USGPRU West Round 2 Beaubier and Reiswig Take Reno by Storm Odenton, MD. The 2nd round of the USGPRU’s West Coast Region stormed into Fernley, Nevada with a winter storm on their heels. The gorgeous white-capped mountains provided the perfect setting for a western showdown. On Saturday during 125 qualifying, Tyler Reiswig continued his early season dominance by taking pole and setting the 125cc lap record with a 2:40:035. Jon Schendel qualified second posting a 2:41:403 and Kid’s:Don’t Smoke!/Roadracingworld.com’s 12-year-old rider Elena Myers took the final front row spot with a 2:45.136. Young gun Cameron Beaubier suffered mechanical issues and ended up last on the grid. In 250cc qualifying Ryan Ferris 2:38:171 overcame earlier mechanical issues to take pole. Reiswig turned a last lap time 2:38:197 after coming in to grab a new transmitter and at 2:40:639 Jon Schendel aboard a Honda RS125 completed the front row. In the 125cc GP race, the hole shot was taken by Reiswig. Beaubier got a killer start and by the start of the second lap, he was hot on the heels of Reiswig. The 13-year-old Beaubier tried to break 16-year-old Reiswig as each set a new lap record at least twice. Reiswig looked to be stalking the younger rider and setting him up for a last lap pass. Unfortunately for Reiswig, a mechanical issue on the last lap prevented him from a podium finish. Kid’s: Don’t Smoke!/Roadracingworld.com’s Elena Myers was able to capitalize on Reiswig’s bad fortune and grab the final podium spot. Perennial favorite Jon Schendel unfortunately mounted a Bridgestone Superbike tire instead of a rear 125cc slick and never got to challenge for the lead. Beaubier would walk away with a new 125cc GP lap record of 2:36:097. In an effort not to repeat Phoenix, Reiswig took the holeshot and opened up a convincing lead in the 250cc GP event. This time he kept on the gas for all 9 laps to take a decisive victory and set a new lap record of 2:36:017. Ryan Ferris, who dealt with tire balancing issues, overcame a poor start to take second and Cameron Beaubier would again find the podium aboard his Honda RS125. The battle of the race was between Jon Schendel aboard his Roland Cushway tuned RS 125 and Kid’s: Don’t Smoke!/Roadracingworld.com’s Elena Myers aboard her CN Racing tuned Honda. Early on it looked like Myers had an insurmountable lead for Schendel to challenge, but down the front straight Schendel effectively used the draft to make a pass during lap 5. The two battled through lapped traffic and Schendel was able to use his experience to take 5th. Jorge Artola decided that the 9 lap race was too easy so he gave himself a 30-second penalty and added a 50-yard dash to the start of the race to bump-start his RS250 and catch the field. The USGPRU would like to thank Chris Keane and Zoom Zoom Trackdays for hosting this spectacular event and Reno-Fernley Raceway for the awesome racetrack! For more information about the USGPRU please visit www.usgpru.net. The next West Coast round is at Portland International Raceway on May 20th. 125cc GP Results 1. Cameron Beaubier (Hon RS125) 2. Elena Meyers (Hon RS125) 3. Jon Schendel (Hon RS125) 4. Kyle Ferris (Hon RS125) 5. Marcus Henderson (Hon RS125) 6. Debra Kuick (Hon RS125) 7. Phill Krenn (Hon RS125) 8. Ryan Cory (Hon RS125) 9. Rob Tatom (Hon RS125) 10. Bruce Lind (Yam TZ125) 11. Mike McDonough (Hon RS125) 12. Britt Arechiga (Hon RS125) 13. Matthew Elder (Hon RS125) 14. Brian Heess (Hon RS125) 15. John Fosgate (Yam TZ125) 16. Shellie Matthews (Hon RS125) 17. Elaine Ou (Hon RS125) 18. Kevin Murray (Yam TZ125) 19. Trina Turner (Hon RS125) 20. Tyler Reiswig (Hon RS125) 21. Rolando Quintaro (Hon RS125) DNS 22. Joel Manes (Hon RS125) DNS 23. Don Roberts (Hon RTS125) DNS 250cc GP Results 1. Tyler Reiswig (Hon RS250) 2. Ryan Ferris (Hon RS250) 3. Cameron Beaubier (Hon RS125) 4. Vince Rolleri (Yam TZ250) 5. Jon Schendel (Hon RS125) 6. Elena Myers (Hon RS125) 7. Bruce Lind (Yam TZ250) 8. Kyle Ferris (Hon RS125) 9. Kory Gill (Hon RS250) 10. Derek Dutt (Yam TZ250) 11. Phill Krenn (Hon RS125) 12. Jesus Amezcua (Hon RS250) 13. Matthew Elder (Hon RS125) 14. Randy Miller (Hon RS125) 15. John Fosgate (Yam TZ250) 16. David Matthews (Hon RS125) 17. Jorge Artola (Hon RS250) 18. Mike Lytle (Yam TZ250) 19. Dan Qualtire (Hon RS250) 20. Kevin Miyata (Hon RS250)

