Motourage

Procon Racing BMW rider Glenn Allerton dominated a drama-charged day at Phillip Island this weekend, winning both races of the opening round of the Viking Group Australian Superbike Championships in spectacular style.

BMW's Glenn Allerton

The field was forced to gamble with a damp circuit sending some riders scrambling for spare bikes with wet tires fitted. The BMW S 1000 RR-mounted Allerton elected to remain on slicks, and, despite being swamped in the opening laps, soon found pace as a dry line around the 4.45km circuit emerged.

The 30-year-old picked off place after place, and by the fifth lap found himself in the lead after blazing past pole sitter Wayne Maxwell who was struggling on deteriorating wet rubber. Allerton greeted the checkered flag with a lead of more than 20 seconds, with second-place going to another European machine, the Aprilia RSV-4 ridden by Ben Attard.

Proving the victory was no fluke, the NSW-based rider backed up the performance by winning race two in dry conditions, again by a solid margin. Two wins from two starts, on debut with a new team and race bike, has Allerton excited about his championship chances in 2011.

“This is the best start to a season I’ve ever had,” said an ecstatic Allerton. “The weekend really could not have gone better for us given we are a new team and racing a new bike. We made a good choice this morning on the slicks but in the second race showed that the pace was genuine. Given the limited time we’ve had to work on the bike, the team at Hepburn Motorsport have done an awesome job and I cannot fault them at all. Thanks also has to go to all at BMW.”

Allerton leaves Phillip Island with a 13-point advantage over second-placed rider Troy Herfoss, who was impressive in his first ever Superbike outing with Team Suzuki. Herfoss’ result was built on both speed and consistency. The GSX-R1000 rider settled for a strong fourth place in the opening race when unable to attack, but was on song in the second 12-lapper and raced to a comfortable podium position.

“It was a tough weekend and I’m very glad to come away sitting second,” said Herfoss. “Our testing pace was great so I was a little confused as to why I was taking a while to get comfortable on the bike. Getting a good result on wet tires in the first race gave me the confidence I needed, and I was able to mix it with the leaders in the second. I’m taking steady steps in my approach to this season and this weekend has provided me with a solid start.”
Read more…

Former Australian Superbike Champion Glenn Allerton has wasted little time in getting up to speed on his new BMW S 1000 RR, setting the day’s fastest practice time at round one of the Viking Group Australian Superbike Championships at Phillip Island.

Glenn Allerton

Though a recent shakedown indicated the European bike would be quick, few would have predicted this immediate impact. Allerton pounced on the last of his eight laps, delivering a time of 1:34.354 to hold off Team Honda Racing’s Wayne Maxwell by a 0.241-second margin. With only a few days of on-track development behind it, the Procom Racing machine, campaigned by Hepburn Motorsport, must surely be considered a championship chance with Allerton on board. The 30 year old was pleased with his lap times and thanked his team for their effort.

“I’m really happy with how the bike felt today, it was fast and worked well on the tires – I had a heap of fun,” said Allerton. “I’m excited about the weekend ahead and feel we can be a real factor in the results. I can’t fault the effort of the team at Hepburn Motorsport. We’ve had only two weeks to prepare for the round and everyone has worked tirelessly to build a bike that is quick and handles well.”

Team Suzuki’s Troy Herfoss was third-fastest, the result making for three different manufacturers at the top of the timesheets.

Young gun Cru Halliday was the quickest of the Prostock competitors today, setting a 1:39.053 lap aboard his Yamaha R1.

With their brother Josh making an impact on the World Superbike stage, Brodie and Nick Waters were quick to respond in the Supersport class. The Victorian siblings were first and second-fastest respectively aboard their Suzuki GSX-R600 racers.

Yamaha’s R6 claimed the three fastest times in a packed Superstock field today.

Reece Bancell Scholarship recipient, Mike Jones, was the standout with a 1:38.901 lap. Sean Condon and Andrew Kings, both New South Welshmen, filled positions two and three.

The Superbike/Prostock field, backed this weekend by ASBK presenting sponsor QBE, will contest a further practice session tomorrow, followed by the first of two qualifying sessions.

The Supersport and Superstock classes will contest two 20-minute qualifying sessions apiece.

