By Trevor Jackson
CHANGE is on the horizon for Furner motorcycle racer Dallas Skeer.
Skeer has competed in the Australian Superbike Championships as part of the Australian Supersport category on his trusty Suzuki 600cc machine but a new Yamaha R6 now sits pride of place in his shed ready for next year’s season.
It came on the back of a tough weekend at The Bend Motorsport Park, where bike issues had Skeer behind the eightball from the outset.
A coolant leak forced Skeer into the pits during practice on Friday, which the team attempted to fix by a change of radiator from the spare bike.
However, once back on track the issue persisted, with a blown head gasket the culprit.
It was a disappointing start to the final round of the championship.
“We didn’t get much track time on Friday,” Skeer said.
“I had some lap times in my head I knew I had to get to be competitive, so we were a fair bit off the pace on Saturday for qualifying.
“We ended up qualifying in 11th which was the worst qualifying since my first season in the class.
“We knew then we had a bit of work to do.”
Despite the setbacks, Skeer was on the pace, with an eight place in the opening race, before backing up for sixth in the final race.
It meant a fifth place overall for the season, with just three rounds run, which Skeer was pleased with, all things considered.
However, even on track bike issues continued, which helped the final decision to change manufacturers.
“We struggled with position but showed we had some pace,” Skeer said.
“I couldn’t quite get the bike to go where I wanted to on track – we had a few handling issues so we just rode to what we could to finish the year off.
“It would have been good to be in the top five where we usually are but we are happy we stayed on the bike and we didn’t do anything we didn’t need to.”
Doing what he needed to do was enough to set some fast laps, with his best a 1.56:778, his fastest lap around The Bend.
“It is a hard lap to get a quick lap around The Bend because there are so many corners and you have to get them all right,” Skeer said.
“If we had a good setup I know I could have gone quicker but that is two seconds quicker than last time I was there two years ago.
“That would have put me on the podium last time I was there.”
As for the change of manufacturer, Skeer said it was simply required to remain competitive and push for a championship.
He said the Suzuki was older technology, while the Yamahas had recently been upgraded and were the fastest in the competition.
“We were looking to maybe do some state title rounds, do a few wild card ASBK rounds or buy Yamahas,” Skeer said.
“But if you wanted to buy a Yamaha 600 it would have to be a second hand one because they aren’t bringing any new ones in until February.”
That all changed on Sunday afternoon when an offer was made on a championship-winning team bike.
It was the second bike in the team that won the championship and has completed just two laps which should provide everything Skeer needs to have a serious tilt at the championship next year.
“This has everything you want on it … there is nothing we need to do at all,” he said.
“Just sitting on it I fell more comfortable so this should give me the ability to win.”
Having ridden the same model bike previously, Skeer knows what to expect.
Now it is a matter of seat time on the new machine and the hope Covid-19 will not affect the season as much as it did this year.
“I have ridden one before around Mac Park and the engine is definitely quicker than what we have,” Skeer said.
“The last couple of years the development of the Yamahas have really come forward.
“We have shown I can be top four fighting for podiums, so this will get me there.
“We will do as many laps we can at Mac Park but others as well like Winton, Tailem Bend and other tracks we will be racing at.
“We will do as many laps as we can, get familiar with the bike and see how we go.”
Time is on Skeer’s side, with the opening round of next season set down for late February, 2022.
Rather than just sit back and wait, Skeer is keen to prepare and look to capitalise on a competitive piece of machinery.
“I have high expectations for next year,” he said.
“I know the bike is capable and I have proved I can be competitive.
“I am looking forward to the first round at Phillip Island next year.”