SUZUKI SUPERBIKE CHALLENGE TO INCLUDE SHOW STOPPING VENDOR DISPLAY AREA Race Fans Have Several Entertainment Options During AMA Superbike Weekend at California Speedway The California Speedway today announced a 280,000 sq. ft. vendor display area, tied with last year’s for the largest ever in the five-year history of the event, for the AMA Suzuki Superbike Challenge taking place at the Southern California motorsports facility on April 28-30. The gigantic area, located in the infield, will be filled with an assortment of major manufacturer’s displays, food & beverage courts, live music and an extreme half pipe stunt show. Many major motorcycle manufacturers will be at the vendor display area showcasing the latest and greatest bikes, gear and equipment for race fans to view and purchase. Some manufacturers, including Aprilia and Yamaha, will be offering demo rides on their latest models, while others, such as Suzuki, will be offering a hospitality tent with special parking for all Suzuki owners who ride their Suzuki motorcycle to the event behind their display (based on availability). Many of the riders are expected to sign autographs at their manufacturer/sponsor’s display at some point during the weekend. A stage will be set up within the vendor display area where live bands will perform throughout the Suzuki Superbike Challenge weekend; including Gia’s Fix on Saturday and Creature of Mercy on Sunday. On the other side, a live half pipe stunt show will take place, featuring some of the top pro BMX bikers, skateboarders and in-line skaters around. The 2006 vendor display area is sure to have something for everyone, and when you combine it with the great Superbike and Supermoto racing, the Suzuki Superbike Challenge is an experience you will not want to miss. Tickets for this weekend start at $10 for Friday and $30 for Saturday or Sunday, plus two different multi-day packages, and Cycle Club hospitality options. Make sure you are at California Speedway for the 2006 Suzuki Superbike Challenge on April 28-30.

Racer Nicky Moore caught his left thumb in the countershaft sprocket on his Yamaha YZF-R6 during a WERA West race on the Classic Course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Classic Sunday. According to a race official, Moore reached down when he encountered a problem with his bike’s shifter. His glove was sucked into the uncovered countershaft sprocket and about 1-inch of his left thumb was severed. Moore had been banned from Saturday afternoon practice following an altercation with Chris Siglin at the exit of pit lane. Siglin said afterwards that he pulled up next to Moore following an intentional on-track punt that left his front brake lever bent outwards, flipped up his visor and asked Moore about the incident. In reply, Siglin said, Moore hit Siglin hard enough to knock him off his bike; Siglin said he then jumped up and tackled Moore off his bike and that the pair wrestled on the ground. Moore said that he unintentionally hit Siglin when Siglin suddenly slowed as if he had missed a shift, and that Siglin then followed him (Moore) into his pit, T-boned Moore’s bike, knocked Moore over and threw his (Siglin’s) bike on top of him. “Siglin T-boned me in the pit,” said Moore, who also said that Siglin had kicked at him on track and tried to ram him on track following the collision. “He came at me first. He rode his bike straight into my bike.” “That’s a blatent lie,” said Siglin. “I pulled up next to him at the exit from pit lane, next to the bathrooms there. All I did was flip my shield up and ask him WTF. He threw a right cross hard enough to knock me off my bike, and then I got up and tackled him and we kind of rolled around on the ground. While I was on top of him somebody was kicking me in the head.” Officials intervened and banned both riders from Saturday afternoon practice and at first also banned them from Sunday’s races. Both riders appealed and due to conflicting stories (from both the participants and from witnesses) of what actually happened, both were allowed to race on Sunday. Siglin said he suffered a broken finger in the melee. Moore said he would be consulting with a specialist for treatment of his severed thumb and hoped to be able to compete in the AMA National at Barber April 21-23; the severed piece could not be re-attached. Moore said he was not sure why the countershaft cover was not installed on his motorcycle. “We usually have that on,” he said. According to legal experts, the standard liability releases signed by racers do not cover intentional acts.

