By Motorcycling Australia
BARBAGALLO Raceway is Adam Senior’s home track and as well as having local knowledge of the circuit it will be an opportunity to sleep in his own bed.
Senior of Hillarys, who has competed in the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli for 10 years and has recently switched bikes, has his eyes firmly set on a top ten placing come the end of the year.
Round four of the championship is on this weekend at Barbagallo.
Senior said it was difficult to name a favourite part of the Barbagallo track.
There is a really important section of the track where you can easily lose time,’’ he said.
“Basically, turn four and five is a good, fast, fun part of the track and I find I always manage to have a little bit of extra time compared to a few people, and I can usually manage to pull off a pass in there, so that’s my favourite part.
“I enjoy the whole track though, there is a lot of undulation, and it is quite physically demanding, there is no rest at the circuit.
“A lot of other tracks you get to have a bit of a break, a little bit of a breather, but there is no time for a breather at Barbagallo, even the front straight is over a hill and your wheel standing.
“It’s ‘all go’ the whole time bit it’s a really exciting track.
Senior started racing when he was 17-years-old and first raced interstate in 2006.
For the past 10 years on and off he has raced along the east-coast doing the national series.
“I wasn’t able to compete in the full series every year until in 2012 where I started competing at every round of the ASBK,’’ he said.
“This year marks my third year on a superbike and I have now switched to racing the new 2016 Yamaha R1.
“I didn’t have the bike for the first round so I was riding my old Suzuki with my first ride on the Yamaha being at round two at Wakefield Park, which was a steep learning curve.
“New bike, new track – it’s been a lot to learn but we are slowly getting there.
Sitting 14th in the overall championship standings Senior has in the past couple of years finished in the top ten.
“Obviously we haven’t had the competition from the manufactures like we do this year but I am still aiming for a top ten finish. “However, I recognise that it’s a tough field, and to get anywhere in the top 15 is a good effort.
“ As for behind the scenes, until this year it’s been a family effort. “Dad works on the bikes, my mum supports us and my sister comes along and is the team manager, she tells us all what to do which is so helpful because I am too laid back.
This year he will also support from Perth team NCB Sport.
“They offer a lot more knowledge and for myself, I don’t have to work on the bike now so I can take the time off the track to concentrate on my riding and preparing myself to go out on track again.
“It’s early days yet, I have only ridden the bike two to three times and it’s a new team so we are all just getting used to each other, and working together.
“I am enjoying it and looking forward to the rest of the year.”
