29 June Queensland Raceway

R4 1-3 August Winton Raceway Vic

R5 12-14 September Wakefield Park NSW

R6 21-23 November Sydney Motorsport Park NSW

© Words by Ian Dawson

© Photos by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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