By Beth Dolgner Robert Jensen was the top rider during the WERA/Michelin National Challenge Series sprint races at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway on Sunday, ending the day as the only Expert rider to earn multiple wins in the 12-lap races. Jensen started the day with a win in Open Superstock on his Butler Machinery Suzuki GSX-R1000, beating Vesrah Suzuki’s Lee Acree by 2.660 seconds. Acree’s teammate Tray Batey held off Ben Thompson to finish third. Acree, Batey and Thompson were all riding Suzuki GSX-R1000s. The 600cc Superstock race proved to be tougher for Jensen, who crossed the finish line only 0.069-second ahead of Acree. The two riders pulled away from the rest of the field, leaving Brian Gibbs to circulate by himself in third. All three were on Suzuki GSX-R600s. Jensen seemed to have the 750cc Superstock race wrapped up, after taking the lead from Acree on lap 11. But after taking the white flag, Jensen low-sided in the high-speed sweeper turn on the back straight. The lead went to Acree on his Suzuki GSX-R600. Mark Junge was nearly two seconds behind on his Vesrah Suzuki GSX-R750, while Daniel Parkerson was another 13 seconds back on a Suzuki GSX-R600. Formula 1 was the final race of the day, and it belonged solely to Ben Thompson and his Suzuki GSX-R1000. Thompson took the lead at the start and immediately pulled away, leaving Jensen, Batey and Acree to battle for second. Acree finally got past Jensen and Batey and gave chase on his Suzuki GSX-R1000. Acree closed the gap on Thompson, but was never able to get past. Jensen finished third on his Suzuki GSX-R1000. Garrett Carter took the 600cc Superbike lead away from Parkerson on lap 10, going on to win by almost one second on his Yamaha YZF-R6. Parkerson, on a Suzuki GSX-R600, pulled away from Keith Marshall, who was also riding a Suzuki GSX-R600. Marshall found himself at the front in his next race, 750cc Superbike. Justin Marm led most of the race before high-siding in turn three on lap nine. Marshall inherited the lead on his Team Embry Suzuki GSX-R600, and he crossed the finish line about five seconds ahead of Andrew Nelson on a Yamaha YZF-R6. Tony Palarie followed on a Suzuki GSX-R600. Tray Batey got back to his old ways in Heavyweight Twins Superstock, pulling away from Taylor Knapp to win by 8.895 seconds. Cale Swiger followed in third. All three were on Suzuki SV1000s. Brian Suffridge and Jeff Walker battled early in Lightweight Twins Superstock, but Suffridge got past on lap two and never relinquished the lead. The two pulled away from a battle for third, which went to Steve Green. All three were on Suzuki SV650s. Walker later won the Formula 2 race, again on his Suzuki SV650. Green gained a position, running alone in second, while Tim Birdsong trailed in third. Green and Birdsong were also on Suzuki SV650s.

