From a press release issued by Formula Xtreme Promotions:

Event 4, 2003 Yamaha Formula Xtreme TT Series
Queensland Raceway, Queensland
Event Preview #2

QUEENSLAND FORMULA XTREME ROUND WIDE OPEN AS CURTAIN AND STAUFFER ARE RULED OUT DUE TO INJURY

The penultimate round of this year’s Yamaha Formula Xtreme TT Series at Queensland Raceway next weekend (May 31 – June 1), has been thrown wide open to a host of riders who could take overall victory after the news that the leading pair of riders in the series, Nikon Yamaha’s Kevin Curtain and Daniel Stauffer will not be competing at the event due to injury.

The pair were injured in a horrific high-speed accident at Phillip Island last weekend that left Curtain with a collarbone broken in four places and severe bruising and Stauffer with a broken left radius and fractured ankle. Both were hoping that they would be able to front the starter in Queensland, but have been ruled out by their Nikon Yamaha team as the workload for the season increases with a number of race meetings in quick succession.

“I’ve got four breaks in the collarbone and with the way it was broken, the doctors couldn’t plate it, so they’ve done what they could, but unfortunately that has ruled me out for next weekend,” said Curtain. “It’s a blow to how my season has been going, but I suppose on a positive note Daniel (Stauffer) won’t be there either, so that will leave everything nice and close for the final round at Eastern Creek.”

In their absence, the series reaches a new high point as the door is left open for a number of riders to stake their claim on victory, not only for the round, but also set themselves up for a serious series title challenge at the final round at Eastern Creek in July 12 – 13.

Those privateers who are in a position to gain from next weekend include Victorian’s Cameron Donald (Gary O’Brien Yamaha) and Nicholas Barton (SCR Yamaha), New South Wales’ David Butler (Gulf Western Oils Suzuki) and Queenslanders Robert Bugden (Gold Coast Suzuki) and inaugural Formula Xtreme champion Benn Archibald (Aluma-Lite Racing Yamaha) and with a hundred points on offer, the series is setting itself up to be of the most climatic on record.

With Curtain and Stauffer ruled out, the Nikon Yamaha team have enlisted the services of multiple New Zealand champion Tony Rees. He will join Brisbane teenager Brendan Clarke aboard the Nikon Yamaha YZF R1’s and will offer very stiff competition to the locals.

“This is a great opportunity, rather than having to prepare a machine, ship it to Aussie etc, now I just get on a plane and go racing,” said Rees from his Whakatane (New Zealand) base. “I am really looking forward to getting back out there with the top Aussies.”

A similar situation exists in the Supersport class where Curtain has been unstoppable aboard his Nikon Yamaha YZF R6 and has a perfect score of 300 points after 12 consecutive race wins in the class. In his absence, teammate Brendan Clarke could take over the series points lead if he takes a clean sweep of victories and would then lead Curtain by just five points as they head to the final round at the ‘Creek. This may not be that easy a task for Clarke as he himself is recovering from a broken rib and punctured lung that he suffered at the previous round of the series at Winton Raceway in Victoria.

It would also allow Team Kawasaki’s Russell Holland who currently lies third overall to edge much closer as it does for Mark Aitchison who is fourth after a strong season aboard the Brisbane Motorcycles Suzuki GSX-R600. Sydney Yamaha privateer Glen Allerton could be another to keep an eye on after he took out last weekend’s Australian Supersport Championship round honours and is certain to improve on his current seventh place standing.

With the top of the table dramas set to unfold in the Yamaha sponsored Formula Xtreme and Supersport classes there will be action aplenty in the supporting classes.

To add spice to a very packed field of Australian Security Concepts Ultra Lites competitors will be the inclusion of Aluma-Lite Racing’s Ben Attard. The Queenslander will back up his FX duties with a ride on the ex-John Allen Aluma-Lite Racing Aprilia RS 250.

The 250cc Aprilia 2-strokes have proven to be an equal match to the four-cylinder 4-strokes machines in the class, so the battle between Archibald and current points leader Jai Curtis (Caringbah M/C / Staintune / Honda CBR400) and Caleb Stalder (Gold Coast Aprilia and Taree M/C / Aprilia RS250) who holds down second place in the series.

One of the upsets of the season could well be looming as Roland Kruck (Doin’ Bikes Honda SP1) arrives at Willowbank holding a 23 point lead over defending champion Craig McMartin (Ducati Sydney 999s). It’s the first time the Honda has been a head of the field that has been dominated by Ducatis and more recently Aprilias. Honda took series honours in 1997 & 98 when it was formerly known as the Thunderclass, before two years of Suzuki success and then with the name change to FX Pro-Twins, the success of Ducati over the past two seasons.

The early season Aprilia challenge faltered in a major way at the last round at Winton when Shaun Geronimi (Aprilia Racing), Zac Davies (Belray / Australian Security Concepts) and John Allen (Aluma-Lite Racing) each suffered a series of mechanical problems and accidents. This battle is destined to go to the wire.

With 24-races scheduled over the two days, race fans are certain not to be spared any of the close hard fought action that Australia’s best road racers have to offer.



The 2003 Yamaha Formula Xtreme TT Series includes:

– Yamaha Xtreme

– Yamaha Supersport & Superstock

– EXEL Aprilia FX Pro-Twins & B.E.A.R’s F1

– Aluma-Lite Racing Formula Oz, 125/250 GPs & Clubsport 600

– NakedBike, Streetfighter NK Lites, Forgotten Era 2 & 4-Stroke

– Australian Security Concepts Xtreme Ultra Lites

– Formula X Unlimited