My man GeeBee Images getting all arty farty today!
Source: Jonathan Rea On Facebook
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Surtees, a 350cc and 500cc Champion in 1958, 1959, 1960, then discussed how he started racing: “It was all by accident! We went to a speed trial in a park called Trent Park which was in the north of London. This speed trial was not a circuit but it was through a wooded road. My father had taken his Vincent, because by this time he had changed from a Norton, and he was riding a Vincent HRD 1000cc in sidecar.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Q: This question is short; I hope the response is longer. When is it time to replace riding boots? – David Fulmer, Punta Gorda, Florida
A: Boots, like brake pads and tires, are consumable components. Unlike those hard parts, however, there aren’t factory service limits to tell you when your kicks are kicked. According to Bill Berroth, president at MotoNation, the most common issue with old boots is worn-out soles. “Cheaper boots use wrap-around glued-on soles that can’t be replaced,” says Berroth, “but with quality boots like Sidis and Alpinestars you can get replacement sew-on soles, and either send the boots in to the manufacturer for service or just take them to your local cobbler.” Anthony’s Shoe Repair or MX Boot Repair and Resole (shoerepair.com or mxbootrepair.com) can probably help as well. Busted zippers are often an easy fix, too.
Next up, Berroth suggests keeping an eye out for material failure at stress points. “Whether the boots are made of leather or something synthetic, look for cracking at the shifter area, at the heel and other crease points,” says Berroth. Once cracks start to form, the material is compromised and the boots can’t be trusted to fend off bad weather, impacts or abrasion. Speaking of abrasion, any boot that’s been crashed should be given a thorough inspection. Look for torn stitching, chassis material that’s been worn thin and other signs of damage that might compromise the boot’s integrity.
Source: RiderMagazine.com
This weekend will see the Suzuka 8 Hours take place in Japan as the 2019 FIM Endurance World Championship grand finale, with seven Australians taking part between the 8 Hours and 4 Hours events.
The Suzuka 8 Hours has run since 1978, with many Aussie racers making their mark over the years, including Tony Hatton, Michael Cole, Kevin Magee, Mick Doohan, Wayne Gardner and Daryl Beattie.
The three time Australian Superbike Champion Josh Waters lines up with the MotoMap S.W.A.T team again for the fourth year in a row, with 2019 marking Waters’ ninth year racing at the Suzuka 8 Hours event.
The Mildura based rider will team up with former World 250cc/500cc/MotoGP racer, Nobuatsu Aoki for the sixth time, as well as former BSB rider Dan Linfoot, former. For 2019, Waters, Aoki and Linfoot are competing in the Superstock class.
Former World Supersport and Superbike racer Mark Aitchison takes to the grid with the Will-Raise RS-Itoh Kawasaki Racing Team, with the 35-year-old having been competing in the MFJ Superbike All Japan Road Race Championship for the satellite Kawasaki squad.
Aitchison tested with the Kawasaki team for the 8 Hours Suzuka Program and his lap times were good enough to get the nod for a start this weekend. Aitchison, who hails from the Gold Coast, and his team have had two tests at Suzuka, which saw most of the European and Japanese teams present, as well as one private test.
Aitchison’s teammates for the Suzuka 8 Hours will be Akira Yanagawa, and Ryosuke Iwato, who currently rides for Kawasaki Japan as part of their factory effort.
“The last official test was a great experience, as basically the whole EWC championship was on hand to the 8 Hours race weekend. Testing went well enough to this point, though in Japan the weather conditions are always challenging. So, it’s a matter of compromise between you and your teammates on setup. It’s Ryosuke first year as factory rider and I understand why they gave him the opportunity. He’s an extremely talented rider and his lap times at the recent test turned some heads from the top Kawasaki bosses. I think he’s got a great future ahead of him. I really love the fans energy and enthusiasm that they bring. On top of that, the event itself brings its own unique platform, which combined with spectator involvement provides such an exciting and enjoyable weekend.”
27-year-old Aaron Morris reunites with the Paris based R2CL team, in what was a last-minute call up by the team on Saturday. Morris, who is competing in the Australian Superbike Championship with the Maxima BMW team, competed with the R2CL outfit throughout the 2016 EWC championship. 2016 saw Morris and his team finishing fourth at their Le Mans debut, twelfth at Suzuka and ninth in the teams FIM EWC Championship standing.