During AMA team testing Saturday at Miller Motorsports Park (MMP), riders complimented the fast, new racetrack but also said the racing surface was dirty. Eager to appease the AMA race teams and riders, MMP staff stayed at the facility until 1:30 a.m. local time pressure washing the track surface with water trucks and street sweepers. The plan backfired, however, as many riders felt the track was dirtier Sunday than Saturday, leading to an early end to the test for some riders and teams. “It wasn’t really good,” Kawasaki’s Roger Hayden said of the MMP racing surface. “I feel really bad for Dan (Solomon, MMP Director of Motorcycle Operations) and the guys here at the track because they are really busting their butts to make the track perfect for us. They stayed up all night washing the track. They thought they were doing something good, but it just wasn’t good. I couldn’t even put my knee down. It was just really slick. It was almost like riding in rain on intermediates kind of feeling.” “You see this parking lot here? That’s exactly what the track’s like,” said Yamaha/Graves Yamaha rider Jamie Hacking, pointing to the dirty paddock parking area. “The one really tight right-hand corner on the infield that brings you back this way, yesterday it was good. Now, it’s so muddy. It looks like a damn motocross track.” Due to the poor track conditions and an upcoming test scheduled at MMP in May, the Yamaha/Graves Yamaha team decided to stop testing at lunch time. “The track surface, right now, is pretty dirty,” said Yamaha Team Manager Tom Halverson, when asked why his team was leaving early. “They made a great effort last night to clean some of the dirt off the track, (but) that actually made it worse. It put some dirt on the bike line that wasn’t there yesterday. So it’s a little bit hard for the guys to go out there and do lap times that we would need to do any kind of set up on the bike and make any improvements. We’ve got to load the truck up at the end of this week to go to two races, at Barber and Cal Speedway, so we’re probably going to be safe, pack it in and call it a day.” “The track’s dirty, (but) it’s not even worth talking about,” said Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin, the six-time and defending AMA Superbike Champion. “The bottom line is this is a new racetrack and it needs time, it needs work, it needs people to ride and drive (on it) and it will become better. That’s all it is. It needs time, and it needs people going around the racetrack, more than the few that are here.” Mladin was one of the few riders who continued riding after the lunch break, during which MMP staff circulated the 3.06-mile, 15-turn road course with safety vehicles and race-prepared Ford Mustangs from their in-house driving school in an attempt to further clean off the racing line. Mladin and Kawasaki’s Tommy Hayden, who also rode after the lunch break, both reported the extra clean-up efforts did not improve the track. Mladin stopped riding after a handful of laps, but Tommy Hayden did several stints on his ZX-10R Superbike Sunday afternoon. Some of the men who chose to continue riding after the lunch break Sunday did so in order to get familiar with a modified version of the final corner. In an attempt to prevent riders from crashing into an Airfence Bike-protected Armco barrier at the exit of the corner, orange traffic cones were placed at the apex of the final corner to slow mid-corner speed, force riders to finish the corner earlier and, in theory, pass the wall area more straight up and down and more in control. Riders had mixed reviews about the modification, but AMA Pro Racing Superbike Series Manager Ron Barrick said the May test at MMP would start with the last-corner modification in place. Sunday Morning Test Times (as provided by AMA Pro Racing timing & scoring): 1. Jake Zemke (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:57.44 Superbike* 2. Tommy Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), 2:00.240 Superbike 3. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-6RR), 2:00.592 Supersport 4. Roger Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), 2:00.668 Superbike 5. Jason DiSalvo (Yam YZF-R1 LE), 2:02.109 Superstock 6. Cory West (Suz GSX-R1000), 2:02.292 Superstock 7. Ben Attard (Kaw ZX-6RR), 2:04.925 Supersport 8. Marty Craggill (Suz GSX-R1000), 2:06.145 Superstock 9. Eric Bostrom (Yam YZF-R6), 2:07.289 Formula Xtreme 10. Damon Buckmaster (Kaw ZX-6RR), 2:08.934 Supersport 11. C.R. Gittere (Suz GSX-R1000), 2:14.899 Superstock 12. Jamie Hacking (Yam YZF-R6), 2:16.454 Supersport Sunday Afternoon Test Times (as provided by AMA Pro Racing timing & scoring): 1. Tommy Hayden (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:56.534 Superbike 2. Miguel Duhamel (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:57.52 Superbike* 3. Larry Pegram (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:59.507 Superstock 4. Mat Mladin (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:59.747 Superbike 5. Cory West (Suz GSX-R1000), 2:00.263 Superstock 6. Ryan Elleby (Hon CBR600RR), 2:04.737 Supersport 7. C.R. Gittere (Suz GSX-R1000), 2:06.259 Superstock * Times provided by Crew Chief due to bike not having electronic scoring transponder.

