Australian Superbike 2008 - Round One - Eastern Creek

Australian Superbike 2008 - Round Two - Mallala

Teknic Honda rider Glenn Allerton has catapulted from fifth to the top of the Australian Superbike Championship points table after winning both races at today’s second round at South Australia’s Mallala race circuit.

Allerton, who started from pole position, won the opening 17-lap race by 2.845sec from Team Joe Rocket Suzuki rider Shawn Giles, then pulled off a last-lap pass on Yamaha Racing Team rider Jamie Stauffer in race two to take his second victory of the day – this time by just 0.586sec.

Allerton’s haul of 51pts at Mallala moved him 4pts clear of Giles in the championship battle (80 to 76), with defending champion Stauffer dropping to third overall (71pts) after crashing out of contention two laps from the finish in the opening heat while challenging Allerton for race honours.

The Honda rider was recalled to the official factory team for 2008 after spending 2007 as a privateer, and rewarded his team with a perfect debut for the new 2008-model CBR1000RR Superbike.

“It’s my first Superbike pole, and I knew I had the pace this weekend to run at the front,” said Allerton. “The new bike is awesome – it’s nimble, and it’s got more power than my old bike.”

“There’s more to come too – we’re constantly making changes, so I’m really looking forward to the next round of the championship.”

Stauffer had a disappointing meeting by his standards, the two-times Superbike champion unable to explain his crash in race one.

“The front tyre just let go without warning,” said the 28-year-old. “I tried to pick the bike up to rejoin, but the handlebar was broken.”

Stauffer, who has dominated the past two seasons of Australian Superbike racing, and won both races at the opening round at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway last month, couldn’t remember the last time he crashed in a Superbike race.

“I think it was back in 2004, but it was a long time ago. I just don’t seem to be able to get good results at this circuit.”

Team Joe Rocket Suzuki rider Robbie Bugden finished second overall today after recording two third placings, with three-times Australian champion Giles third overall from second and fifth placings.

After two rounds of the seven-round championship Allerton has 80pts to Giles 76, Stauffer 71, Bugden 70 and Teknic Honda rider Jason O’Halloran 69.

Victorian pairing Mark Knight and Chris Wisner were fortunate to escape serious injury when they were flung from their sidecar at over 160km/h during Saturday’s final race. Both riders were knocked unconscious in the accident, with Knight’s helmet torn from his head as he hit the track surface.

Both riders were treated at the scene by the Racesafe Medical team, with Knight air-lifted to hospital for further treatment.

Pos	Name	Rnd 1	Pole	Race 1	Race 2	Series Total
1	Glenn ALLERTON (NSW)	29	1	25	25	80
2	Shawn GILES (NSW)	40	0	20	16	76
3	Jamie STAUFFER (NSW)	51	0	0	20	71
4	Robert BUGDEN (QLD)	34	0	18	18	70
5	Jason O'HALLORAN (NSW)	36	0	16	17	69
6	Daniel STAUFFER (NSW)	28	0	17	14	59
7	Craig COXHELL (VIC)	28	0	15	15	58
8	Kevin CURTAIN (NSW)	27	0	14	13	54
9	Shannon JOHNSON (VIC)	27	0	12	12	51
10	Scott CHARLTON (VIC)	23	0	13	10	46
11	Chris TROUNSON (VIC)	20	0	10	9	39
12	Trent GIBSON (VIC)	16	0	7	8	31
13	Jon CARTWRIGHT (QLD)	18	0	0	7	25
14	Zac DAVIES (NSW)	0	0	11	11	22
15	Mark HIGGINS (VIC)	13	0	6	3	22
16	Chris WILLIAMS (VIC)	13	0	0	4	17
17	Gregory EPIS (NSW)	0	0	8	5	13
18	Alex BUXTON (QLD)	10	0	0	0	10
19	Michael McMILLAN (QLD)	0	0	9	0	9
20	Michael BLUNDEN (SA)	0	0	0	6	6
21	Phil PAROS (VIC)	4	0	0	0	4