Paul Pires didn’t expect to become 2015/2016 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Competition Bike Champion, but there he is, humble in success.
Competition Bike may not have had as many rounds as other Sportsman classes this season, but he was there when it mattered and accumulated enough points to become the champ following semi final appearances at the East Coast Nationals in Sydney and the Australian Nationals at Calder Park.
“I entered the Sydney first round as I love to travel and race and I didn’t care if I didn’t win, I only wanted to compete,” said Pires.
“I qualified well posting an under index qualifier. Peter Everett and Mathew Walker were fast, Pete taking the track record and winning the meet. I made two rounds and scored 60 points.
“The southern smaller tracks couldn’t get fields and when Calder was promoted I thought I haven’t raced in Melbourne since the 90s. I’m going to Melbourne.
“When entries closed we had six for a field. Rob Cassar and Brett Geddina were flying. I qualified third again and made two rounds of racing. I scored 60 points and was happy with my effort even through the bike’s issues.”
Unfortunately Pires could not be at the ANDRA Championship Grand Final to finish the season but he soon learned he would stay atop the points standings for good.
“I was encouraged to be at the Grand Final but my finances wouldn’t let me. Group Two Comp Bikes are a special kind of animal. Comp Bike racers have built bikes that are fast. Real fast. Fast bikes cost lots to keep fast and not everyone can be running on the same day of the event and can often bring issues making a field.
“As the days and weeks passed, social media messages started to arrive saying I’d won. It’s a humbling thing to grasp that after only two rounds, neither that I had won I was leading the points Series.
“My B/SB, that is still reasonably stock compared to other Comp Bikes in the country, has won it for me. I started out just wanting to compete in Comp. Little did I ever think I’d win.”
“I am truly honoured to have competed and won on points. I’d like to thank builder Dave Smith for believing in me, and Glenn Prowse for the work and tune on the bike. Joe Marshall for his help with the clutch tune and my mates that crewed for me. I’m truly thankful for the chance to compete. Let alone win.”
