Yamaha Preview Queensland Superbikes

by Dave · June 26, 2007

It will be business as usual for Australia’s leading road race operation as it attempts to put together a maximum points weekend at Queensland Raceway this weekend, the site of rounds 6 & 7 of the YMF Loan Australian Superbike Championship.

The second double-header event for 2007 will see extra staff join the Yamaha Racing Team in order to maintain its Superbike and Supersport riders’ strong series campaigns. Currently leading both classes aboard the YZF-R1 and YZF-R6 machines respectively, riders will use data gained from an encouraging test session three weeks ago to ensure they hit the ground running on Thursday morning.

The double header format provides twice as much racing, but riders will need to qualify well as the results of Friday’s merged sessions are not progressive – they will start in the grid positions they qualified in for all 4 races.Jamie Stauffer and brother Dan head up Yamaha’s charge on the R1, while Jason O’Halloran and Jeremy Crowe are joined by Jamie again on the R6.

The Yamaha Racing Team will take time out of their busy schedule on Sunday for a very special meet and greet session with some children from the local Starlight Foundation. The team received a fantastic response in 2006 and looks forward to brightening the day of some little faces again this weekend.

Yamaha Racing Team Superbike.

With a 50 point lead and 101 points on offer this weekend, reigning Australian Superbike titleholder and Yamaha pilot Jamie Stauffer is determined to do everything in his power to take two from two round wins and seal the deal ahead of the season’s final outing. And while it’s theoretically possible he could wrap up his second consecutive title at Queensland Raceway, he knows there will be strong opposition from a number of riders that have been on the improve over the last few rounds.

Stauffer will concentrate on letting his on-track performance do the talking at this weekend’s event and feels as though the team is fully-prepared following its pre-round test.“We are pretty confident about racing at Queensland Raceway and feel as though we’re on top of things with both bikes,” said Stauffer. “The surface seems to have become even bumpier in parts since last year and it was good to find these new limits at the test a few weeks ago. With the double-header format the plan will be to go for pole in order to set ourselves in the best possible positition across the four races. It will be a tough ask physically, as I’m racing in both classes, but I’m confident that I’m up to it.”

Jamie’s closest opposition in 2007 has been brother Dan, who is second in the standings on 185 points.The last double-header round, contested at the rural Victorian circuit of Winton, proved a fruitful venture for Stauffer who wrangled a race win away from his brother. And while he is out to lay down another strong challenge, he is also wary of two rival riders closing in on the championship table.

“This round will be about qualifying well, and making sure we’re in a good position to run with the leaders rather than mounting a chase all race,” said Stauffer.“The track seems to get more and more tyre-hungry each year, and if you push hard early you will notice a definite lack of grip towards the end of the race. It should be a great weekend, the test proved that the R1 has what it takes to mix it at the front.”

Yamaha Racing Team Supersport.

The title of Australian Supersport Champion looks set to go down to the wire in 2007, with Yamaha Racing Team young gun Jason O’Halloran offering the most opposition to Jamie Stauffer’s reclaiming of series champ status.To date, O’Halloran has had a slight edge over Stauffer, reflected in his championship pointscore – he leads by 13 points.

At this weekend’s Queensland Raceway double-header event, he knows it will be a tough ask to fend off Stauffer across all 4 races, but he feels as though he is very well physically prepared for the task.
“Queensland Raceway will be a make or break weekend, it’s quite close at the top and with 100 points up for grabs in the races it really can go anyone’s way,” said O’Halloran. “I had a good run here last year, which included a race win, so I’m pretty confident heading into the event. The team has the R6 running perfectly, and I can’t wait to get underway.”

While the battle for the win is sure to be on between teammates O’Halloran and Stauffer, there’s no discounting Jeremy Crowe, who is keen to challenge for the podium following a lean round in Tasmania.

“There’s a lot of riders on top of their game at the moment and it’s a very competitive field,” said Crowe. “In saying that I know I am able to run with the front guys and if I can qualify well I feel as though it could be a very valuable weekend. I’m only a few points behind third in the championship so I’ll definitely be pushing to finish ahead of Josh (Waters) to get the place back.” .

Championship Standings.

Superbike
1. Jamie STAUFFER, 235
2. Daniel STAUFFER, 185
3. Craig COXHELL, 175
4. Glenn ALLERTON, 169
5. Wayne MAXWELL, 140
6. Shawn GILES, 132
7. Shannon JOHNSON, 126
8. Scott CHARLTON, 118
9. Russell HOLLAND, 117
10. Robert BUGDEN, 100

Supersport
1. Jason O'HALLORAN, 224
2. Jamie STAUFFER, 211
3. Joshua WATERS, 176
4. Jeremy CROWE, 169
5. Russell HOLLAND, 168
6. Gareth JONES, 109
7. Wayne MAXWELL, 104
8. Bryan STARING, 97
9. Christopher SEATON, 94
10. Mick KELLY, 93