Dunlop Supersport 300 Championship

The Dunlop Supersport 300cc class is open to all brands of single or twin cylinder, four-stroke machines with a capacity limit of 500cc. At present, the class pits the Kawasaki 400cc Ninja against the Yamaha R3 as in recent seasons the KTM single cylinder 390cc bike has fallen out of favour.

For a level playing field, different performance parameters have been incorporated for parity given the Kawasaki is 400cc and the Yamaha is 320cc – both twin cylinder units.

Riders must be 13 or over with no older age limit for participation, so it is a great class for older riders that may not have the budget or experience to enter the larger capacity classes and want to enjoy their racing abord pretty even machinery.

The Supersport 300 and R3 Cup classes are terrific preparatory classes for a number of career moves. This year is a classic example as nine out of the top 11 riders from last year’s SSP300 class have moved onwards and upwards. Seven youngsters head to prestigious championships such as the CEV, Red Bull Rookies, the Asia Talent Cup, European Talent Cup and MotoAmerica, while locally, Ben Baker (who, last year was the first rider to claim both titles) and Tom Drane have moved to the ASBK 600cc Supersport class.

When you add in those that have graduated from the Oceania Junior Cup to those that remain in the class, the battle for honours is open slather.

Cameron Dunker and Glenn Nelson are the two (of the top 11) that remain. Dunker finished third in the R3 Cup and fourth in the SS300, while Glenn was runner-up in the R3 Cup and eighth in the SSP300, so both will be full of confidence to start the year.

Nelson broke through for his first wins in both classes at the final round last year, while Dunker is knocking of the door of greeting the chequered flag - there’s a very good chance that will come to fruition in the first round.

Sure to be a major threat, Glenn’s father Kevin has been in his corner since the very beginning of dirt track and his progress through the GP Juniors. Dunker is in a similar position but due to their long association, Jamie Stauffer will offer guidance.

OJC Champion, Cameron Swain, is making the move and at the recent test he was the fastest in the SSP300 class but he has a sweet dilemma. It will be interesting to see how he goes, as Cameron is also a member of the Asia Talent Cup squad for 2022 and will miss a few rounds with date clashes.

At just 13 he has a very promising career in front of him.

As for others in contention, just keep checking the entry lists at each round as there will be many we haven’t mentioned that will come to the fore during 2022 but one thing will remain the same; it will be another exciting freight train of action as the leading bunch will swap places and paint at every corner.

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# FIRST SURNAME STATE MAKE MODEL CAPACITY ENTRANT

3 Cameron DUNKER NSW Yamaha YZF-R3 300 GTR Motostars RS+C, KYT Helmets, Jamie Stauffer, Doctor Mak, Ricondi, MD Steel

12 Henry SNELL QLD Yamaha YZF-R3 300

16 James JACOBS NSW Kawasaki Ninja 400 400

20 Jonathan NAHLOUS NSW Kawasaki Ninja 400 400

23 Jordan SIMPSON SA Yamaha YZF-R3 300

25 Brodie GAWITH VIC Yamaha YZF-R3 300

26 Cameron SWAIN

32 Jai RUSSO

39 Glenn NELSON

45 Jamie PORT QLD Yamaha YZF-R3 300 ProGP Racing Diesel Power Systems, Y-drive, Impella, Forcite, GB Racing, Bonamici Racing, Signpro, Pro-bolt, Rapidbike, JDS Moto, Cabulture, Yamaha

NSW Yamaha YZF-R3 300

QLD Yamaha YZF-R3 300

VIC Yamaha YZF-R3 300

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Yamaha, AGV, Pirelli, Motul, Ricondi

46 Marianos NIKOLIS NSW Yamaha YZF-R3 300 Ali Baba Wraps, Alpha Mampra Arkitex

51 Samuel PEZZETTA SA Yamaha YZF-R3 300 Unitech Racing Remo Contractors, SA Profiling, Aus Crush & Recycle, YRD, Yamaha

57 Cooper ROWNTREE SA Yamaha YZF-R3 300 Anytime Fitness, Baseline Fabrication

66 Mitchell SIMPSON SA Yamaha YZF-R3 300 YRD, Simpson Crash, Simpson Signs, Race Bike Services

91 Taiyo AKSU QLD Yamaha YZF-R3 300 XXX Rated Suspension, MMM M Cycles, Ricondi, OPRacing

181 Liam WATERS QLD Yamaha YZF-R3 300 Moto-Shed, XXX Rated Suspension

279 Hayden NELSON NSW Yamaha YZF-R3 300 Taree Motorcycles, Gow Moto, Knight Designs