The 2017 Motul Supersport champion Ted Collins has capped off a dream year by being awarded the coveted RK Chains Samurai Trophy as the most improved and most outstanding young talent contesting the ASBK series.
A team of key industry members voted throughout the year, with the 17-year-old student from Warrnambool beating a class field of up-and-coming Aussie talent to become the 30th name added to the award. Collins was presented with the Link International- supported trophy by AMCN editor Chris Dobie at the ASBK Night of Champions dinner, held following the final round
of the series at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit.
“Collins was the only rider to contest the full Supersport season on a Suzuki GSX-R600. That’s a big effort by the
Next-Gen Motorsport Team,” Dobie said. “He and his team have worked tirelessly from the moment the 2016 season finished, with the stated goal of winning this year’s crown, and their hard work paid off.”
Consistent early-season top-three performances were capped by a clean sweep at the Winton round, and an impressive shared round victory with Tom Toparis (Kawasaki ZX-6R) at Hidden Valley. Collins then wrapped up the Supersport title at
Sydney Motorsport Park with one round left to run.
Marketing Manager for Link International, Mark Kelly, congratulated Collins and all the riders who scored points towards the RK Chains Samurai Trophy over the year.
“Ted has had a standout year in the Motul Supersport Class and is a very deserved recipient of this award.”
Collins himself was rapt: “I didn’t expect it all, I’m really honoured,” he said. “When you look at the names who have won this award over the past 30 years, I’m stoked to have my name alongside them. I’m over the moon to have taken out this award, a huge thanks to RK Chains and AMCN”.