WORK CONTINUES FOR CAMEL YAMAHA TEAM IN DOHA Following Valentino Rossi’s hard-fought victory in yesterday’s Grand Prix of Qatar, the Italian was back out on track today alongside his Camel Yamaha team-mate Colin Edwards for a one-day test today. Despite Rossi’s win, the team still saw remnants of their vibration problem arise during the weekend and today’s test was aimed once again at working to understand and finally eliminate this problem from the 2006 YZR-M1. As at the last one-day test in Jerez, Valentino Rossi completed a few laps on the 2005 M1 in order to compare its performance with the current bike and gather more information. Besides this Rossi and Edwards, who completed 58 and 66 laps respectively, spent the day trying out various different settings and both riders made some encouraging improvements with some consistently fast lap times. Just a small group of MotoGP riders stayed on to test alongside the Yamaha riders and the fastest unofficial lap was set by Marco Melandri (Honda) in a time of 1’55.95. Rossi was second quickest with a lap of 1’56.25 and Edwards third in a time of 1’56.35. The MotoGP paddock now has a two and a half week break before the third Grand Prix of the season in Istanbul commences on April 28th. DAVIDE BRIVIO CAMEL YAMAHA TEAM DIRECTOR “It’s always quite hard to get up early and go testing the morning after a victory, but today was really important for us and the riders; the whole team has worked hard all day and made the most of the time we had available. In truth we still haven’t completely solved our problem, but we’ve been able to gather a lot more important information and now we have to use this in the best possible way between now and Istanbul. We’ve definitely made some big improvements today, for both riders. We’ve tried many different settings which have made the problem much less critical, allowing the riders to ride the bike at a better level. Valentino was obviously able to win yesterday and in the race the problems virtually disappeared, but we knew that they were still there and today we managed to make some good steps forward. Colin had a difficult race and this test has been really important for him; he’s finished the day in a much better situation. “Valentino once again tested the 2005 bike so we could make some comparisons. We know that with this bike the situation is different and we don’t have vibration, but we also know that the 2006 bike is better in most other ways and has more potential. We also tested a qualifying tyre today as this was when the problem was at its worst during the race weekend, so this was interesting also. Overall it’s been a good day for us and hopefully Yamaha can use all this information to our advantage so that we are ready to fight with both riders at the front in Turkey.” Unofficial Lap Times: Marco Melandri (ITA) Fortuna Honda, 1’55.95 VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA) Camel Yamaha Team, 1’56.25 COLIN EDWARDS (USA) Camel Yamaha Team, 1’56.35 Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Team, 1’56.36 Sete Gibernau (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team, 1’56.61 Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team,1’56.77 Toni Elias (SPA) Fortuna Honda, 1’56.86 More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: NON-STOP WORK FOR THE DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM Motivated by the extremely positive result in the Qatar GP, a circuit considered to be the most difficult in the MotoGP World Championship (3rd place for Loris Capirossi and 4th place for Sete Gibernau), the Ducati Marlboro Team men today continued their unrelenting development work on the Ducati Desmosedici GP6 and Bridgestone tyres. With less wind than yesterday’s race day, a very determined Loris Capirossi, the current Championship leader, started to test the engine, chassis set-up and tyres to prepare his Desmosedici for the Turkish GP. Sete Gibernau (Laps: 64 – Best lap time: 1’56.616) “It was a highly positive day. We worked to solve the front end chattering problem that I suffered with yesterday and to improve stability on the straights. The bike has improved and we have learnt one or two things which will be useful on those circuits where we have to race without having tested, like Turkey. We also continued our brilliant work with Bridgestone and today, my pace was better than yesterday. My feeling with my bike improves each time and I’m very happy.” Loris Capirossi (Laps: 40 – Best lap time: 1’56.770) “Another good day. We did several tests