Queenslanders have the numbers ahead of bumper ASBK showdown
Local riders have boosted a bumper entry list for round five of the QBE Australian Superbike Championships at Queensland Raceway, with 47 of the 125 total entries across all classes coming from the Sunshine State.
The June 3-5 event will see 7 separate classes competing for spoils over the course of 19 races – Superbike, Supersport, Prostock, Superstock, Superlite and S1/S2 Supermoto and 450 Supermoto.
Four Superbike riders can claim home track advantage heading into the event – Team Mack Trucks Suzuki’s Robbie Bugden, iStyle The Natural Aprilia Racing Team’s Ben Attard, Cube Racing’s Ben Henry and DGS Ducati’s Daniel Stauffer.
Brisbane-based Bugden learnt to race a Superbike at the 3.12km circuit and is hoping for a strong showing at home as he nears the end of a lengthy recovery program for a broken leg.
“It’s all looking good for the weekend, I feel like I’m finally back to full strength and have been hitting the gym to make sure I’m completely ready,” said Bugden.
“I haven’t ridden at Queensland Raceway since the round last year but I know it pretty well, it’s a tough lap to get right but rewarding when you are on it.
“Having a few supporters on the sidelines is always a plus too.”
Bugden is placed 8th after four rounds of competition.
Attard, Henry and Stauffer are all based on the Gold Coast and will be doing their best to be the first local rider to greet the chequered flag in Sunday’s pair of 17-lap races.
Emerging talent and runaway Superstock class leader ‘Mad’ Mike Jones is sure to have a strong contingent of supporters on the sidelines this weekend.
So far Jones has managed a rare flawless run of results, scoring every pole position and winning every race contested aboard his Yamaha.
The Underwood-based rider has his head down in search of more wins this weekend at what marks the class’ penultimate round.
He hasn’t been resting on his laurels since the last round in Darwin, travelling to Sepang in Malaysia where he finished an impressive third overall in the Asian Road Race Championship opener.
Queenslanders may have the numbers this weekend but rival riders hold bragging rights when it comes to pace, with all lap record holders residing interstate.
NSW-based rider, Team Honda’s Jamie Stauffer’s benchmark 1:09.145s lap still stands as the best effort at the Ipswich circuit.
A host of on and off-track features will add to the spectacle at Queensland Raceway.
Acclaimed stunt rider and driver Matt Mingay and his team will be on hand to put on a series of unmissable two and four-wheel shows each day.
The ASBK trade alley will showcase a variety of moto products and services including a wide range of new motorcycles as well as hosting autograph sessions with Superbike and Supersport riders on Saturday and Sunday.
