Usually, when we talk about wild cards in Moto3 or Moto2 at Motegi, we expect to find young Japanese riders participating in their national championship in the same category and wanting to showcase themselves in front of the elite of world competition...
This is still the case this year in Moto2, as you can see it here.
But, surprise, we are far from being in the same situation in Moto3! Indeed, to date, we are not aware of any Japanese wild card for the next Grand Prix.
On the contrary, the only rider currently registered in small displacement is Australian and has never ridden a Moto3!
Tom Toparis, aged 17, first started with regional motocross before joining the Cube Racing Team last year to test the asphalt on a Kawasaki Ninja 300.
This year, he is entered under the same colors in Supersport in the Australian Superbike championship, where he is in third position. His progression was such that he quickly became the protégé of Troy Bayliss, and his entry into the Japanese Grand Prix only makes sense to prepare for another wild card this year, obviously in Australia at home.
Tom Toparis : « Of course, racing in Moto3 will be different from anything I've ever done before. We have prepared a bike for me to practice on and we hope to do several sessions before the 2017 Michelin Moto Grand Prix. The calendar includes Motegi, the final round of ASBK and the Australian Grand Prix, all very close together .
The competition at the top will probably be irrelevant, but I hope to gain valuable experience and knowledge from these wild cards.
This is the opportunity of a lifetime! Only two years ago I visited Phillip Island for a round of the ASBK and one of my mates told me I should go racing. Now I'm going to make a wildcard in Moto3 in the World Championship! I'm really looking forward to the challenge and am very excited to represent Australia on the world stage! »
Certainly, when we say that Australians are not afraid of anything…