Morris will certainly be up against it this weekend, with no testing and riding for the first time with his teammates, Yoshihiro Konno and Josh Elliott, while coming to terms with the Suzuki GSX-R1000R on a track which he’s admitted to be his favourite.
“I’d love to improve on my best placed finish of twelfth we scored in 2016. We didn’t have a base set up, so we starting again and with three riders it’s hard to have a direction which everyone is happy with.”
2019 marks the first time in Paul Byrne’s career that he will race at Suzuka, joining TEAM SUGAI Racing Japan for the 4 Hours event. Kazu Kuroda from K1 Racing contacted the Irishman and now Australian citizen, a few weeks ago to see if he interested in racing on the team’s Honda CBR600RR. Byrne, 34, previously worked with Kuroda back in 2016, when he was his mechanic racing the International Island Classic and the International Festival of Speed on the DMR Harris XR69.
Byrne has had to learn the 18-corner circuit, as well as get his head around riding the Aprilia RSV4 machine, a bike he hadn’t ridden before, taking part in the official three-day test.
“I mentioned to Kazu that I had an interest in doing some endurance racing in Japan and finally its all come together for the first time, which I’m really grateful for. The first day was about just learning and trying to get as many laps done as possible plus. I really enjoyed the challenge. The second day I was a lot more relaxed and I started to push a bit harder and my lap times came down. But the main objective of the test was for me to help my teammate, Sugai Yoshiyuki with feedback. On top of that I just wanted to get some laps on track to learn it ahead of this weekend.”
Other Aussies to keep an eye out for over the weekend are full-season FIM Endurance World Championship competitors Broc Parkes (YART – Yamaha) and reigning Champ, Josh Hook (F.C.C. TSR Honda France). Also contesting is current Australian Superbike Champion Troy Herfoss (KYB Moriwaki Racing Team).
Hook and the F.C.C. TSR Honda France team are currently sitting third in the Championship; with a strong fourth-fastest finish at the Official Test and topping the times at yesterday’s practice as the quickest of the full-season FIM EWC Team.
YART’s lucky number seems to be five. Currently sitting fifth in the standings and posting the fifth-fastest time at yesterday’s practice, Parkes and his teammates all were quick and consistent.
Pos | Team / Equipe | Total |
1 | Team Src Kawasaki France | 132 |
2 | Suzuki Endurance Racing Team | 127 |
3 | F.C.C. Tsr Honda France | 109 |
4 | Wepol Racing | 101 |
5 | Yart – Yamaha | 88 |
6 | Honda Endurance Racing | 79 |
7 | Bolliger Team Switzerland | 73 |
8 | Vrd Igol Pierret Experiences | 53 |
9 | Moto Ain | 45 |
10 | Gert56 By Gs Yuasa | 45 |
11 | Bmrt 3d Maccio Racing | 39 |
12 | Fany Gastro Bmw Motorrad- By Mercury Racing | 38 |
13 | Webike Tati Team Trickstar | 36 |
14 | Team 33 Coyote Louit Moto | 32 |
15 | Junior Team Lms Suzuki | 30 |
16 | Wójcik Racing Team 2 | 28 |
17 | No Limits Motor Team | 28 |
18 | 3art- Moto Team 95 | 27 |
19 | National Motos | 25 |
20 | Motors Events | 24 |
21 | Motobox Kremer Racing #65 | 24 |
22 | Wójcik Racing Team | 23 |
23 | Team Erc-Bmw Motorrad Endurance | 14 |
24 | Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers | 12 |
25 | Team Lrp Poland | 12 |
26 | Maco Racing Team | 12 |
27 | Jma Motos Action Bike | 8 |
28 | Og Motorsport By Sarazin | 7 |
29 | Zuff Racing Team | 6 |
30 | Am Moto Racing Competition | 5 |
31 | Mototech Ewc Team | 4 |
32 | Pitlane Endurance | 3 |
33 | Gsm Racing | 2 |
34 | Slider Endurance | 1 |
35 | Falcon Racing Rennes Motos | 1 |
36 | Set Racing | 1 |
Source: MCNews.com.au
Moree, NSW will host the penultimate round of the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals this weekend, as the action heats up for Round 8, before the series heads to the final double round in Coolum, Queensland for Rounds 9 & 10.
