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MotoGP 2005 - Phillip
Island - Australian Support Events Team Report - Yamaha October 19th, 2005
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MotoGP 2005 - Phillip
Island - Australian Support Events Team Report - Yamaha October 19th, 2005
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| It was smiles all around as,
in addition to winning the MotoGP, Yamaha was victorious in the
Supersport support races at the Polini Australian Motorcycle
Grand Prix. Yamaha also claimed pole positions in both the
premier Australian Superbike and Supersport classes that were
contested under pristine blue skies at the picturesque Phillip
Island circuit on the weekend (October 14-16). The meeting doubled as the perfect opportunity for the Yamaha Racing Team to have a shakedown for the final round of the 2005 YMF Loan Australian Superbike Championship next month at the same venue. Dan Stauffer showed the power, speed and handling of the Yamaha Racing Team’s YZF-R1 when he claimed pole position in dominant fashion in the Superbikes while leading privateer, Mark Aitchison, rocketed his Fraser’s Yamaha YZF-R6 to pole position in the Supersport class in front of the more fancied factory teams as well as taking out the overall victory in the class. Shannon Johnson proved his grit and determination in muscling his fire-breathing R1 around the physically demanding Phillip Island layout, considering he was still severely affected by the rib injuries he suffered attempting to defend his Australian Supermoto Championship early last month in Queensland. The team also welcomed World Endurance Championship campaigner, Damien Cudlin, into the team for the weekend. From the start in all three support Superbike races Dan led the field defiantly, but due to the team’s tyre choice couldn’t sustain the momentum. He finished fourth in all the races to be the leading Dunlop-shod rider but gut wrenchingly missed out on a podium spot by a solitary point while Shannon was sixth and Damian 14th. Yamaha Racing Team Manager, John Redding was delighted with the team’s performance after the weekend and enthused for the final round. “Although it was a non-championship event it was vitally important for us to take away as much data as possible to finish the season on a high. “Dan showed how much he thrives at Phillip Island and his enviable determination was rewarded with pole position for the three races and I’d like to congratulate Shannon and Damian on their results as well as the performance of Mark Aitchison. “Shannon showed remarkable fortitude riding under severe distress with his injuries. This was apparent after the last race where he scored his best result when he finished sixth. He put in a Herculean effort in the conditions and, due to the effect the race had on his battered body we requested he attend the medical centre for observation. “As for Damian, he was thrown in the deep end at very short notice and had to adapt to the very different characteristics of the Yamaha Racing Team’s Australian-spec YZF-R1 Superbike. With such little practice and qualifying his efforts were impressive. “Due to the rules we were only allowed to use two sets of tyres during the three races and at a place like Phillip Island, the choice of compounds definitely have a bearing on the outcome, especially having to ensure that one tyre is used in two races.” Meanwhile it was an excellent result for Yamaha in the ultra-competitive Supersport class as leading privateer, Mark Aitchison (Fraser’s Yamaha YZF-R6) took out the overall victory with some sensational riding performances. After nabbing pole position, a sixth place and a second, Mark took a brilliant victory in the final race to claim the overall. The win was his second national victory this year and a fitting reward after he missed out on victory in the second leg by an agonising 0.001sec! His sixth place in the opening eight-lap race was, arguably, the ride of the weekend. After leading off the line he was forced into the dirt at the first hairpin after being hit from behind by another rider and rejoined the race in last place. In a highly spirited riding display, showing the mettle that will ensure Mark goes on to much future success, he charged his way back through the field, setting the fastest lap of the race in the process. In a surprise move and unbeknown to anyone except his team manager, Marty Dowd, Mark fronted the grid with his immaculate Yamaha YZR-R6 painted in the traditional Yamaha yellow livery made famous by Kenny Roberts in the 70’s. The popular colour scheme was seen more recently with Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards at the US MotoGP in July to mark 50 very successful years for the Yamaha factory. The final round of the 2005 YMF Loan Australian Superbike Championship will be held at Phillip Island on November 11-13 and if the action of the support races at the Grand Prix is any indication the last round could well provide the most intense action of the year.
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