MCNEWS.COM.AU - The ultimate in motorcycle news YMF Australian Superbike 2005 - Round Five - Winton Motor Raceway
Team Report - Kawasaki
August 23rd, 2005

 MCNEWS.COM.AU - The ultimate in motorcycle news

Despite some promising testing at the Victorian circuit, the KRT Superbike and Supersport riders had a torrid time at Winton.

Superbike
Jamie Stauffer enjoyed success in the wet practice sessions and was confident of good wet-weather results. “We’ve got the bike well and truly sorted and know where we’re going in the wet,” he said. “The tyres are good when it’s really wet and I’m getting over a dose of the ‘flu so I’m feeling better.”

The qualifying sessions were both dry and Jamie was third fastest after session one but unfortunately dropped to eighth fastest in session two, his ZX-10R proving to be a bit too potent for the tight turns of the Victorian track.

“Jamie tried a more powerful engine setting on Saturday than we had previously used which caused a few unexpected chassis problems which proved difficult to overcome.” Said senior teams co-ordinator Scott Breedin. “This resulted in his lower than expected result in qualifying.”

During the first race, Jamie was blocked in going into the first turn and pushed way back to 13th. He made steady progress through the field in the dry but then the rain came again and he was forced to slow down, dropping back to 10th. “That was hard work – they should really have stopped it a couple of laps before they did,” said Stauffer.

“The second race was better – I used the spare bike with its milder power delivery and found it easier to manage around here. My grid spot had a puddle through it and it’s hard to get a good start on slicks in a puddle! Really the stewards should be more flexible for safety’s sake on issues like that. I also ran onto the ripple strips alongside the pits and the paint plus the wet patches in the strips nearly had me off! But I survived and forced my way up to fifth – not the best weekend of racing for us but points are important and it’s tight at the top of the table.

“I’m really looking forward to Queensland Raceway as the track there suits our bike and we can use the “big” engine.”

Team boss Scott Breedin added, “Unfortunately once Jamie had qualified back in 8th the remainder of the weekend’s racing was always going to be difficult. The conditions on Sunday proved difficult for all to manage. We’re confident that the worst is behind us and we’re going to Queensland in a very strong position.”

Supersport
Josh Waters went out into the first practice session with some old wet weather tyres for his first ride on a ZX-6RR in the wet. “I was fourth or fifth fastest in that session and we’re going to put some new wets on for the second practice,” said the youngster from Mildura. After getting third fastest in the second session Josh was confident for a good result in the wet. Saturday was drier with qualifying proving to be a mixture of wet and drying track conditions. “We’re trying a lot of new chassis and suspension settings and really this is a test for us. The new settings were proving promising until we had interruptions from the weather that put a halt to the development.” Said Scott Breedin.

Josh was reflective after the weekend’s racing. “I eventually qualified way back in 11th and it’s really disappointing for me. It’s the first time I haven’t been on either the first or second rows this season.

“We gambled with a big set-up change after qualifying, then it got wet again. I saw a big black cloud and selected to go with wet tyres for the first race even though it was drying. I just thought that cloud might make it rain again and I’d have a good chance on wets. It was my mistake – the track stayed dry and I had to pull in as I fried the tyres. I’ve learned a lot from it and hopefully won’t make that mistake again!” Said Josh.

“The second race was also wet, but this time it was wetter. I got a good start and found myself in third. Then it started to dry out and the guys on road tyres came past me forcing me back to 9th. I’m disappointed with myself but I like the track at Queensland and went well there last year so I’m looking forward to it.”

“We are quite confident with the direction the team is heading in as Josh felt very comfortable and had a realistic chance of podium finish in the second 600 race had the track remained wet. Unfortunately this was not the case and his tyres quickly overheated with the resulting slowing in lap time.” Said Scott Breedin. “We’re in fifth place in this Supersport championship and we know the bike is fast and Josh likes Queensland Raceway – I feel we can get podiums there and improve our overall position.”
 
 

2005 Australian Superbike Championship
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