In a much anticipated showdown, the KRT went to Queensland after a successful testing session the week before the Queensland round of the Australian Superbike Championship 2005. “We’re confident going into this race, we know our bikes are fast, we know both riders go well here and we’re hopeful the weather will remain dry to let our riders show their true potential”, said Kawasaki’s National Racing Manager, Murray Sayle.

Superbike
Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike rider Jamie Stauffer immediately showed that Murray was not joking about potential – the young man from Kurri Kurri NSW dominating practice and qualifying.

“I was fastest in every session except for the second qualifier,” said Jamie. “My first qualifying time was really good so we settled on going for a great race set up rather than getting a good qualifying time. The others got a bit closer, but didn’t beat my first qualifying time, so we got the best of both World’s… Pole position and a great race set up.

“The first race was an amazing set of highs then lows. I got a great start and tried to get a big gap on the field… I put my head down and broke the lap record on my first flying lap! Then I settled down to hold a comfortable lead, but the race got red-flagged after 11 laps. If we’d gone on for one extra lap they would have called the race. But it was decided to run a restart for a 5 lap race and go on combined times.

“I got a reasonable start in the second leg and was right there sitting in third place with the two Suzukis just ahead. Then Shawn Giles baulked his team mate Glenn Allerton who ran into me and ran me off the track. I kept it upright and got going again but I was way down the field. I only had four laps to catch up and got through the field but eventually finished 5th on combined time. I was really disappointed – that race was mine for the taking. I can’t blame anyone but myself because it’s me on the bike, so I guess I was disappointed for all our sponsors and the guys in the team who did such a great job.
Putting the disappointment from the first race in the back of his mind for the second, Jamie Stauffer was even more determined than usual to climb onto the top step of the podium.

“Again I got a good start and got into the lead towards the end of the race, overtaking Shawn Giles with eight laps to go. I then just went as fast as I needed to – in fact the tyres were holding up well and I could have gone faster. In the end I went on to win and what a relief it was! I’m very happy to have got this win, but really it should be my third… I ran off the track at Mallala when I was leading and then there was the first race today. Anyway, that’s racing – and we’re going to two races at Phillip Island next. I hold the Superbike lap record there, so I’m really looking forward to the GP support races and the last ASC round. But right now I need a holiday!”

Supersport
KRT teenager Josh Waters enjoyed a very successful weekend on the Ninja ZX-6RR. Practice was used to set up the bike to Josh’s liking, the stop-start nature of the track requiring good balance under both brakes and acceleration. Despite extremely blustery conditions, Josh used his bike to good effect and took provisional pole in the first qualifying session, then went even faster in the second. Unfortunately arch rivals Josh Brookes and Adam Fergusson went slightly faster still leaving Josh on the front row in third.

The first of two Supersport races proved to be a cracker, with the top five bikes all lapping in the 1 minute and 13 second bracket for much of the race. Josh got a great start and lapped on second place for much of the race after sliding under Adam Fergusson in Turn One off the start.

“I thought I could win that one, but this track is really hard on your arms with all the heavy braking. I got arm pump and thought it would be better to settle for second than bin it trying for a win. The bike’s going really well and we’re getting it to turn and grip better.” Said Waters.

The second race was even more exciting with the top four all within reach of each other throughout. Josh again got a great start and led for the for the first lap. Brendan Clark managed to squeeze past on lap two and the front group battled for the remaining laps with the win going to Clarke followed by Waters just 0.3 seconds behind after the front pair broke away a little from third and fourth.

“I struggled a little for rear grip in that race but the bikes are pretty even out there, “ he said. “My ZX-6RR is really fast – so having got second overall here I know we can go one better at Phillip Island where the Kawasaki’s horsepower will be a great help. I love the way the bike’s going now and the tyres are giving me plenty to work with right down to the end of the race. I’m going to do some motocrossing to try and cure the slight problem I’m having with arm pump, but it shouldn’t be as bad at the Island where hard braking is not as important. I’m really looking forward to the GP and the last round of the championship. I’m pretty sure we’ll get a good result at both meetings.”

The Kawasaki Racing Team’s Senior Teams Co-ordinator, Scott Breedin, was also happy with the team’s Superbike and Supersport performance.

“After our test at Qld Raceway late the week before the race, both Jamie and Josh were confident of gaining improved results at the race meeting weekend.” Said Scott.

“We spent a lot of time working on the settings for both the Ninja ZX-6RR and Ninja ZX-10R to improve drive grip and corner entry speed. The testing direction continued on the Friday and Saturday of the race meeting at Queensland Raceway and some positive results where achieved despite the challenging blustery conditions.

Josh had a much improved weekend over Winton and is now showing his full potential to be able to win races, his bike settings are now much more to his liking and he is now able to ride his bike the way he desires.

“Jamie’s also very happy with his bike after the test and was immediately up to speed. Unfortunately due to a red flag incident and a ‘race track coming together’ in the re-start of the first race that forced him off the circuit, he was unable to gain the result he deserved after leading the initial 11 lap part of the 1st race by up to 1.6 seconds. He eventually finished a disappointing 5th on corrected time.

“The second race was much better for Jamie even though there was a red flag stoppage again. He finally broke through for his 1st win of the season in the re-started shortened 14 lap journey.

“Overall the direction we have taken with both bikes proves promising for the remainder of the season and the team will continue to develop our package in this direction with the hope of improving our results at the remaining rounds at Phillip Island. Both Jamie and Josh rode extremely well on the weekend and have finally got a positive return on all their efforts from the first part of the season.”