Superbike – Round 1, Practice 1
1. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW) / Procom Racing, BMW S 1000 RR, 1:34.354
2. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) / Team Honda Racing, Honda CBR-RR, 1:34.595
3. Troy HERFOSS (VIC) / Team Suzuki, Suzuki GSX-R, 1:35.001
4. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW) / Team Honda Racing, Honda CBR-RR, 1:36.050
5. Craig COXHELL (VIC) / Demolition Plus Gas Honda, Honda CBR, 1:36.211
6. Robert BUGDEN (QLD) / Team Mack Trucks Suzuki, Suzuki GSX-R, 1:36.253
7. Beau BEATON (NSW) / North Coast V-Twins, Ducati 1198 R     1:36.287
8. Ben ATTARD (QLD) Aprilia RSV4, 1:36.707
9. Ben HENRY (QLD) Suzuki GSX-R, 1:37.597
10. Kris McLAREN (VIC) / Kirk McCarthy Memorial Award, Honda CBR-RR, 1:38.221

Supersport – Round 1, Practice 1
1. Brodie WATERS (VIC) / Team Suzuki, Suzuki GSX-R, 1:38.634
2. Nicholas WATERS (VIC) / Waters Racing, Suzuki GSX-R, 1:39.140
3. Kevin CURTAIN (VIC) / Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:39.616
4. Aaron GOBERT (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R6     1:39.758
5. Rick OLSON (VIC) / Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:40.064
6. Blake LEIGH-SMITH (QLD), Suzuki GSX-R, 1:40.207
7. Mitchell CARR (NSW) / Carr Bros. Motorsport, Triumph Daytona, 1:40.584
8. Christan CASELLA (VIC) Triumph Daytona, 1:40.594
9. Chris QUINN (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:40.837
10. Dylan MAVIN (QLD) / Champion’s Ride Days Race Team, Honda CBR-RR, 1:41.188

Superstock – Round 1, Practice 1
1. Michael JONES (QLD) / Reece Bancell Scholarship, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.901
2. Sean CONDON (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:41.089
3. Andrew KINGS (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:41.660
4. Josh HOOK (NSW)     Honda CBRR, 1:42.032
5. Mark WILKINSON (VIC) Kawasaki ZX6, 1:42.124
6. Timothy McGREGOR (NSW) Kawasaki ZX6R, 1:42.950
7. Daniel FALZON (SA) Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:43.210
8. Adrian DI GIANDOMENICO (VIC) Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:44.353
9. James BECK (NSW) / Evermil Pty Ltd, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:44.760

It was a case of “to finish first, first you must finish” for Bryan Staring who endured torrid conditions at Tasmania’s Symmons Plains circuit to win his maiden Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship title. The Cougar Bourbon Honda pilot held the advantage over fellow Honda rider Wayne Maxwell going into the race, needing simply to finish today’s 16-lap finale to take the championship.

A plume of spray rose as the field headed into the first corner and it was the wet weather warriors that reigned supreme as Staring played it safe. Ducati Motologic Racing’s Jamie Stauffer led momentarily before Team Suzuki’s Josh Waters took over, controlling proceedings until lap 3 where Maxwell made his move. The odds were stacked against Maxwell who needed to win or take second and have Staring fail to finish, and he gave himself every chance should misfortune have struck the points leader. The Demolition Plus GAS Honda rider soldiered on to take an impressive victory ahead of Waters, but the overall spoils went to Staring who survived a breath-taking moment negotiating lap traffic to finish 8th.

Staring was elated with his championship victory and said he fought hard to control his nerves during the closing stages of the race.
“I feel funny about it because that last race went so terribly. I couldn’t see a thing out there and it was a real battle to finish,” explained the 23-year-old. “I couldn’t help but think about the championship in today’s race, I told myself I’d race to my own agenda but there were people passing me left, right and center, and it was certainly on my mind.

“I’m so glad to have raced this season with Honda and the Cougar Bourbon Honda team, we’ve had such a successful year and this championship has come down to the effort of so many people. This is a huge achievement for us and it will probably take a while to sink in. Thanks also to Wayne (Maxwell) and the other riders who have pushed me every step of the way.”

The title of Australian Superbike Champion will be added to Staring’s previous achievements of Supersport and 125GP victories, making him the only rider in the history of national road race competition to achieve the elusive “triple crown.”

The Gold Coast-based rider started the 2010 season without a race victory next to his name and finished with five, an incredible feat considering his team was formed just weeks before the opening round in February.
Read more…

The late-season form of Ducati Motologic Racing’s Jamie Stauffer continued today at Symmons Plains Raceway in Tasmania, with the two-time Viking Group Australian Superbike Champion setting the pace in qualifying for the seventh and final round of the season. His best lap of the deceptively-demanding circuit was a 54.355s, .202 clear of Valvoline Superbike Team Honda rider Glenn Allerton. Stauffer made the switch to the powerful 1198R at the start of the season, and by the mid-point showed it would be a force to be reckoned with, regularly topping the timesheets. His only win in Ducati colors came at the non-championship MotoGP support event last month, and he is eager to convert today’s promising pace to points this weekend.

