OLEON MOTOLOGIC RACING:

The 2009 season of the Woodstock Bourbon Australian Superbike Championship is now at an end and asomewhat disappointed yet proud Oleon Motologic Race team leave the final round with a 2nd and 3rd placing in the championship after a dramatic day of racing at Phillip Island over the weekend.

Going into the event 2008 champion Glenn Allerton and team mate Wayne Maxwell were both focused on the No. 1 plate with either Suzuki’s Josh Waters or one of the 2 Motologic riders set to go home a champion.

From the beginning of the weekend it was Wayne Maxwell who shone as the fastest out on track recording the fastest lap of 1:32.581 sec in practice on Friday. Maxwell dominated practice and qualifying taking pole position after Superpole was cancelled due to inclement weather. Maxwell had qualified fastest in both sessions ahead of Josh Waters and team mate Glenn Allerton and looked set to race to victory as he headed out for Race 1 and lead the field through the first lap.

However, his championship dreams disintegrated when he hit water on an otherwise dry track at the exit of turn 11 from the day’s previous downpour and came off his Honda CBR1000RR in spectacular fashion prompting a red flag to restart the race. With a suspected injury to his leg, Maxwell was unable to restart and his championship was over.

Maxwell commented; “I am definitely hurting after this weekend, both physically and emotionally. I was so close to being able to take the championship win for 2009, I was fastest out there up to that moment and I felt quietly confident I could do it. I just went too hard through that water on the track and I have paid for it dearly. That’s racing though. Congratulations to Suzuki and Josh Waters, he has ridden well all year. I have to say thank you to the team at Motologic for making it all possible. Thanks also to Shane Trovato at
Oleon Oils, Monza Imports, Dunlop and all the sponsors and people who have supported me this year. Everyone has worked really hard and the hard work is greatly appreciated.”

The first race of the day finished with Josh Waters taking first place, followed by Allerton in second and Suzuki’s Shaun Giles in third. With Maxwell out injured, the Oleon Motologic Championship hope now rested with Glenn Allerton for race 2 although Maxwell shocked the crowd as he appeared out on the grid for the 2nd race despite obvious injury as he was determined not to end his championship with a crash. However, after the warm-up lap Maxwell returned to the pits with a shake of the head, his season over.

Similarly to race one, the second race of the day was a dry race and Josh Waters started from 2nd place on the grid with Maxwell missing from Pole position. Allerton was flanked by Suzuki as he lined up in 3rd place on the grid with Giles and Bugden completing the buffer of Suzuki’s. The Suzuki assault proved too strong in the final race of the year and Allerton, after being boxed in by the 3 Suzuki’s off the start was unable to find the pace to match Waters’ speed through the race.

Motologic’s championship slipped away as Suzuki’s Josh Waters crossed the finish line first to claim his victory.

Allerton laments; “We came so very close to winning the championship after leading it all year, to lose 1st place at the final round is extremely difficult, but the level of competition this year has been fantastic and it is simply the way it sometimes goes. Full credit has to go to Josh Waters as he has consistently raced well throughout the year. Congratulations to Suzuki and Josh. I have to thank Paul and Laura Free and the Oleon Motologic team who have worked extremely hard all year and provided me with an awesome opportunity. Thanks also to Oleon Oils, Monza Imports, Dunlop tyres, and all the team sponsors for their continued support.”

Team owner and manager, Paul Free stood proudly at the podium as his riders took their places, Glenn Allerton in second place in the championship and Wayne Maxell in third.
Free said, “Racing this year has been extremely exciting as the competition was always strong. Congratulations to Josh Waters and Suzuki on the fantastic season and taking the number 1 plate for 2009. I couldn’t be more proud of my team this year they have worked extremely hard all year and provided fantastic support to Motologic and the riders.”

Although disappointed to not achieve back to back wins for 2008 and 2009 Free is philosophical about the year saying, “That’s racing; one minute you can be on top of the world winning the championship and the next you can be watching as someone else takes home the trophy. That is the nature of sport and it is that possibility, the chance to be No. 1 that keeps all of us returning to try harder and be the best we can be.”

Free went on to say, “Motologic would like to express their thanks to everyone involved in making the year possible. Shane Trovato at Oleon Oils has given us immense support again this year and our relationship continues to grow. Thanks also to Honda for the support they have provided to Motologic since the company was formed in 2007. Although we will not be competing on the track with Honda for 2010 I must say we have had some fantastic times over the years working both with the product and the people inside Honda. Personally for me it has been an awesome ride of 7 years.”

As the 2009 season ends, Motologic would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Yarrive Konsky and all the team at IEG for a fantastic first year of promoting the series. They have faced many challenges this year, but have done so with grace and determination. Well done.