2024 started off with the plan for Race Center's Tim Large & Luke Sanders to take on selected rounds of the Australian Superbike championship ASBK in the Superbike and Supersport classes. Unfortunately after just 2 rounds these plans didn't materialize in the way that we had hoped. Luke suffered a major and complicated foot injury, while work commitments and budget constraints have meant we haven't been able to continue the SBK charge with Timmo. Here is and update and where things sit.
LUKE SANDERS #88 - ASBK SUPERSPORT
Team Race Center rider Luke Sanders has been a core part of our race program for the last few years. The plan this year was for Luke to contest the ASBK Supersport championship. Those plans took a hit in round 2 at the Sydney Motorcopost Park where Luke sustained a complex and major break to his right foot after a very nasty high side accident.
Luke was rushed to hospital where his foot was operated on to repair the major damage. Despite his best efforts and positive attitude, the healing process over the last few months has not gone to plan either meaning Luke we require further surgery and will remain on the sidelines for a while longer.
We sat down with Luke last weekend at the final round of the VRRC to see how his racing career is looking for 2025.
We hear you are you having more surgery in Jan? Why hasn't your foot healed properly?
I was told from the beginning that due to the extent of the break, a follow up surgery may be required if the bone didn't heal. Unfortunately, that's the situation I'm in. There is a gap in the metatarsal that will have to be filled with a bone graft and then a new plate will be fitted.
How long do you expect to be off the bike for after the surgery? Will this be a threat to your racing?
I'm not sure at the moment how long the recovery will take this time around. I was told that my recovery will have to completely restart, however, the new plate won't span a joint in my foot so I believe it will be a more straightforward process. The fixing of that joint is what has stopped me getting back to training and riding thus far.
I'm currently as motivated to get back to it as I've ever been so the plan to pick up where I left off stands.
What's your training plan to get your bike fitness to where you want it?
I'm starting to miss running and rock climbing as much as anything else so just to get back to being active after work and enjoying the process is my nearest goal. The rest will take care of itself.
How do you juggle work commitments and missing more work if you are injured.
I'm quite fortunate to have the level of job security that I enjoy in my current role. It was a big part of the decision to move to that role while I was recovering from a shoulder injury last year.
This sport places a lot of a demand on the rest of your life and many lifestyle decisions get made with racing in mind.
How does work impact your racing aspirations?
I've always viewed my work just as a means to an end. While some priorities have changed, I’m still as ambitious as I've ever been. It gets harder when you have greater responsibilities and bills to deal with but racing and my role with Race Center is still at the forefront of my decision making.
What kind of pressure does this put on you from your boss/workplace?
A few sarcastic comments here and there are expected when you're needing a fair bit of time off but overall I think my employer appreciates that I've done everything I can to minimise that and as long as you put in the effort when you are on the clock, the relationship can still be good.
You recently rode a SBK for coaching purposes at Phillip Island. How was that? What was it like riding an R1 Superbike compared to your Supersport R6, was it intimidating and did this reignite the racing bug?
I really enjoyed the R1, I've wanted to try a modern superbike for a long time. It was surprising how forgiving the throttle mapping was and how quickly I felt comfortable getting a bit sideways and pushing my entry speeds. A proper crack on a superbike is definitely something I'll eye off in the future.
Anything else you want to share??
While it sucks being off the bike. I've really enjoyed the opportunity to take on a different role at Race Center, coaching Alex Brisbane and Colin Bone in their Victorian championship campaigns. Using my experience to help others get more out of the sport has really added a new dimension for me and it's something I'd like to continue with going forward.
Thanks for the update Luke and all of us here at race Center are wishing you a speedy recovery and cannot wait to see you back on the bike soon.
TIM LARGE #74 - ASBK SUPERBIKE
After wrapping up the 2022 Victorian Supersport championship, followed by the 2023 Victorian Superbike championship, Timmo and Race Center decided to take on the monumentous task of tackling the country's premier road racing category, the Australian Superbike Championship.
Round 1 of the championship at Phillip Island saw some encouraging signs albeit we are unable to piece it all together. However round 2 at Sydney Motorsport was a real challenge and to be frank, our pace simply sucked.
With the additional budget required to contest more rounds not forthcoming and the impact trying to extend ourselves would have on the Race Center workshop, business and Timmo's own business DL Carpentry, the decision had to be made to sit out the reminder of 2024.
So Timmo, what's it like being on the side lines?
It honestly sucks, I wish I could give you a better answer but it just sucks.
How hard was it to make the decision to sit out the remainder of 2024?
It was difficult. I love racing, I love the challenge of trying to get faster and I also love working with the team and want to do a great job not just for me but the team as well, so it was a tough decision for sure. That's said, in some ways it was an easy decision because it felt like the right and only thing to do.
We don't have the budget to run how we need to and why I love racing so much, I can't comprises all the other aspects of my life to the point where it put all of that under a lot of pressure. My family, relationship and business are really important to me so I need to juggle all of that too. Unfortunately racing had to give way a little. It's very hard to get the funding you need in this country, it would be awesome if our sport had a better following in backing here in Australia.
What was it like racing against the best in the country?
Haha, it was ridiculous! To be fair, I wasn't actually racing them haha! But it was great to be on the track with them, especially at Phillip Island. You could see where they were making the lap time, was great to see first hand.
Did the lack of pace at SMSP contribute to the decision to sit out 2024?
For sure. That was a demoralizing to be that far off the pace up there, even if it was my first time there. But to be honest, if we had the budget we needed and it wasn't going to put Race Center and all the other aspects of my life under such pressure than I wouldn't let that bother me at all and I'll be up for the challenge. It was a difficult weekend and I know its would very difficult task but I love working hard. So if we had the budget and life balance I'd be waiting at the gates at 4am!
So you did a little bit of testing over winter at Broadford and did your first 56s, what was that like?
That was fun! I really enjoyed testing and not having the pressure of a race weekend where trying things with setup is harder because it's a race. And yeah, finally doing at 56 was great, I have wanted that for ages.
So what's the plans for 2025?
We'll see, hopefully I can do some racing. I definitely want to ride.