Whle his brothers Anthony and Aaron were racing at Road Atlanta last weekend, 17-year-old Alex Gobert was taking the overall win in the Yamaha Xtreme Tri-State Championship race at Queensland Raceway, Queensland, Australia.

The series uses a four-races-on-the-day format, with overall scoring. A release on the race from Steve Reeves follows:


“In a day of high drama, 17-year-old Alex Gobert emerged from the wet conditions as the overall round winner after the third event of the 2001 Yamaha Xtreme Tri-State, held at Queensland Raceway today.

“Gobert, the youngest brother of former World Superbike star Anthony, rode his Red Wing Honda CBR929RR to victory in a rain soaked fourth and final race to clinch the overall win with a total of 66 points. Gobert finished the weekend with a seventh and two thirds, before taking victory in the final race.

“‘The Honda felt really good from the first time we got it out of the truck on Friday and I’ve felt comfortable on it all weekend,’ said Gobert. ‘I was happy that I was able to be consistent throughout the weekend and also be able to finish on the podium. In the final race I thought I was going to crash at the same time as Tony Rees (Bikebiz Yamaha) and Robbie Baird (Radar’s Team Yamaha) did, but fortunately I was able to miss them. From then on I just did consistent laps and kept an eye on my lap boards.’

“Second overall went to another teenager, 18-year-old Craig Coxhell riding for Radar’s Team Yamaha. The Victorian started the day off on a winning note in race one and looked set to repeat that in race two, but unfortunately fell at the final corner when the heavens opened and he had the finish line in sight. He showed his determination by bouncing back to claim second in races three and four.

“Gobert and Coxhell were the major winners in the overall point standings as they were able to make up significant points on the series front runners.

“The weather conditions played a crucial role during the day. Starting out cool and overcast, the weather worsened and as the second Yamaha Formula Xtreme race was nearing a conclusion, just prior to lunch, rain fell with a vengeance.

“The torrential downpour forced race officials to reduce the number of laps in each of the remaining races after all competitors were allowed a `free’ practice session to assess the track conditions.

“Both third and fourth Yamaha Formula Xtreme races were held in wet conditions. New Zealander Tony Rees showed his liking for the wet, by taking out race three by a comfortable margin over Coxhell, with Gobert third. The fourth race shaped up as a battle between Rees and local favorite Baird, but this challenge came unstuck as first Rees and then Baird locked the front brakes on their Yamahas and slid off the end of the fast back straight at Turn Three. This left Gobert clear and unchallenged to take his first race win.

“Earlier in the day Coxhell showed his determination by out-muscling Baird on the final lap of the opening race to take his first win of the season. The teammates had been running neck and neck during the final laps with neither
willing to give an inch. Race two looked to be a repeat of the opener until Baird broke his gear lever after hitting the curb on the inside of Turn Four with two laps to run. This left Coxhell with a comfortable lead. His race turned sour at the final corner when he accelerated out of the final turn and the rear end let go and he was highsided off the Yamaha. Rees claimed
an unexpected victory.

“With only the Phillip Island and Eastern Creek meetings to go, Jamie Stauffer still leads the 2001 Yamaha Xtreme Tri-State with 196 points, two clear of teammate Baird. Rees lies third with 176, followed by Coxhell (175), Damian Cudlin (Bikebiz Yamaha, 133) and Gobert (121).

“The fourth and penultimate event of the 2001 Yamaha Xtreme Tri-State will be held at Phillip Island on June 16 & 17.

“2001 Yamaha Xtreme Tri-State points after 2 of 5 events.
1. Jamie Stauffer (Radar’s Team Yamaha YZF R1) 196
2. Robbie Baird (Radar’s Team Yamaha YZF-R1) 194
3. Tony Rees (Bikebiz Yamaha YZF-R1) 176
4. Craig Coxhell (Radar’s Team Yamaha YZF-R1) 175
5. Damian Cudlin (Bikebiz Yamaha YZF-R1) 133
6. Alex Gobert (Red Wing Honda CBR929RR) 121
7. Graeme Morris (Graeme Morris M/C Suzuki GSX-R 1000) 81
8. Luke Phillips (Optus World Honda CBR929RR) 80
9. Kurt Percy (Thomson Finance Yamaha YZF-R1) 73
10. Roland Kruck (Doin Bikes Honda CBR929RR) 58″