Nikon Yamaha Previews This Weekend’s Australian Superbike Event At Wanneroo

Nikon Yamaha Previews This Weekend’s Australian Superbike Event At Wanneroo

© 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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From a press release issued by Nikon Yamaha:

Nikon Yamaha Factory Race Team

Set For Western Showdown


The 2004 Shell Advance Australian Superbike Championship is at the season’s halfway stage with the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team making the long trek across the Nullarbor to contest this weekend’s fourth round of the title chase at Barbagello Raceway, at Wanneroo, north of Perth.

It’s an intense and critical time for the team because the fifth round at Mallala, South Australia, is just a week later and the next two rounds could well determine the outcome of the seven-round championship.

Due to the back-to-back nature of the two events, the team has to be fully prepared with the bikes, sufficient spares and tyres transported over in the Nikon Yamaha semi trailer.

Disregarding the logistics, the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team is in buoyant mood as they are back to full strength with lead rider, Daniel Stauffer, returning to the battle after missing the previous round at Winton due to injuries he suffered during testing before that particular event.

Stauffer broke his collarbone and required surgery to have it pinned but has undertaken an intense training program during his recovery to full fitness and is chomping at the bit to take his place in the field.

After sitting on the sidelines the points gap to the series leaders has increased as he has dropped to eighth spot. Although it is a tall order to peg back the leaders adversity seems to bring out the best in riders and in racing anything can happen on the day.

The enforced lay off has given him plenty of time to think but this has steeled Stauffer to be more resolute in aiming to claim more race wins and regain the form that he displayed at the first round when he dominated – and won – the opening two races of the year aboard the all-new ‘04 Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike.

Stauffer’s Superbike team mate, Shannon Johnson, will be just as determined to be at the sharp end and improve on his recent performances that has seen the Victorian score podium finishes at the previous two rounds.

Shannon, the 2003 Australian Supersport champion, has settled into his new team adjusting to a bike and tyres he had never experienced before this year. At this meeting he is bound to show his full potential to be right in the thick of the action, aiming to improve his place in the title chase as he currently sits in fifth position and is well placed to move up the points table with strong results.

With the field returning to the west after a three-year absence from the Australian Championship calendar and combined with the recently resurfaced circuit, it guarantees a very level playing field that’s bound to produce dynamic battles below current lap record times.

In these circumstances the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team will be anticipating to take every advantage of the situation.

The new R1’s started the year standard except for an improved exhaust system but at each meeting subtle improvements have been made to the engine and handling. Also, new and improved Dunlop tyres have become available, these three factors ensuring that the characteristics of the bikes have changed at every outing.

The riders and the crew have overcome all the adjustments required and are now fully accustomed with the new YZF-R1 rockets so confidence is high. Plus, with head mechanic, Kevin Marshal, tirelessly working his magic behind the scenes there is no doubt the blue Nikon Yamaha R1’s will be leading the way around the fast and flowing layout

Although it’s important to have top speed at Wanneroo, chassis setup is paramount as, besides fast sweepers, there are two corners that require heavy braking but Stauffer and Johnson both know it’s a riders track and this will add to their determination in extracting the best from their R1 Superbikes.

The Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team is also contesting the ultra- competitive Australian 600c Supersport Championship with Brendan Clarke in his second year with the team.

2004 has been a struggle for the talented Queenslander but he has not been idle waiting for the results to happen. Since Winton Brendan has also undertaken a rigorous training regime in an effort to regain the form that has him as the youngest rider to score points in a 500cc Grand Prix.

Clarke has performed well in the past at the Western Australian circuit and will be using this as impetus to kick start his quest to regain his form that saw him set circuit lap records as well as keeping his old team mate Kevin Curtain honest during 2003.

2004 Shell Advance Australian Superbike Championships after three (of seven) rounds:

1 A Fergusson (Honda) 132pts; 2 J Brookes (Honda) 123; 3 S Giles (Suzuki) 104; 4 J Stauffer (Kawasaki) 97; 5 Shannon Johnson (Nikon Yamaha YZF-R1) 83; 8 Daniel Stauffer (Nikon Yamaha YZF-R1) 61

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