on the engine mapping and chassis, introducing small improvements which will be useful in the coming races. With the Bridgestone engineers, we also carried out some tyre tests and collected useful data to improve on similar tracks that lack grip. Yesterday my tyres were working well but we never stop trying to improve! This is a really positive time and we’ll do whatever it takes to continue being strong and competitive!” The Ducati Marlboro Team men are flying home feeling extremely positive about the opening two races of the season, looking forward to the next 15 races and determined to work hard to maintain the high level of competitiveness and equally high position in the World Championship standings. Temperatures: air: 32 ° – track: 35°/47 ° Today’s unofficial lap times: 1) Marco Melandri (Honda)1’55.95 2) Valentino Rossi (yamaha) 1’56.22 3) Colin Edwards (Yamaha)1’56.35 4) Nicky Hayden (Honda) 1’56.36 5) Sete Gibernau (Ducati) 1’56.61 6) Loris Capirossi (Ducati) 1’56.77 7) Toni Elias (Honda) 1’56.86 8) James Elison (Yamaha)1’58.18 More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Honda/Gresini Racing: MELANDRI SETS THE FASTEST TIME AT LOSAIL Work continues for Fortuna Honda team in Doha Losail (Qatar), Sunday, 9th April 2006, Motogp Test The Fortuna Honda riders were back out on track today for a one-day test today. Marco Melandri worked on the weight distribution in order to improve his feeling with the bike. Together with the Team, the Italian rider found some good solutions that allowed him to be fast and consistent. He made a very fast lap with race tyres (1’55″95) and lapped with a good pace. Very positive day also for his team mate Toni Elias who started from the race setting and worked on suspensions in order to improve his pace. The Spaniard leaves Qatar very satisfied for the work done. MARCO MELANDRI (1’55″95): “Today we did a very good job. We worked on weight distribution and tested some radical solutions that gave us a very positive result. We have found a good base that worked very well on this track and that we will verify on other tracks. I had fun riding and I found a good feeling with the bike. I’m very satisfied because today I could ride with the right feeling. I look forward to the next race, that will take place in Istabul, a track very dear to me.” TONI ELIAS (1’56″86): “This morning the weather and track conditions were similar to those of the race so that we could confirm the work done during the race weekend. We worked on suspensions in order to improve my pace and I can say that we have done another step forward. I’m very motivated for the next race.” The MotoGP paddock now has a two and a half week break before the third Grand Prix of the season in Istanbul commences on April 28th. UNOFFICIAL LAP TIMES : 1) Marco Melandri (Honda) 1’55.95 2) Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1’56.22 3) Colin Edwards (Yamaha) 1’56.35 4) Nicky Hayden (Honda) 1’56.36 5) Sete Gibernau (Ducati) 1’56.61 6) Loris Capirossi (Ducati) 1’56.77 7) Toni Elias (Honda) 1’56.86 8) James Ellison (Yamaha)1’58.18

Yamaha Racing Team Dominate Round 1 of the 2006 YMF Loan Australian Superbike Championship Yamaha Racing Team’s Jamie Stauffer has cruised away from the highly competitive Superbike and Supersport fields, taking four stunning consecutive victories at the first round of the YMF Loan Australian Superbike Championship at Eastern Creek today. Stauffer extended his winning streak to ten straight after a similarly dominant showing at the non-championship round earlier in the year, and looks absolutely unstoppable aboard both machines. The factory backed team had a very successful weekend and is positioned at the top of the table in the race for championship honours in both premier classes. Yamaha Racing Team Factory Superbike Pole position for race one had Jamie Stauffer in the best possible position to continue his winning run, and a great start by the #27 bike put pay to the hopes of his competitors as they tore up the track for the first lap. A subsequent red flag from a mid-pack incident brought him back to the back, along with brother Dan, who had made an amazing start to climb to fourth spot in the first few turns. The field had to concede the weekend would be a battle for minor placing’s as Jamie streaked away with the lead, breaking his own race lap record set in 2005 in the process. “It’s certainly been a great weekend for us, the bike was perfect in every way and really used its tyres very well – there is a real synergy between the YZF-R1 chassis