As it stands Luke Clout leads the MX1 class by a small margin from Hayden Mellross and Todd Waters, with just 12-points separating the trio. In the MX2 class Wilson Todd leads Kyle Webster and Jay Wilson, with 10-points between each rider, ensuring the title fight will go down to the line. In MXD Regan Duffy holds a strong lead, but with three rounds to go anything could happen, with Maximus Purvis within striking distance and Rhys Budd a more distant third.
The MX Nationals are expected to tremendously boost the local economy in the Moree region, injecting over $250,000 as race team personnel, riders and thousands of fans call into Moree and the surrounds for a weekend of racing action.
“It’s a great feeling to be heading back to Moree and this time we are bringing the tightest points chase in MX Nationals history with us. Riders and teams will be doing everything they can to secure an advantage in the chase to the championship on this last weekend of racing before the series final. For current and new fans of the sport, this is a race event not to be missed!”
The Thor MX1 Championship is wide open after Todd Waters had an off weekend of racing at the previous round at Gympie, relinquishing the series red plate to new championship leader Luke Clout.
Hayden Mellross also took advantage of Waters’ off weekend to catapult into second in the series points. With all three only separated by 12-points in total, the series is coming down to the wire as Moree will prove momentum for the rider able to leave with the red plate heading into the Coolum double-round final.
Outside the top three, Kirk Gibbs had a strong performance at Maitland and sits fourth overall, with a 12-point lead over Jayden Rykers, while Brett Metcalfe, Justin Rodbell, Jesse Dobson, Richie Evans and Laweson Bopping complete the top 10 in the MX1 standings.
Finishing fourth at the previous round will have certainly motivated Waters to reclaim the red plate, with the rider explaining he’s more at home on the bike than ever and will be focusing on bringing home the wins.
“I’ve had another great couple of weeks on the DPH Husqvarna FC450 since Maitland. It’s incredible how at-home I feel on the bike and I just really love going riding at the moment. I’m comfortable with my position in the championship, and I’m going to keep focusing on myself, improving the little things to make sure I give myself the best chance to win every time the gate drops. My goal for this weekend is the same – win races.”
Having become Queensland State MX1 Motocross Champion last weekend, Jesse Dobson also has his sights set on Moree, aiming to ensure that all the hard work through the year will continue to pay dividends as the season draws to a close.
“My year has been up and down for sure, with some uncertainty at the beginning of the season before we pulled together a small crew, with some great support. Now, four months later I sit eighth in the championship, with four superpole appearances from a possible six and a Queensland state title. I feel really confident that I can bring home some good race results and finish out the championship strong. I’ve put everything on the line this season, I’m working hard for myself and my sponsors, and I’m showing everyone that I’m an MX1 championship contender. The class is full of fast racers, but I belong at the front and I’m determined to show that again at Moree this weekend.”
Pos | Name | Total |
1 | Luke Clout | 397 |
2 | Hayden Mellross | 388 |
3 | Todd Waters | 385 |
4 | Kirk Gibbs | 312 |
5 | Jayden Rykers | 300 |
6 | Brett Metcalfe | 293 |
7 | Justin Rodbell | 287 |
8 | Jesse Dobson | 258 |
9 | Richie Evans | 258 |
10 | Lawson Bopping | 215 |
11 | Zak Small | 206 |
12 | Joel Wightman | 201 |
13 | Joben Baldwin | 193 |
14 | Erki Kahro | 190 |
15 | Cody Dyce | 183 |
In Pirelli MX2 Wilson Todd continues to lead the championship however he now has Kyle Webster hot on his heels after a big win at Gympie, cutting the points lead in half to just ten points. Jay Wilson is still in the championship fight in third, but it is coming down to a two horse race with Webster and Todd going head to head at Moree for that all important advantage heading into Coolum.
“I wasn’t happy after Maitland, even though I still have the red plate, the lead is back down to 10 points, so I’m focused on strong starts, and setting a fast pace in Moree. I’m comfortable leading, and even though I’m looking at the championship more than the round, I want to win races and rounds. We’ve got the sprint format this weekend so there’s three gate drops and I’m ready to put the FC250 on top.”
