From a championship point of view it would be great if Yamaha poured some 'support' into a Superbike effort in 2011 with Cru behind the bars.

Maybe there will be a Factory seat or 2 at Suzuki in 2011.

What a great future Cru has in front of him.

Well I think it would be essential to see Yamaha get involved in the National Championship - running around in the B grade comp all year is just not acceptable support from one of the big factories.
I hope the Oz buying public has treated them with the disdain they deserve this year.

Yoshi.

Well I think it would be essential to see Yamaha get involved in the National Championship - running around in the B grade comp all year is just not acceptable support from one of the big factories.
I hope the Oz buying public has treated them with the disdain they deserve this year.
Yoshi.

Well I think it would be essential to see Yamaha get involved in the National Championship - running around in the B grade comp all year is just not acceptable support from one of the big factories.
I hope the Oz buying public has treated them with the disdain they deserve this year.
Yoshi.

ooops - sorry about the multi posts - not the yoshi's fault

We're working on getting that prob fixed, Yoshi! I'm excited to see Cru in Superbike and also Yamaha again. I think people may be surprised how quick he learns and I'm pretty sure they are updating his R1 into Superbike spec.

Yoshi, from Yamaha's point of view they are winning the two premier classes in an Australian Championship and get Free to Air TV coverage to boot.

I am with you, I hope Manufacturers can see the benefit and source the budget to support both Championships, even if not as full Factory teams. And this is another reason why Superbike need to find a way to make privateers truly competitive for race and Championship victories.

But Mach, many guys in Superbike running up front are basically privateers this year. Well funded privateers, but they are privateers nonetheless - especially the Honda riders.

For example, Geoff Winzer has been running a very similar set-up for years based out of Wangaratta including with Brookes, Holland, Allerton and co. It's a very similar deal this year, however his budget is expanded through the support of Demolition Plus. He may get added support from Honda since they don't have a factory team anymore, but its still a very similar operation to what it's always been.

Some say Staring is now Honda's factory team, but the reality is that he has some very smart guys working for him who have worked with him for a very long time. There isn't too much factory about that team when it comes to putting the package they have on the race track.

Allerton is another who basically works as a privateer, but has sponsorship behind him via his personal managers. Scott Charlton also did great on the weekend to beat the factory Suzukis on what is essentially a privateer effort. Taking nothing away from Scott, but I'm pretty certain that Waters could win on the Racers Edge bike or at least be in the hunt for victory.

Same with Supersport, Brodie Waters is usually a very top guy in the class and he is far from factory, even beating Herfoss straight up in Darwin. My brother is on a privateer R6 but said after the weekend that his bike was just as competitive as Medcalf when he was near him in race two.

We can't mistake people who are sourcing sponsorship dollars and support to be factory just because they are running up front. I'm one who agrees the whole series should be Superstock spec because there's no real reason to run the bikes they currently are, however I reckon the guys in the championship hunt would still be the same main players.

Agreed AG, Winzer has done great things for a privateer effort, particularly when he was beating the Factory outfit.

The difference I see is that Honda have pulled the factory team, but are now propping up at least two single rider teams. And whilst some of this will be through the folding stuff, it can also be through expertise, knowledge and parts. I reckon the Honda Racing signage says it all.

Its pretty hard to make a call on a rider finishing 24th, versus the guy running out front when you do not know the equipment. Example, Cru Halliday looks bulletproof running around with all the C&D graders, but he will look a little more 'normal' when he steps up.

I guess the answer I am searching for is a way to provide competitive equipment to the masses, without breaking the bank. That is why I think the Superstock route is a good one.

There is no substitute for budget, skill and knowledge, the best guys/girls will always be at the pointy end.

Appreciate the healthy discussion!

It's funny you mention the use of Honda in the team name, because last year we weren't allowed to run Honda next to Motologic Racing since they weren't a factory team as such. This year, it is Demolition Plus GAS Honda Racing and Cougar Bourbon Honda Racing even though they aren't full factory. Also, looking into it even further, Maxwell's press releases come direct from Honda Australia while Staring's are done by his team. All interesting points!!

While on the topic of better equipment, I reckon they should put a restriction on camera sizes in ASBK cos I'm sick of Keithy Muir always outshining me when it comes to taking the podium pictures haha. I already gave up and decided to buy my on-track stuff from him. I'll get him one day lol.

Well done Cru
It's good to see a A grade racer can steal trophys off the real C-D graders. Cru is a good racer winning an Aussie title in Supermoto. The whole Grading system in Aus. is a friggin joke how do you get C-D grade riders like Cru or Beau doing 34-35 at the creek. Both Beau and Cru where D greaders last year [lol] now Beau is B grade [where his abilty realy is] but Cru is only C. I had some friends enter the 4 hour the other day both are dirt trackers. They both got classed as C graders even through it was there first road race. Their lap times where 1.16 and 1.12.

My point is how can A grade racers on dirt bikes or motards be classed as D graders when they start road racing.
they all ready have bike skills and race craft.

Well done Cru
It's good to see a A grade racer can steal trophys off the real C-D graders. Cru is a good racer winning an Aussie title in Supermoto. The whole Grading system in Aus. is a friggin joke how do you get C-D grade riders like Cru or Beau doing 34-35 at the creek. Both Beau and Cru where D greaders last year [lol] now Beau is B grade [where his abilty realy is] but Cru is only C. I had some friends enter the 4 hour the other day both are dirt trackers. They both got classed as C graders even through it was there first road race. Their lap times where 1.16 and 1.12.

My point is how can A grade racers on dirt bikes or motards be classed as D graders when they start road racing.
they all ready have bike skills and race craft.