“It’s a good result to start off with but we’re really looking forward to converting it to a couple of race wins,” said Stauffer. “I’m confident that the bike is as good in race trim as it is as a qualifier. If I can pull off another good flying lap in Superpole then we’re in with a shot. We came here expecting wet conditions but we had a dry run for both sessions so there would be big changes to make if the rain starts falling tomorrow.”

The Newcastle-based rider will be the last of 8 out to contest tomorrow’s Motul Superpole, and will look to defend his provisional placing at the head of the field.

Two more former champions trailed Stauffer on the timesheets. 2008 titleholder Glenn Allerton delivered a typically-solid effort in second place with a 54.557s lap in the closing stages of the 20-minute qualifying session.

Following a successful return to his regular ride on the Team Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2009 champion Josh Waters was instantly on the pace, clocking the third-quickest time.

The only two riders in contention for the title had a safe day, with Demolition Plus GAS Honda’s Wayne Maxwell banking a time good enough for fourth fastest, and Cougar Bourbon Honda Racing’s Bryan Staring the last man in the 54-second bracket in fifth.

Christian Casella got the edge over Insure My Ride Australian Supersport points leader Troy Herfoss in the final stages of today’s 20 minute qualifying for the 600cc machines. The Triumph 675 rider recorded a time of 56.682s on lap 19 of 19, just .098s clear of his Suzuki rival. Today’s result could be too little, too late to stop Herfoss, who can wrap up the title a day early if he finishes in the top two tomorrow.

Local rider Brett Symonds used his intimate knowledge of the track to set the third quickest time on his Yamaha today.

Brodie Waters, the third rider in mathematical contention for the Supersport title, was fourth on his Suzuki GSX-R600.

Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship, Round 7 – Symmons Plains, Qualifying

1. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW) / Ducati Motologic Racing, 54.355
2. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW) / Valvoline Superbike Team, 54.557
3. Joshua WATERS (VIC) / Team Suzuki, 54.833
4. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) / Demolition Plus GAS Honda Racing, 54.870
5. Bryan STARING (QLD/WA) / Cougar Bourbon Honda, 54.924
6. Robert BUGDEN (QLD) / Team Suzuki
7. Daniel STAUFFER (QLD) / The Natural Aprilia Racing Team, 55.514
8. Scott CHARLTON (NSW) / Racers Edge Performance, 55.580
9. Craig COXHELL (VIC) / CJC Racing, 56.041
10. Kris McLAREN (VIC) / McLaren Motorsports, 56.279

Insure My Ride Australian Supersport Championship, Round 7 – Symmons Plains, Qualifying

1. Christan CASELLA (VIC) / Aark Electrics / Peter Stevens M-cycles / Triumph, 56.682
2. Troy HERFOSS (VIC) / Team Suzuki, 56.780
3. Brett SIMMONDS (TAS) / Simmonds Racing / Xlite Helmets / Motul / Dunlop, 57.808
4. Brodie WATERS (VIC) / Waters Racing, 57.901
5. Chris QUINN (NSW) / The Cannon Store / Coopers Pale Ale, 57.902
6. Ben BURKE (NSW), 57.947
7. Aaron GOBERT (NSW) / AGR Inc / Bell Helmets / Yamaha / Dynojet, 58.211
8. Nicholas WATERS (VIC) / Waters Racing, 58.729
9. Andy LAWSON Jnr (QLD) / Champion’s Ride Days Race Team / Palfinger Aust., 59.502
10. Ryan TAYLOR (VIC) / Pakenham Yamaha / Monitor my Super, 59.509

After all but counting himself out, Cougar Bourbon Honda Racing pilot Bryan Staring was able to produce a near perfect lap to claim pole position for the fifth round of the Viking Australian Superbike Championship at Queensland Raceway.

Staring struggled in today’s two 30-minute qualifying sessions and was hopeful of simply securing a front-row start. Midway through Motul Superpole, Staring’s split time suggested he had found some extra pace, and it was confirmed as he stopped the clock with a 1:10.379 lap of the 3.12km circuit, the fastest lap of the day.

Wayne Maxwell came agonizingly close to knocking Staring from the top spot, lapping just nine-hundredths of a second slower than his fellow Honda rider. The Demolition Plus GAS Honda pilot claimed provisional pole after a solid showing in this afternoon’s second qualifying session, and was encouraged despite missing out by such a small margin.