With Nathan Crawford winning his first moto of the 2019 season at Maitland, you can bet he will be aiming for more podiums, and currently sits fourth in the standings, with a 38-point gap to third placed Jay Wilson.
Aaron Tanti meanwhile completes the top five, with Dylan Wills, Bailey Malkiewicz, Ricky Latimer, Cooper Pozniak and Morgan Fogarty representing the top 10.
“Every time I show some speed, a small mistake puts me back in the pack, so this weekend is all about concentrating on those small mistakes and putting the bike in good situations so I can put the speed I have to my advantage. There’s a bit of a charge in the second half of the season from a few riders, but I’m confident that I’ll be able to keep moving forward in the championship.”
Pos | Name | Total |
1 | Wilson Todd | 397 |
2 | Kyle Webster | 387 |
3 | Jay Wilson | 377 |
4 | Nathan Crawford | 339 |
5 | Aaron Tanti | 328 |
6 | Dylan Wills | 304 |
7 | Bailey Malkiewicz | 280 |
8 | Ricky Latimer | 252 |
9 | Cooper Pozniak | 249 |
10 | Morgan Fogarty | 243 |
11 | Isaac Ferguson | 234 |
12 | Joel Evans | 220 |
13 | Riley Dukes | 202 |
14 | Jye Dickson | 188 |
15 | Joel Green | 188 |
Motul MXD will showcase the up and coming young talent of the U19’s age group, with the usual speed and intensity on the track, with Regan Duffy holding the standings lead from Maximus Purvis and Rhys Budd.
Regan Duffy dominated in Maitland, with Mason Semmens runner up, while Purvis completed the top three.
Pos | Name | Total |
1 | Regan Duffy | 426 |
2 | Maximus Purvis | 397 |
3 | Rhys Budd | 349 |
4 | Noah Ferguson | 311 |
5 | Mason Rowe | 310 |
6 | Brodie Ellis | 299 |
7 | Jack Kukas | 280 |
8 | Jai Walker | 277 |
9 | Liam Walsh | 265 |
10 | Jayce Cosford | 252 |
11 | Mason Semmens | 249 |
12 | Mackenzie O”Bree | 242 |
13 | Tye Jones | 226 |
14 | Deakin Hellier | 168 |
15 | Navrin Grothues | 167 |
The action packed day kicks off at 10am following practice and qualifying with the first MX2 race at 10:25am, tickets are also available at the venue, 7km North of Moree.
Source: MCNews.com.au
MV Agusta has joined the “race to the bottom” not long after Harley-Davidson signed a deal to make low-capacity bikes in China and Ducati signed away its naming rights to Chinese scooters.
In the latest race to the bottom, premium Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta has signed a long-term deal (pictured above) with Chinese industrial giant Loncin Motor.
Together, they will build a four-model “all-new family of MV Agusta products in the 350-500cc displacement”.
It follows a somewhat dubious financial rescue deal last year with a Russian company that has links to the Russian mafia.
For years, MV have said they would never sell out and were proud to be the last true Italian brand.
You have to ask what is happening to the world of premium-brand motorcycles.
Is a sellout not beneath any of them?
Triumph has been making their bikes in Thailand for several years and BMW already makes G 310 models in India and scooters in China by the same company, Loncin.
So what is next?
The official MV/Loncin press release says the bikes will be “completely designed by MV Agusta to occupy the premium segment of this high-growth market”.
Sorry, but this latest deal just smacks of desperation and a race to the bottom.
The official press release says the new Chinese deal will “enable MV Agusta to enlarge its current product portfolio with the objective of increasing our riders globally, expanding access into Asia through a partnership with Loncin Motor Co., Ltd”.
There is no word on whether it will improve the supply chain of spare parts to current owners waiting while their bike sits idle in their garage.
They say the new “smaller and more accessible motorcycles” will be available for sale in MV Agusta dealerships by the end of 2021.
“MV Agusta and Loncin announce that their partnership will not be limited to the development of the new family of products in the 350-500cc range,” the release says.
“It also includes MV Agusta assisting Loncin into entering the premium segment market with their premium range of 800cc.”
MV promises to develop an “entirely new family of products for VOGE, Loncin’s premium high-end brand”.
