Allen, Attard & Aluma-lite make Aussie Superbike debut this weekend
The Aluma-lite Racing team is primed and ready to commence its assault on the 2010 Australian Superbike Championship with the title battle to start in front of an international audience alongside the opening round of the Superbike World Championship at the world’s best motor racing circuit at Phillip Island at the end of the month (February 26-28) The Aluma-lite team is making a two-pronged attack on this year’s titles with the team boasting two of the most determined riders in Australian racing. John Allen will compete in the premier Superbike class aboard a Troy Bayliss replica Ducati 1098R while his teammate Ben Attard will be right in amongst the battle for championship honours in the Australian Superstock 1000cc Championship heading into battle on the Aluma-lite Ducati 1198S.
The return to the top echelon of Australian road racing after a five year absence will no doubt prove popular among the myriad of Aluma-lite fans and will sure to attract many more with the anticipated performance of the team with Aluma-lite Team Owner and manager Derek Williams saying, “It feel like a homecoming in a way as the Aluma-lite Team has been away from the Australian Superbike Championships for too long. Everybody involved is really looking forward to the racing especially as it is alongside the world’s best so we are all keen to put on a good show and give the factory boys a bit of a hurry up!. I’d also like to thank all our sponsors as without their involvement none of this would be possible so hopefully we can get a few good points for them.”
The enthusiasm for a return to the premier class of road racing is echoed by lead rider John Allen whio is no stranger to V-twins having won three Australian Harley Sportster titles as well as two national BEARS titles, “these Ducatis are awesome to ride and quite easy really. I’ve been comfortable on the 1098R from the get go so it will be interesting to see if we can take a few points away from some of the more fancied rivals as I don’t think anyone has rated us. The team has been more focused on making Ben comfortable on the bike as he has a bit to get used to after jumping off the 600cc four cylinder and now on a big V-twin but he has adapted really well so I expect he will be right at the front of the Superstock class.”
Ben is equally enthused and raring to go after also taking part in recent tests and coming to grips with a V-twin motorbike, “I’m surprised how well I have adapted to the bike as I thought it would take a bit more time to get used to the bigger V-twin but it is pretty easy to ride fast and get the most out of it. The team has a lot to do with it as well as we all get along together. We have had a few tests on the bike and the times are very competitive so it has given us all a lot of confidence for what lies ahead for the season. I just wish it would hurry up and get here because I can’t wait!”
