From a press release issued by Nikon Yamaha:

Home Ground Advantage For Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team

The sixth round of the 2004 Shell Advance Australian Superbike Championship descends on Queensland Raceway at Willowbank this weekend (August 13-15). It’s shaping as make or break for the series leader with the meeting doubling as the home event for the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team that is based on the Gold Coast.

Currently, both Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team riders, Shannon Johnson and Daniel Stauffer sit in second and fourth positions respectively in the championship chase, the duo determined to increase the team win rate and hope to improve on their performance from the previous round when Johnson won his first Superbike race and both shared a spot on the podium.

Although, on paper, the layout of the track looks pretty straightforward with five straights it’s anything but a walk in the park. Queensland Raceway is notoriously hard on riders and particularly their machines and tyres.

They are either accelerating extremely hard or trying desperately to wash of speed for the critical turns to pull up the awesome Nikon Yamaha YZF-R1’s.

Setup is super critical as the machines are under extreme stress at both ends of the scale but the team is confident that they have the package to take advantage of the nuances of the Queensland track with the expert technicians sure to create a little magic at the meeting.

Long term Nikon Yamaha rider Daniel Stauffer is fully recovered from his shoulder injury and buoyed by his very impressive performance in the most prestigious endurance race in the world at the Suzuka 8-hour on a Yamaha R1 two weeks ago will be keen to return to the winners circle to add to his three wins this year.

Keeping him on his toes will be Johnson who now has the monkey off his back after winning his first Superbike race and backed it up with further top three finishes at the previous round held at Mallala in South Australia

In his first full year on a Superbike, Shannon has definitely found his feet and is now right at home aboard the potent Nikon Yamaha YZF-R1. At the recent unofficial Superbike test at the circuit Shannon was the fastest rider so will naturally be keen to maintain his superiority.

Shannon is confident he can pull back some points in the title race and both riders are determined to ensure that the championship goes to the wire at the final round at Phillip Island next month as there are 152 points are up for grabs over the two rounds.

Riders don’t need any incentive to win but, this weekend Shannon can consolidate and improve on his second place while Daniel can move into third spot overall if the cards are dealt their way guaranteeing that both will not be satisfied with anything but victory.

Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager put the team’s chances in perspective saying , “it is a tall order to bridge the gap but it can be done and we have the riders and team that can do it. Obviously I want both Shannon and Daniel to grab a few more wins but after so many years involved in racing the only thing that I have come to expect is the unexpected and events of this year have proved that theory yet again.”

In the Supersport class, Brendan Clarke is aiming to put in a superlative effort at his home track. The Brisbane teenage holds the Supersport lap record at Queensland Raceway and will not be giving it up without a fight.

Like his teammate, Shannon, on the Superbikes, Brendan was the quickest rider in the Supersport class during the practice session with other teams that and is keen to use that as a springboard to a return to form that he has demonstrated many times in the past.

2004 Shell Advance Australian Superbike Championships after five (of seven) rounds:
1 A Fergusson (Honda) 285pts; 2 Shannon Johnson (Nikon Yamaha YZF-R1) 197; 3 S Giles (Suzuki) 193; 4 Daniel Stauffer (Nikon Yamaha YZF-R1) 150. 5 J Brookes (Honda) 139.