The Jason Akermanis Race Workshop are getting set to compete in the 2011 Australian 8 Hour Endurance Race at Phillip Island in December. However this team is not preparing in the conventional way.
Thanks to support from Honda Motorcycles and a host of other sponsors, a group of students from Caulfield Park Community School have been involved from start to finish in an endeavour to expose them to 'real world' conditions as they manage the trials and tribulations in the world of racing and mechanics.
Work began several months ago with the students designing the fairings for the Honda CBR600RR as well as learning about the mechanics of the race bike and the necessary developments made to ensure it will be fast enough for the Phillip Island race.
Caulfield Park Community School is an alternative school providing a supportive environment for students who have struggled with the conventional school mould. The school aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills that will be enable them to change their behaviour and be successful in their futures. The students participating in this exciting initiative are relishing the chance to see behind the scenes of a race team.
Principal, Simon Clarke is enthusiastic about the project; 'This project is significant on two levels - firstly the students are being exposed to role models who have achieved through their own efforts and perseverance and secondly they are a part of something bigger than themselves and are able to see how small contributions go together to achieve something the whole group can own and be proud of'.
AFL football legend, Jason Akermanis along with four other team members will compete in the Superstock class at the 8 Hour Endurance Race and selected Caulfield students will even be helping out with tyre changes and mechanics as part of the pit crew.
To date the students have dismantled the Honda CBR600RR and have been applying the race and compliance requirements. One set of fairings have been painted and the bike is being tested.
The lucky students from the Caulfield Park Community School will be spending a day at the MotoGP when it rolls into Australia next month!