By “high-end”, they mean Chinese high end , which is not what the rest of the world considers high end.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
While riders have been safely using bus lanes in NSW, the ACT and several major cities around the world for several years, Victoria is still in a protracted trial phase and other states lag even further behind.
In February, the Victorian Government announced that riders could use more bus lanes in Melbourne for the next five years, then stalled … until now.
The new trial sites from 24 July are:
The eastbound bus lane on Victoria Parade will be included in the trial and announced soon.
In June, Victoria permanently allowed riders to use made the Hoddle Street bus lane (southbound) between Eastern Freeway and Victoria Parade.
Cyclists have been allowed to use bus lanes for years in several states without a trial and about 20 years ago motorcyclists were allowed to use NSW and ACT bus lanes.
They are also allowed to use them in cities such as London and Tel Aviv.
Yet, for some arcane reason, Australia lags behind.
It doesn’t make a lot of sense that cyclists are allowed to use bus lanes when they are much slower than buses, less visible and much more vulnerable than motorcyclists.
Back in February Victorian Motorcycle Council media spokesman John Eacott said they battled three years to get the trial extended.
“I fronted one of the senior VicRoads guys at the Minister’s Motorcycle Expert Advisory Panel after he said they were unsafe,” John said.
“I tackled him about using statistics from outside the bus lane times and he was sent away to do further research.
“At least we’ve now got this.”
However, John was concerned that the trial was being funded by the Motorcycle Safety Levy to which the VMC has long objected.
“No other section of the road-using public has to fund their own safety. It’s appalling,” he says.
As part of the Victorian bus lane trial, the following “safety treatments” will be included:
VicRoads will monitor and evaluate the trial sites over the next five years.
For more information refer to the VicRoads Use of Bus Lanes by Other Modes Policy.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Triumph has confirmed to will replace the Daytona 675 they axed in 2017 with a Daytona 765 powered by a version of their control engine for the Moto2 class.
Ever since Triumph was announced as the Moto2 engine supplier in 2017 for the 2019-21 seasons, it has been expected the new engine would power a Daytona replacement.
Now they have confirmed a limited-edition Daytona Moto2 765 will be revealed at the GoPro British Grand Prix at Silverstone on 23 August 2019.
Triumph promises it will have “highest power and torque” from its new Moto2-derived 765cc triple engine and “highest ever specification and rider technology”.
It will come in race paint scheme and the chassis will be based on the British championship-winning Daytona 675 R.
However, they are only making limited run of individually numbered motorcycles, with 765 for Europe and Asia (including Australia), and 765 for the US and Canada.
We expect that, like the Rocket 3 TFC (Triumph Factory Custom) there will be a production model to follow the limited-edition run.
Final engine specification, suspension, and electronic details are yet to be confirmed for the street-legal Moto2 version.
However, it is likely to come in several specifications when it is released in volume production.
While Triumph has only released the one drawing (above), back in February we published these spy images from British website Motorcyclenews of the Daytona 765 in Spain.
Listen to the race engine wail in this video.
The three-cylinder Moto2 race engine is believed to have 97kW of power and meet the coming Euro 5 emissions standards.
It is derived from the 90kW 765cc Street Triple but with more than 80 new parts.
They include an increased bore and stroke, new crank, pistons, titanium valves, stiffer valve springs and Nikasil-plated aluminium barrels.
The race bike also has a taller first gear ratio, a tunable slipper clutch, a new sump and an ECU developed by Magneti Marelli who supply the MotoGP control unit.
We’re not sure how much of this tech will make it into the street-legal version.
However, there is talk that it will have traction control, several engine modes, cornering ABS and a quickshifter with autoblipper to match wheel and engine speeds on downshifts and make you sound like you know what you’re doing!
The bike is expected to weigh in at about 180kg.
Moto2 replaced the 250cc two-stroke GP class in 2010.
It has since been powered by Honda’s 600cc four-cylinder engine.
When the MotoGP season starts on March 10 in Qatar, there will be a healthy field of 32 riders in the Moto2 category.
