Southlander heads to Australia with Moto GP dreams
Cormac Buchanan is a Southland lad with a big dream of racing MotoGP.
The determined 12-year-old will take his first significant step towards achieving it when he races in Australia this weekend.
Buchanan is the only New Zealand rider selected to compete in the inaugural bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup, a new road racing initiative for junior competitors which will run in conjunction with the elite Australian Superbike Championship.
After a successful junior career racing speedway, Buchanan switched his focus to road racing recently and will be eligible to officially compete in New Zealand later this year when he turns 13.
“I’m not old enough to race in New Zealand yet so we had to look at other options,’ he said.
“Competing in the Oceania Junior Cup is a great opportunity to move forward in the sport. I just want to experience the whole environment, learn some good habits and develop my riding skills.”
The Oceania Junior Cup features 26 talented young road racers, providing a factory-styled campaign with bikes, technicians and specialist coaching.
Buchanan, who is in Year 8 at James Hargest College, has set some ambitious goals.
“My goal is to get on the podium. The Aussie riders are quick and have more race experience but I’m really proud to represent New Zealand and that motivates me even more to do my best,” he said.
“I’m a kiwi learning to fly.”
The programme has been recognised as an official Road to MotoGP Pathway endorsed by Dorna who have committed to one rider from the series earning a spot at the coveted Red Bull Rookies Cup selection event in Europe and five riders the Asia Talent Cup in Malaysia later this year.
Buchanan turned heads at the official Test weekend staged at the iconic Phillip Island MotoGP circuit last month. Despite being only his fourth time on a Yamaha R15 machine, he recorded the fourth fastest time overall with 2min 14.957sec – just a smidge off the quickest pace of 2min 14.735sec.
“Phillip Island is my favourite track. It’s a fast track and it was so cool to race on an actual Moto GP circuit where guys like Valentino Rossi and Marq Marquez ride,” Buchanan said.
“I watched them there in 2016. The Moto GP was so professional and the bikes were so fast – I really want to be part of that one day.”
The Oceania Junior Cup will feature six rounds at various circuits in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria during 2019. Round one kicks off at Wakefield Park in Goulburn on Friday.
“Wakefield looks like a really technical track but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Buchanan, who has received strong support from the Southland Motorcycle Club and Road Safety Southland, was eager to see other young riders take up the sport.
“It would be awesome to have more juniors taking up road racing down here. Hopefully I will be able to show them how awesome it is and they’ll be keen to give it a go. We even have our own track Teretonga right here in our backyard,” he said.
“It’s just the thrill of it and the adrenalin rush you get racing on the track. I love it.”