and the Dunlop race tyre package” said Stauffer. “The quality of the field was very high and I really had to keep focused on the job at hand with so many of the big name riders from Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki close behind.” “The test was obviously a big advantage to us this weekend and it was fun to be able to cruise around knowing the bike was well sorted.” “It’s a dream result to finish on top in both categories and has been a really professional effort from the team this weekend, I just want to try and keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully go a bit faster” Stauffer said. Dan Stauffer delivered a great supporting result for the team with a strong second race, sticking with the leaders for 5th position. Though not quite having the measure of his brother in terms of pace, he was able to mix it at the pointy end and was pleased with the finish. “It was a good result, we qualified tenth and finished sixth and fifth so that was a good move in the right direction,” said Stauffer. “I feel like I’m riding the best I can, we’re making inroads and though I’m a bit off the pace of Jamie, its only early and there’s a lot of racing to come.” “Fifth in the championship is a pretty good place to be, and I’m looking forward to building on that next month.” Yamaha Racing Team Factory Supersport YRT’s Supersport trio couldn’t have had a better preparation heading into the weekend and it was all too evident when the distinctive blue YZF-R6’s hit the track. Lead by man of the moment Jamie Stauffer, the youngsters Jason O’Halloran and Mark Aitchison provided the back-up as the team eclipsed every preliminary session leading up to Sunday’s race. Stauffer’s speed aboard the YZF-R6 was unbelievable and in each race he was able to cruise away comprehensively, grabbing the maximum haul of points on offer to take the early championship lead. Praising the bike and team, Stauffer also believed that the Dunlop tyre package was a major factor in keeping him clear of the field. “Everything has just been working perfectly, the team, the bike, the tyres, it’s a real winner,” said Stauffer. “The YZF-R6 is really good off the start which is important, allowing me to settle into a steady rhythm quite early in the race which saves the tyres over the distance.” “It’s been a dream start to the year with my new team; hopefully we can keep it up.” Jason O’Halloran rode with a maturity beyond his years, and while unable to catch Stauffer in the lead, looked comfortable and unthreatened in second and third places across the races. Taking 38 valuable series points behind Stauffer’s 50, O’Halloran was very pleased with the start he had made to the new season. “Race one with the second place was exceptionally good and third in that last race was a good way to back up”, O’Halloran. “I didn’t get the best start to the second race but held on and in the end we weren’t really challenged on the way to a 1-2-3.” “I finished with second overall that’s go to bed good for the championship, I’m already looking forward to Perth.” Mark Aitchison’s weekend went from the highest of highs to a crushing low, when, lining up for the start of the first Supersport race on the first row, he was forced to walk his bike to the side of the track with holed radiator caused by a small piece of debris picked up on the warm up lap. It was a disappointing way to begin his championship chase and very rare for a reliability issue to disrupt the professional Yamaha Racing Team’.s race plans, and he was determined to make amends. Aitchison recovered well in the second race of the day, leading momentarily before being passed by his teammate for a solid second place finish, but was still stinging from the earlier failure and sits lower in the championship than he would like. “It was a good start to the weekend, we were on top for pretty much the whole time there and had a good grid position before realising there was a hole in the radiator,” said Aitchison. “I was disappointed initially as I really wanted to be out there fighting for the win, but it made it even more important for me to score a good result in the second race, which I was able to do.” “I lead away the field for a while there and was really had the measure of Jamie in the second race, probably closer than anyone’s been for a while, but not to take anything away from him, he did a great job.” The Yamaha Racing Team will return home to debrief and regroup and look forward to the West Australian race, round two of the championship from May 26-28.