Triumph’s Daytona 675R engines have powered super sports wins at the Isle of Man TT, Daytona 200 and British Supersports Championships in 2014 and 2015.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
PosTeamBikeTime
1 F.C.C. TSR Honda France Honda 2m07.2362
Kawasaki Racing Team Suzuka 8HKawasaki+0.3783
YART – YAMAHAYamaha+0.7924
MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO. HondaHonda+0.8675
YOSHIMURA SUZUKI MOTUL RACING Suzuki+1.1436
Red Bull HondaHonda+1.3307
YAMAHA FACTORY RACING TEAMYamaha+1.6188
au . Teluru SAG RTHonda+1.9269
KYB MORIWAKI RACINGHonda+2.14210
S-PULSE DREAM RACING . IAISuzuki+2.51611
KRP SANYOUKOGYO & will raise RS-ITOHKawasaki+2.74612
Honda Asia-Dream Racing with SHOWAHonda+2.76513
Suzuki Endurance Racing TeamSuzuki+3.02514
TK SUZUKI BLUE MAXSuzuki+3.31615
VRD IGOL PIERRET EXPERIENCESYamaha+3.33216
Honda Dream RT SAKURAI HONDAHonda+3.66717Team ATJ with JAPAN POSTHonda+3.70618
EVA RT WEBIKE TATi TEAM TRICKSTARKawasaki+3.78619TEAM FRONTIERHonda+3.90020
Honda Endurance RacingHonda+3.92921
icu RT MOTOKIDS NAC SANYOYamaha+3.97722
Moto Map SWATSuzuki+4.02223
MobiusGreen YAOKAWASAKIKawasaki+4.04724
TEAM SRC KAWASAKI FRANCEKawasaki+4.17325
Team BABY FACE Titanium Power RacingYamaha+4.24426
AKENO SPEED.YAMAHAYamaha+4.26127
Team ERC-BMW Motorrad EnduranceBMW+4.30128
TONE RT SYNCEDGE 4413BMW+4.31929
Team KodamaYamaha+5.23330TERAMOTO@J-TRIP RacingBMW+5.25731
TEAM HANSHIN RIDING SCHOOLKawasaki+5.39732ARMY. GIRL Team TJC & MF KawasakiKawasaki+5.44633
RC KOSHIEN YAMAHA Endurance ASEANYamaha+5.52934
Wójcik Racing TeamYamaha+5.63035
OMEGA MACO RACINGYamaha+5.70236
Honda Hamayuukai Hamamatsu EscargotHonda+5.72637
Bolliger Team SwitzerlandKawasaki+5.80338Z
aif NCXX RACING & ZENKOUKAIYamaha+5.80539
TEAM R2CL SUN CHLORELLASuzuki+6.02340
Yamashina Kawasaki & AutoRaceUBE with YIC BRKawasaki+6.21641
Team WITH87 Kawasaki PLAZA FukuokahigashiKawasaki+6.60942
Team de”LIGHTDucati+6.97143Z
aif NCXX RACINGYamaha+7.10544
Honda Ryokuyoukai Kumamoto RacingHonda+7.24245
GSM RACINGSuzuki+7.44646
CLUB NEXT & MOTO BUMHonda+7.46747
NIPPON SUMATRA BIO MASSE D REXYamaha+7.58348
TransMapRacing with ACE CAFESuzuki+7.59249
TIO VerityBMW+7.59950
H.L.O RACING SUZUKINSuzuki+7.80551
E P S Racing GarageL8 TT45Yamaha+8.09452S
inshu activation project . Team NAGANOHonda+8.53453I
WATA RACING FAMILYYamaha+8.66954
MOTOBOX KREMER & Favorite FactoryYamaha+8.70555
PLUS ONE MCRTKawasaki+9.27256
Honda Koyokai DREAM Racing TeamHonda+9.55157
HKC & IMT Racing KUNO KOGYOYamaha+9.79158
Honda Blue Helmets MSC Kumamoto & AsakaHonda+10.06259
HAMAMATSU TEAM TITANSuzuki+10.06660
Honda EG RacingHonda+10.32961
FUN FACTORY @ CS STANCEBMW+10.73462
DOG HOUSESuzuki+10.90363
TEAM SUGAI RACING JAPANAprilia+13.98564
moto cubic + Motorrad Toyota + NRBMW–65Honda Suzuka Racing TeamHonda–66K’s WORKS RACING YSSYamaha–
Source: MCNews.com.au