Motourage

Wild weather conditions could play a significant part in deciding the podium for this weekend’s sixth round of the Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship at Phillip Island, running alongside the 500km V8 Supercar endurance race.

Predicted barreling winds and steady showers throughout the course of practice, qualifying and the two 10-lap races will keep riders and teams on their toes, with setup likely to vary by the session.

Time will tell if the storming run of Superbike points leader Bryan Staring can be stopped; the Gold Coast-based Cougar Bourbon Honda rider has won four consecutive races and enjoys a handy advantage at the top of the table. The closest challenger, fellow Honda rider Wayne Maxwell, said a number of factors would come into play this weekend.

Wayne Maxwell:
“The races are shorter, for a start, which changes strategy. There’s certainly no chance of tires overheating, but whether or not there is an advantage in sprinting an entire race or holding back until the last few laps remains to be seen.
The conditions are something we all have to manage. We are expecting it to be pretty wet and windy for most of the weekend, so hopefully the setup won’t vary too much. I definitely need to win this weekend; there is no two ways about it. The buffer Bryan (Staring) has is enough for him to be comfortable, so I need to push my hardest.
Queensland didn’t go as well as it should have and I’ve made the job harder for myself, but Phillip Island is a track I do well at and I’ve already got a couple of wins in the bag from earlier in the year.”

Staring, who is closing in on a maiden Superbike title, said he was aiming to maintain the gap over Maxwell and a fast-finishing Glenn Allerton.

Bryan Staring:
“I’ve had a few weeks to train at home and we completed a good test at Phillip Island just over a week ago, all signs were positive and the new bike is feeling very strong. We’re well prepared so there’s no reason why we can’t come away from this weekend with another good haul of points.
Wind and a wet track certainly make things difficult but these are conditions we all have to deal with. A mistake-free run will be vital, there’s only 10 laps in each race so a good start will be important as will consistent, quick laps right to the checkered flag.”

2009 champion, Team Suzuki’s Josh Waters, is on the mend following his crash at US circuit Willow Springs but will not contest this weekend’s round. Instead, he will be concentrating on a return at Symmon’s Plains for the final round rather than risking another rider’s or his own safety. Waters predicted the final two rounds, including this weekend’s Phillip Island showdown, would be a battle between Staring and Maxwell.

Josh Waters:
“I feel like I am ready to race and would love to be on track this weekend but I’m following medical advice and will not rush my return, I don’t want to put anyone at risk out there. The championship is now out of reach, but I am really focused on getting back on track for the final round at Symmon’s Plains to round out the year on a high.
I don’t like to be a spectator but the battle between Wayne and Bryan is going to be intense and great to watch,” he continued. “Wayne is unbelievable at Phillip Island and, going on history, I think he will have the edge.
Symmon’s Plains is another track he is very good at. On the other hand it has been Bryan all the way since the middle of the year, if he continues to ride the way he has then I can’t see anyone being able to get the points on him over the last 4 races.”

Following an impressive second-place finish for the round at Queensland Raceway, Ducati Motologic Racing’s Jamie Stauffer is another rider who will be in contention for a podium placing. Stauffer and Team Manager Paul Free have come to grips with the steep development curve of the Ducati 1198R which will come into its element on the sweeping Phillip Island circuit. He will be the lone Ducati pilot this weekend with teammate Jordy Burgess still sidelined after a qualifying crash last round.

BMW’s Craig Coxhell will be looking for another rocket start to Saturday and Sunday’s 10-lap races after an impressive performance at Ipswich. His CJC Racing S100R shot from the second row of the grid to lead the field into turn one in the second race of the day. Two maximum points hauls saw Coxhell close the gap even further in the Superstock 1000 A&B points race, and like the Ducati, the BMW should come into its own this weekend.

The Supersport field, bolstered by entries from the Superstock 600 class, will also contest two 10-lap races across the course of the event. Supersport action will resume with Team Suzuki’s Troy Herfoss leading the charge. Herfoss’ winning run was ended at Queensland Raceway when Yamaha’s Kevin Curtain slipped through and stole a pair of race wins. A solid effort by Triumph rider Christian Casella saw him step up as Herfoss’ closest opposition following a lackluster round for Brodie Waters.

Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship Points
1. Bryan STARING (QLD), 166 Points
2. Wayne MAXWELL (NSW), 147.5
3. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW), 115
4. Shawn GILES (VIC), 111.5
5. Scott CHARLTON (VIC), 110
6. Joshua WATERS (VIC), 105.5
7. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW), 98
8. Shannon JOHNSON (VIC), 90
9. Robert BUGDEN (QLD), 87
10. John ALLEN (QLD), 68.5

Insure My Ride Australian Supersport Championship Points
1. Troy HERFOSS (VIC), 178
2. Christan CASELLA (VIC), 150
3. Brodie WATERS (VIC), 141
4. Chris QUINN (NSW), 107
5. Aaron GOBERT (NSW), 98
6. Ben BURKE (NSW), 87
7. Ryan TAYLOR (VIC), 80
8. Kevin CURTAIN (VIC), 70
9. Mitchell CARR (NSW), 68
10. Blake LEIGH-SMITH (QLD), 63