Yamaha Racing Team press release:

Valuable track time at an official pre-round test has given the Yamaha Racing Team a steady direction to follow at this weekend’s second round of the Australian Superbike Championships (ASBK) to be held at Symmon’s Plains Raceway.

Tasmania turned on its typical changeable weather but the results saw the team gain a better understanding of their new R1 racebike ahead of only its second competitive outing.

Team Principal John Redding said considerable progress was made and team was looking forward to improved results.

“The test was very beneficial, we laid down some good, fast times and all of the riders were pleased with the chance to test the bikes just a few days out from the event,” said Redding.

“We were slightly behind the eight-ball at Phillip Island but have taken delivery of all the new factory race parts which should see a steady move up the timesheets.

“The R1 is a substantially different bike and we’re happy to have found a balance so early on in the season.

“Weather could play a part early on in the weekend, whether it clears up or not for the races we can only wait and see, but its not a particularly good circuit to race on in the rain.”

Supersport star and winner of the previous round, Bryan Staring was well on track aboard his R6, setting the pace and establishing a solid base setup for this weekend’s event.

Pat Medcalf will open his points account in the newly-incepted Superstock 1000 class this weekend and is eager to convert pre-season form into a result.

Yamaha Racing Team Superbike

The Yamaha Racing Team’s Daniel Stauffer believes that the outfit is close to recapturing the front-running form that won 2 from 2 races at Tasmania’s Symmon’s Plains Raceway last year.

The ASBK heads back to the 2.4km circuit on the outskirts of Launceston this weekend for its second round of competition.

The Phillip Island opener may not have produced the results on paper that the multiple championship-winning team is renowned for, but spirits were high following the positive debut of a radically-new racebike in the 2009 R1.

Stauffer said he was looking forward to the challenge of Symmon’s Plains and noted that the team had made some solid gains in terms of his bike’s race setup.

“Yesterday’s test session saw us make some considerable improvements to the R1 with the factory package now complete, the potential of the bike is really starting to show,” said Stauffer.

“Our speed was good and we’re at a track we’ve done well at in the past, so I’m really looking forward to the weekend at Symmon’s Plains.”

He is fifth in the championship on 33 points, with teammate and brother Jamie in close check in seventh with 28 points.

The defending Supersport champion will grid up for his regular double duties, not only campaigning the new R1 in the Superbike class but also climbing aboard the class-leading R6 to contest Supersport.

Riders will contest two 20-lap races across the course of the weekend following practice and qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday respectively.

Australian Superbike Championship Points after round 1 of 7
1. Joshua WATERS (VIC) 43
2. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW) 42
3. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) 39
4. Shawn GILES (VIC) 33
5. Daniel STAUFFER (QLD) 33
6. Craig COXHELL (VIC) 31
7. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW) 28
8. Robert BUGDEN (VIC) 24
9. Brayden CARR (NSW) 23
10. Zac DAVIES (NSW) 21

Yamaha Racing Team Supersport

Australian Supersport Championship leader Bryan Staring is eyeing back-to-back round wins at this weekend’s Symmon’s Plains showdown in Tasmania following a standout performance at Phillip Island.

A determined Staring took line honours following a string of standout performances, adding 45 points to his name.

He is hoping that the Tasmanian round, which has been brought forward from its regular staging in winter, yields similar results and is quietly confident following yesterday’s free practice session.

“The opportunity to get in a practice session just a few days before the event was beneficial, the team has a very good understanding of the R6 at Symmon’s Plains and the bike was fast straight out of the truck,” said Staring.

“I’m confident we can maintain the pace and go here challenging for more wins, the weather is a variable which we will all need to contend with should the rain and wind still be around by the time we go racing.”

Teammate Pat Medcalf will take to the track for the first ever Superstock 1000 race weekend, and is determined to make his mark early.

Consistency will be an integral element in the championship this year as it only features at 5 of the 7 regular rounds on the calendar.

Australian Supersport Championship Points after round 1 of 7
1. Bryan STARING (QLD) 45
2. Judd GREEDY (QLD) 45
3. Ben ATTARD (NSW) 35
4. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW) 33
5. Troy HERFOSS (VIC) 32
6. Scott CHARLTON (VIC) 30
7. Christan CASELLA (VIC) 29
8. Cameron KEEVERS (WA) 28
9. Dustin GOLDSMITH (NSW) 24
10. Jake HORNE (QLD) 21