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2006 Australian Superbike
Championship (YMF Loan) - Round Four - Queensland Raceway July 9th, 2006 |
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2006 Australian Superbike
Championship (YMF Loan) - Round Four - Queensland Raceway July 9th, 2006 |
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Team Report - Coastline BMW
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| Three strong podium
results were the highlight of the weekend’s racing as Team
Coastline BMW maintained its strong showing in this year’s
Australian NakedBike Championship. Now ranked second overall in the manufacturers title chase, the Team has also strengthened its third place standing in the riders’ championship, following the fourth round of the series at Queensland Raceway. Former World 500cc GP and Australian Superbike competitor Mark Willis filled in for the injured Graeme Wilshaw with great effect, emerging with third place overall for the round. The 30-year-old Tamworth rider has been away from the sport in recent seasons, but was quick to come to grips with the technically advanced BMW K 1200 R. He qualified with the fourth fastest time earning a front row grid position before posting a fourth and two thirds for a sensational debut. “First of all it was great to have received the invitation from the team to ride for them to replace Graeme for the round,” said Willis. “It’s been about four years since I competed in a national road race event and it was also my first race here at this circuit. “I’d be more than happy to ride for them again. “My first impressions with the BMW K 1200 R is that it may enjoy a more flowing circuit, rather than a stop start layout such as Queensland Raceway, but I guess that would all come with more time on the bike and learning its unique chassis setup. There are areas where I can see that it could be improved with the setup, but that takes time and a few test sessions. “I was happy that each time we ventured out onto the circuit I was quicker than previous and that’s always a good thing.” While Willis was enjoying a memorable debut with the team, Stuart Fripp continued to build on his third place in the championship, getting off to a great start by taking third in the opening race and then consolidating his points with a fifth and fourth, to finish the round fourth overall and third in the series. “Generally the weekend has been fantastic for us. Queensland definitely laid the good weather on for us and it was great to have our major supporters Coastline BMW here with a large contingent of their customers and associates,” said Fripp. “They really enjoyed the racing experience. “ “It was a good weekend for our position on the points table as well as I was able to further consolidate my third place in the riders championship, which is a great result for the team. There is still room for improvement and we know we can get closer with a bit more preparation.” BMW Motorrad National Sales & Marketing Manager Cameron Cuthill was in attendance at the round, playing a hands on role with the team while enjoying the atmosphere of the event. “Team Coastline BMW had a great weekend up here at Queensland Raceway and it was all the more pleasing to be here in front of the team’s prime sponsor Coastline BMW,” said Cuthill. “We were grateful to have Mark Willis join us for the round and he put in a great effort taking fourth in his first race, followed by a pair of thirds which gave him third overall for the round, plus Stuart continued his consistent string of finishes. “Their results combined also elevated BMW to second overall on the Manufacturers’ Championship which is another great result for what is a small team in its early stages. “All in all it was a great weekend for us and we thoroughly enjoyed having in excess of 40 Coastline BMW customers and staff here for the event. It was the first time that they had seen their bikes in action, so that we thrilled with the results.” After a lengthy absence from the series, Tasmania’s Symmons Plains returns to the calendar and will host the fifth round of competition on September 9-10. Riders’ Point Score after 4 of 7 rounds 1. J Cartwright (279); 2. S Rattenbury (249); 3. S Fripp (204); 4. J Van Rooyen (193); 5. J Collins (165); 6. B Middleton (157). Manufacturers’ Point Score after 4 of 7 rounds 1. Yamaha (824); 2. BMW (307); 3. Honda (295) 4. Aprilia (254). |
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2006 Australian Superbike Championship (YMF Loan) - Round Four - Queensland Raceway |