KTM Superbike Team rider Shannon Johnson enjoyed a welcome return to form, qualifying his RC8R in third position with a tidy Superpole lap.
“Qualifying has been a dream run in comparison to the last round, last time we were here we only did 3 laps in qualifying – this time I find myself in third,” said Johnson. “It’s the first time all year we’ve made Superpole and we improved a handful of positions on top of qualifying. It’s a huge credit to all involved in the outfit including KTM and ESG (Evolution Sports Group).
After the last round I was really questioning myself but we worked hard, tried a few things at a test which yielded positive result and here we are.
This is the best the bike has felt all year; it feels good in the turns, which was its weak point in the past. Over race distance this will be a strong point, too.
I’ve already exceeded my goal for the weekend and – who knows – we might just be in a position to take a podium which would be amazing.”

The Valvoline-backed entry of Glenn Allerton made it three Honda CBR1000RR racers on the front row, with the 2008 champ recording a 1:11.300.

CJC Racing Superstock entrant Craig Coxhell made it in to Superpole for the second round in a row and showed the might of the 1000cc BMW machine on Queensland Raceway’s two long straights. He was fifth quickest and heads up the second row of the grid, followed by The Natural Aprilia Racing’s Dan Stauffer, Team Mack Trucks Suzuki’s Robbie Bugden and Ducati Motologic’s Jamie Stauffer who made a small mistake on his flying lap.

Read more…

Bryan Staring crosses the line at Queensland

Cougar Bourbon Honda Racing’s Bryan Staring has rocketed from third to first in the race for Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship honors with a clean sweep at Queensland Raceway, host of round three. This morning’s race win was a career first for the 23-year-old from the Gold Coast, but he wasn’t content to stop at one, comfortably winning the second 16-lap battle and the round in the process. Staring’s stellar starts were a key contributor; he was away well from second place on the grid and once in the lead looked unstoppable. The results cap off a weekend in which rider and team went from strength to strength.

“It’s been such an unreal weekend, we kept progressing with what we knew and the bike just kept getting better,” said Staring. “I said yesterday that Wayne (Maxwell) had a clean sweep in the first round, Josh (Waters) in the second and felt it might have been my weekend to have a go too. The team deserves this victory as much as me, they put together an awesome bike in the CBR1000RR.This is my local round now so it’s good to share this with my family and friends.”

Staring collects 50 points for the round and dislodges Demolition Plus GAS Honda’s Wayne Maxwell from the top spot after the Victorian endured a frustrating day. Maxwell finished third in both races, unable to convert yesterday’s blistering qualifying pace into a result today. A despondent Maxwell said there was lots of work to be done before the series returned to the circuit in Ipswich for its next point-scoring round.

“We’ve got a lot of work in front of us, today was a constant struggle,” he said. “We were gifted a few places in that second race when a few of the other bikes dropped out, that was the only positive to come from today. Josh (Waters) and Bryan (Staring) raced hard today and are making this a really tough battle, congratulations to both. We’ll go away and regroup. The team is strong and I have to thank them for all their efforts today.”

Though consistent, Waters’ two second-place finishes weren’t enough to hold on to second place in the title race, and the defending champion said the team would most likely revert to the setup which brought them success at Hidden Valley in April.

“We made a few changes to the bike for the second race which helped, but no one was going to beat Bryan (Staring) today,” said Waters. “The bike was great and the team worked as hard as ever but it just wasn’t our day. We come back here in August and we’ll have a much better idea of where to start with setup from the outset. I’m looking forward to improving on today’s result and most importantly, staying in the hunt for the title.”

Two eventful races changed the complexion of the 2010 championship for a number of leading riders. Problems plagued Ducati Motologic Racing’s Jamie Stauffer, with the two-time winner exiting both races early and taking zero points for the round. The outcome is a slide from fourth to eighth on the standings.

Suzuki riders put in a solid performance across the board, claiming positions 4 through 6 for the round. Brisbane-based rider Team Mack Trucks Suzuki’s Robbie Bugden excelled at his home event, and makes good inroads on his 2010 campaign after missing the opening round. Team Suzuki’s Shawn Giles finished fifth followed by Racers Edge Performance Suzuki rider Scott Charlton.

Valvoline Superbike Team rider and 2008 champion Glenn Allerton launched an attack on the leaders in race two before a mishap put him out of the running and made the final few laps a salvage operation for points.

Gold Coast rider Daniel Stauffer put in his best performance of the season on the new factory Aprilia RSV4, finishing seventh for the round.
Read more…